DARYL Vaz yesterday denied an allegation that he owes hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes and suggested that a rumour that he did has political undertones.

Vaz, in a statement, said that it was certainly not coincidental that this allegation started upon the announcement of his intention to contest for the general secretary post of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) “and is being published within days of the JLP Central Executive meeting” at which an election for party posts will be held.

Vaz said that since announcing his intention to run for JLP general secretary he has been formally and informally communicated with by several individuals and media houses on this allegation and has responded accordingly.

“None of these media houses thought it necessary to print or air any story on this matter as there is clearly nothing untoward to report on,” he said. “It is, however, no surprise that a local weekly with a blatant political bias has once again sought to sully my name with a most ridiculous, sensational and malicious story without seeking a response or clarification from me.”

Vaz, who is also the information minister, did not name the weekly of which he spoke, but called on the Press Association of Jamaica, particularly in light of its celebration of National Journalism Week, “to not allow politically driven media interests to continually dishonour the name of Jamaica’s hard-working and responsible community of journalists”.

He said that as at November 2010, based on a current agreement with the Tax Department, neither he, nor any company that he is involved with, has any outstanding matter with the Tax Department.

He said that he has interest in a company that was recently audited by the Tax Department. “The audited period was for the years 2005 to 2008 and the assessment was received in late 2009. The matter was dealt with through the objection process and an agreement and payment terms were finalised between the Tax Department and the company’s auditors, which the company directors will adhere to,” he said.

“The terms of the agreement are standard, and as such similar to those other companies enjoy. This is standard for thousands of other companies in Jamaica and is therefore no way outside the norm,” Vaz added.

He said that the matter was dealt with at the Tax Audit and Assessment Department and “at no time” did he seek to appeal to the Ministry of Finance or the minister for any write-off or waivers, which is an avenue open to and often used by companies faced with similar issues.