Rich Jamaican businessman under US probe

Sunday, March 21, 2010

THE finances of a well-connected Jamaican businessman, who heads a list of about 30 with massive unexplained wealth, is now the subject of intense scrutiny by the US authorities who have asked Jamaica to gather evidence about how the wealth was accumulated.

A Florida grand jury, which is investigating the activities of an investment organisation, made the request through the United States Attorney General's office to the relevant authority in Jamaica.

The Sunday Observer was told that the United States made the request to Jamaica late last year under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), and that that request was one of a few now before the Jamaican authorities.

Information reaching the Sunday Observer is that the businessman has long been under surveillance for illicit activities, including money laundering, as well as human and drug trafficking, even though he tries to operate below the radar.

US officials are said to have zoned in on the US$80-million he used to pay for a franchise, which has subsequently been broken down into several companies under one umbrella. One of the companies in particular has attracted the interest of the grand jury, necessitating the request.

The US believes that monies from the investment organisation were laundered through that specific company.

The purchase is said to have raised red flags in the United States, as although the fairly young businessman has access to immense cash, his personal wealth appears to be excessive.

The businessman has also been linked to the trafficking of Eastern European women between Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The allegation is that he flew the women here, where they engaged in high-priced prostitution on the North Coast. After that, they were flown to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On Friday, state officials declined to comment on the case, or any other, arguing that MLAT matters are confidential.

Contacted for comment on the MLAT process, former attorney general and minister of justice A J Nicholson referred the Sunday Observer to former National Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips who, he said, would be better able to provide information.

Dr Phillips told the Sunday Observer that he could not recall any MLAT request being denied by Jamaica during his tenure.

"I am not sure if there has been a change under this Government, but certainly up to my time, the designated authority in Jamaica was the DPP (director of public prosecutions). And there is a reason for this. This office is independent, and has investigating powers. A government must make sure that such investigations are carried out by such an office," Phillips said.

He said it was not automatic that the minister know of the requests, but out of courtesy, the relevant individuals may be advised by the ambassador of the requesting state before the request is finalised.

He said, however, that if the "particular situation is a sensitive matter, and one that will affect the country's reputation as a whole, the minister could be told by the DPP".

Under the treaty, the central authority in Jamaica is the minister of justice or his/her designee, while in the US it is the United States attorney general.

Before denying or postponing assistance, the central authority of the requested state is required to determine whether help can be given in whole, or in part, subject to such conditions it deems necessary.

However, if the requested state accepts such conditions, that state "is obligated to inform the requesting state as soon as possible of its reasons for denying or postponing assistance".

The treaty also requires that specific information be contained in the request, including but not limited to the law enforcement authority involved, the subject matter and nature of the proceedings for which the request is being sought, and the purpose for which the assistance is sought.

The central authority of each party to the treaty is also required to comply promptly .with a request or immediately advise the requesting state of any objections it has to its request.

However, a highly placed source here said that up to last Thursday the US has not received a response in relation to the businessman's case.

According to one source, the businessman is said to have boasted that he cannot be touched as he is protected by the Jamaican Government.

Last week, Dr Phillips lamented the damage being done to Jamaica's image in relation to treaty matters.

"We are not looking good at this moment with respect to respecting treaties," he said. "There is a growing question mark about the integrity of Jamaica's commitment to honour treaties or to be willing and committed parties in the effort against crime, money laundering, drug and human trafficking."

A Sunday Observer source said the US makes an average of three enquiries to Jamaica per month under the MLAT.

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COMMENTS (24)

Trevor Dawes
3/21/2010

Come on now, people. Everybody know seh if a poor man come eena a whol' heap a money all of a sudden 'im is ida a gun-runna, ganja deala, well connected to some big shot politico/biz type, eena di cocaine biz or 'im a big-time gangsta leada. When 'im start fi do bizniz wid di Americans dem then yuh know seh is just a matta of time before they want him fi face American justice. When yuh have corruption suh widespread inna Jamaica and yuh can pay off di police and the politician dem yuh nuh haffi worry bout Jamaican justice. A suh it go and oonu all know it. Dat is my opinion.

tina chambers
3/21/2010

Well!!! Well!! it is hard to think that Jamaica is the 10th poorest country in the world and the 3rd happiest......

Elaine Brown
3/21/2010

When I read the comments I somehow feel that the United States is winning with their strategy of divide and rule. Come on Jamaicans, wake up and do not be used, again.

Jay Brown
3/21/2010

Mr moderate give my people d full hundred,
People google " Rich Jamaican business man under US probe" wordpress.
Get d full hundred.

T G
3/21/2010

_/_/_/_/ Last week, Dr Phillips lamented the damage being done to Jamaica's image in relation to treaty matters. _/_/_/_/
When you quote Comrade Dr. Peter Phillips it would be helpful to also mention that Comrade Phillips was a former Minster of Security during which Jamaica had one of the highest crime rates in its history and that his Constituency was the number three killing ground in Jamaica.
Talk about damaging our image can't be any less than been known as the murder capital of the world. for years!

josh davis
3/21/2010

i hope that patriot lose every cent..jbet him nuh invest a dime in ja.

james wood
3/21/2010

america's biggest business is their arms industry they make their money by selling guns and gunshots to other countries, they became rich and powerfull by waging war on other nations and then steal their resources. Do you believe they are interested in ridding jamaica of corruption?They just want it all for themselves. Wake up jamaican people dont sellout our business people to america.

Jay Brown
3/21/2010

Riddle mi this and riddle me that.
"What's the name of a fertile piece of land in the desert, and what do you pick up on the sea shore.".
Google investforlife for the answer if you are not bright to figure it out.

george watson
3/21/2010

Robert Henry’s concern is that the USA is picking on Jamaica, not whether the story is true and by extension the allegations. Yes Robert, the USA cannot allow such hanky panky in its back yard and anything like sudden and unexplained wealth usually involves crimes against them. I still can’t figure out Beresford Davidson’s posts on here and whether he is talking tongue in cheek or whether he is serious. If he is serious then he must be about 100 people because one man’s utterances could not by any means be so stupid.
Many rich young businessmen (and policemen and motor-vehicle examiners, and other government servants) must be quaking in their boots. There seems to be so many of them around these days. As Paul Lewis says, Jamaica seems to be the only country where one does not seem to have to account for sudden and unexplained wealth…..he doesn’t even have to pay income tax.
Yes indeed the chickens are coming home to roost.

JA Cynic
3/21/2010

Questions have always been asked about the sorce of funding for various political activities eg Tainted money saga, campaign finance, UFO's funding political parties, lobby efforts etc.
Inadequate answers have been provided.
Now our unwashed & tattered underwear is being hung out to international viewing.Jamaica to the world & we all are ashamed.
JA Cynic

Yard Vibz
3/21/2010

Because we are so deeply embedded in the “back bush” mentality, our reluctance to accept and adapt to established protocol, designed by developed countries, has become our most implacable barrier to civilization. Unlike yard, where a man can buy ½ dozen tractor trailers cash, and calls himself an entrepreneur without any form of repercussion; up North that’s not how it goes, because Uncle Sam has his things well sorted out and him nuh inna di chaka-chaka thing. Many in our medieval society are not aware that, if an American resident (legal resident) deviates from his/her established lifestyle, without legitimate documentation to substantiate a sudden spike in asset accumulation; such person will be targeted by authorities. So if a person drove a deportee for 10 years and suddenly went out and purchased a Mercedes, Uncle Sam might not knock on his door and ask about the high-roller, but he will Google same to connect all the dots. I don’t wish to sound as if I condone that principle, because man and man caan hustle and buy a nice whip, but a Fi dem country suh wi just afi low dem cauz dem wi send wi home go roast breadfruit. Peace out!

Hero Carlito
3/21/2010

They won't print names till the libel law is change. One wonders if some of the stories are true. Most newspapers will print stories that are not true but will sell the newspaper. If the libel law fee is low then they will print names even if the stories are not true. They might end up in court and pay a little fee from the million of dollars from the sold newspapers.

Patrick Metz
3/21/2010

If your information in this article is factual, names should be mentioned.

Lincoln Oliver
3/21/2010

And the saga continues.....our whole country is under scrutiny....all because of one man....ahh boi!

Keelah W
3/21/2010

Brooklyn Jamaica, perhaps the Jamaica Observer wishes not to become tired of *law suits*. I can't recall any publication winning one based on the "But it was a serious story!" defence. (Or there could be other obvious reasons.)

K G
3/21/2010

Maybe if he had invested in Jamaica those 80 million, the US might not be questioning as to where his wealth was obtained. These so called patriots who the gov't is willing to spend tax payers money to defend them, need to open their damn bank accounts and pay for their own legal defense.

Brooklyn Jamaican
3/21/2010

Aren't you guys tired of publishing "drop word", stories?
If its that serious. call names and stand by your story.

Oniel Richard
3/21/2010

Wow...and the saga continues..But then again this is not surprising.

Paul Lewis
3/21/2010

" The higher monkey climb ,the more him expose ." Jamaica is one of the countries on Earth , where there is no need to account for sudden wealth. Your contribution to the political parties or ranking law /outlaw men, will ensure you years of bliss. Since we have always been a class based society, there will never be open talk about Johnny and his dollars. As long as you have it , " it no matter whey yu get it ". If there is any nosy authority person sniffing around , just keep two big Christmas or Independence Treat and the community will protect you. It is no wonder the classic Jamaican dream is to get some dollars and come " Pallave ".

3/21/2010

This is a fascinating story, US$80m and he invested it all in the US. I hope they take it all from him.

Beresford Davidson
3/21/2010

Boy, life rough! A man cannot even make a decent change without all these inquiries up and under you. Some business people must be allowed to have while others deemed unworthy to have must find comfort staying without 'nutten,' all their years because of their humble beginnings. That is not cricket! A man is good by his works, back off and leave him be as long as he is not causing loss of life or opportunities to others. A man must 'mek ah change. Nutten wrong wid dat!'

robert henry
3/21/2010

This is A joke. why is the USA picking on Jamaicans. What about the Africans who have plunder and ravage a continent of BILLIONS of $, and invested in your country.Should they not be under probe, i do not want to call names, but I could name 10 without to much thinking. Uncle Sam please stop the double standard, we kmow why you are picking on Jamaica, we have no gold, diamond or oil.

Chuck Emanuel
3/21/2010

When all is said and done, those who lead our people will be measured by the guiding principles of integrity, morality and the rule of law.
Jamaicans in the diaspora and those at home who have stood firmly over the years against crime, criminalty and corruption in our country, must be congratulated for seeking and gaining the assistance of the United States Government in helping to dismantle the links between the political leadership, the narco-terrorists, some in the private sector and a criminal class who are emboldened and empowered to set up crime factories on the door steps of the United States.
The game is up !.

www.discount-iphone.com Blackberry
3/21/2010

To many people have wealth these day without explanation

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