Damning recordings played in court

BY PAUL HENRY Observer staff reporter henryp@jamaicaobserver.com

Thursday, March 25, 2010

THE court yesterday got an insight into what appears to be an alleged attempt by former junior energy minister Kern Spencer to cover his tracks before and after the Office of the Contractor General began investigating the Cuban light bulb scandal which broke in late 2007.

Attendants in the number two courtroom of the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court, where the Cuban light bulb trial is being conducted, were quiet as a mouse at the playing of 23 of the much-anticipated recordings of alleged conversations between Spencer and Crown witness Rodney Chin.

The recordings were made by Chin between November 2007 and February 2008.

On one of the barely audible recordings, a voice said to be that of Spencer was heard asking Chin to assist in covering how the company Helpline, which was supposed to provide public relations work for the project, came by $2.7 million.

Spencer had told Chin that he should try to get the promoters of the ATI series of weekend parties to say that the $2.7 million was paid by ATI to Helpline for its public relations services.

But Chin objected, telling Spencer that ATI was made up of partners from both major political parties and that they would not agree to this.

Helpline, Chin told the court yesterday, was owned and operated by Spencer's co-accused Coleen Wright.

Chin said that Spencer had told him that Helpline was printing T-shirts and other paraphernalia to inform the public about the distribution project.

Chin also told the court that he never saw any of the T-shirts or paraphernalia.

In another conversation Spencer had asked Chin to backdate a letter, which included an invoice, for the company Universal Management Development Limited, which was supposed to be in charge of the distribution of the four million energy-saving light bulbs that were given to Jamaica by the Cuban government.

The problem was, however, that Universal was not in existence in June 2006, the date which Chin was supposed to sign the letter with the invoice.

But Chin objected to the request, informing Spencer that this move was fraudulent and that it would not work. But in a series of calls to Chin, Spencer kept insisting that he (Chin) backdate the letter.

Chin told the court yesterday that he eventually signed the letter in 2007.

Chin again repeated his assertion that he was just a frontman for the companies that were formed to take advantage of the project and that he knew nothing of their operation.

Another of the recordings heard Spencer asking Chin if he had heard from Jamaica Labour Party General Secretary Karl Samuda or the director of public prosecutions, Paula Llewellyn.

Chin could be heard assuring Spencer that there was no need for him to worry.

Asked yesterday by Llewellyn why he kept assuring Spencer, Chin said he was concerned about his own safety and that he wanted to keep Spencer talking.

"At that point, for my own safety, I wanted him to feel comfortable...," Chin replied.

Spencer also wanted to know if Chin had "mentioned Wright's name" to his lawyer.

Spencer yesterday appeared concerned as the tapes were being played as he gave an attentive ear. The People's National Party member of Parliament for North East St Elizabeth could be seen shaking his head in apparent disbelief to what was being said.

Spencer and co-accused Coleen Wright are facing corruption-related charges stemming from the distribution of the light bulbs, which ended up costing Jamaican taxpayers millions of dollars.

The trial continues today.

POST A COMMENT

You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.

HOUSE RULES

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.

COMMENTS (7)

george watson
3/25/2010

If found guilty then he should and I am sure, will be treated just like anybody else. Public officials MUST realize that they must be like Caesar's wife.

orlando chambers
3/25/2010

yaaaawwwnnnnn, the age old story of politcs, come clean, leave dirty, whats new?

John Smith
3/25/2010

Funny how there are no issues about Freedom of Expression regarding these recordings. Is it that a third party recording a conversation is illegal, while one party taking part in a conversation can record that conversation without the knowledge or consent of the other party? Y'all know what I'm referring to...
Let it be known that the JLP was not 'born in 2007' - they are a product of the same curropt practices that have been dogging Jamaican progress for decades. The only thing with Mr Spencer - at least it seems to be - is that he's novice and clearly didn't have the connections and influence to have this swept under the carpet.
I find it interesting though, that Mr. Chin just took it upon himself to do these recordings. I suspect some strange behind the scenes political deadlings with this.

Hope Alive
3/25/2010

@ Gene Knall, sympathizers to the JLP like you should write. People knew that the PNP Govt was corrupt. But for corruption in two years!

Gene Knall
3/25/2010

Eh -eh? Nobody nuh have nutten fi say? What, is only PNP people post anti-government comments on this website? If this was a story about Joe Hibbert or Harold Brady, there would be 20 comments by now. Interesting when the shoe is on the other foot, nobody have anything to say.

Wayne L
3/25/2010

If them guilty, lock them away. I hope the government hurry up and pass the law to establish the office of special prosecutor to deal with all the corruption especially of politicians. This offce should have tenure and be immune from all political influence.

Eddie Edwards
3/25/2010

This policy of moderating comments are a kill joy. Other papers coments are post instantly. How you a go expect people fi write comment and den dem no get publish. What sense does that make? Den you all talk about Freedom of the Press. Do away wid the comments and let thoughts and cumments run free. That is true freedom of the press.
Want freedom of the press and still a practice a little China and Iran Policy. Cho man do betta dan dat.

Do you feel buying into Facebook now is a good investment for the long-run?
	Yes
	No

View Results
Results published weekly in Sunday Finance

Username:
Password:

Teen killed for laughing at man who fell from bicycle

Damning recordings played in court