VIDEO: Vaz produces copy of Golding's Paraguay trip cheque

Thursday, June 23, 2011

MINISTER with responsibility for information Daryl Vaz has produced a copy of a cheque which he said is proof that Prime Minister Bruce Golding's trip to Paraguay last week was not paid for by Government contractor YP Seaton.

The $730,000-cheque, made from Golding's personal account at the Bank of Nova Scotia, carries a June 14 date -- the day before he, his son Stephen, Vaz and five other persons left for the South American country for a bird-shooting expedition.

At yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston, where journalists were shown the copy of the cheque, Vaz maintained that not only did Golding pay his own airfare and that of his son, but he had been going on these missions with Seaton since the early 1990s.

Explaining that Seaton has been organising these trips for years, Vaz said the contractor would advance payment for group members who travel on these expeditions, using his travel agency and is later reimbursed.

In fact, Vaz said last week's trip was the seventh such for the prime minister, the last being in 2010.

"This trip is in no way, shape, or form a gift to the prime minister or his son," Vaz said.

The provision of the cheque copy was in response to a newspaper article on Sunday suggesting that the trip was paid for by Seaton. The report triggered calls from the Opposition for the matter to be thoroughly investigated.

Yesterday, Vaz, in noting that the friendship between Seaton and Golding goes back 40 years, said he would welcome any legitimate investigation into the matter.

"The prime minister and myself welcome any legitimate investigations... the prime minister fills out his Integrity Commission form every year and has absolutely nothing to hide," he said.

Vaz said he did not need to defend Seaton, whom he described as a reputable grade one contractor who has been in the business since 1969 and who had been awarded several major contracts through competitive tender under both administrations.

Earlier in the day, the Opposition People's National Party (PNP) called on the commissioner of police to investigate the matter.

The call came after Contractor General Greg Christie, who the PNP had earlier asked to investigate the financial relationship between Golding and Seaton, said that the matter should be referred to the police and the Director of Public Prosecutions as it was outside his mandate.

"If, therefore, the substance of the referenced allegation is that the prime minister has merely received a gift from YP Seaton and Associates Limited, and there is credible evidence to support the veracity of the allegation, then the matter, in the OCG's considered view, should be directed to the Commissioner of Police and/or the Director of Prosecutions, and not the OCG," Christie said in a release.

He said "Section 4 (3) (g) of the October 2010 Government of Jamaica Handbook of Public Sector Procurement Procedures, which came into force on January 2, 2011, expressly provides that 'Public Officers shall not accept gifts from current or potential GOJ contractors'.

Christie also used to opportunity to point out that $2.698 billion in contracts — endorsed by the National Contracts Commission — were awarded to YP Seaton & Associates Limited between May 2001 and November 2010. He said 17 of the 35 endorsements, amounting to as much as $2.306 billion, were "effected since October 1, 2007", a month after the Golding's Jamaica Labour Party administration took office.

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COMMENTS (29)

Vul C
6/23/2011

Enough mileage wasnt gained form Manatt and the withdrawal of the censure motion deprived the PNP the oppurtunity to appear as relevant, so whats the next brilliant political strategy? who paid for the birdshooting trip! mind you, they have a point cause at least they can say Trafigura paid for their campaign and not the tax payers! laughable to say the least...

mark jones
6/23/2011

To Bruce and the JLP one more year to go...by what miracle are you all going to try and salvage your collective reputations....even Vaz of all persons conceded it looks improper.

Tom Stroke
6/23/2011

Grandma was spot on when she said "Empty barrels makes the most noise". I see the PNP including Peter Phillips who sold us out shouting about Mr Golding's trip, however there is not a word about what their new best friend, the USA said in the wiki document that the PNP paid their dons not to demonstrate in 2005. Since checks are being produce, can we also get some documentation of how much was paid to these dons and which dons were paid? Where is the check to show payment to Trafigura?

dee jay
6/23/2011

Ethics is my only concern with this one, whoever is advising the Pm needs to be fired! However here we are, show me a better candidate for this time.......hmmmmm? smh, PNP still licking their wounds, i would love to give them another chance and see what they would have done differently.... after all they were sleeping for all of 18yrs all that time we were living in the dream.....free dem up mek dem demonstrate all they ave learnt since waking up! :)

alti shaw
6/23/2011

give the man a break. we have been aiding and abetting corruption from devil was a bwoy. we buy drivers license, forged signature, tamper invoices etc. it is totally wrong, but take a look in the mirror and start cleaning up our own selves, and stop supporting curroption. PNP is so HOLY,

Sonia Ellis
6/23/2011

Mr. Vaz needs to show the actual cheque that has been negotiated by Mr. Seaton's bank and paid by Mr. Golding's bank if he wats to prove that this money was refunded. However Mr. Golding should have initially paid for his own trip to prevent an appearance of conflict. He should be more intelligent than that. Mr. Golding is a PUBLIC official not a PRIVATE one and as such should never Comingle. He is sure the master of "comingling". Just showing a copy of a cheque proves nothing.

alti shaw
6/23/2011

You all give the man a break. we are the same one who have been aiding and abetting coruption since devil was a bwoy. everything we willing to let off something and pay our way through, you scratch my back i scratch yours. it is wrong but let us take a look in the mirror and start with ourselves.

Pierre Buckley
6/23/2011

It's nice to see that we are starting to scrutinize our politicians more and holding them more accountable for their actions. I find that this case has been thoroughly explained by Vaz and should be put to rest now. The fact is that the PM has to exercise greater vigilance in the future in his financial dealings to ensure it is not interpreted as being an act of corruption.
The country has bigger issues to digest. Lets not waste our time on trivial and obviously misinterpreted cases like this.

Derrick Allen
6/23/2011

Will somebody stop crying wolf & fire when it's just someone preparing breakfast. The Sunday Herald would have done better had they investigated before publishing. Word of caution, politicians aren't allowed a social life unless they wear the right colour. The social circle is very small in Ja; this is not the USA, pop. size. We spent the greater part of 18 yrs ignoring corruption now looking for it in every move. One PM got a retirement job, go investigate. Partisan HYPOCRITES we are.

The Yardboy
6/23/2011

That cheque in and of itself does not prove anything. They need to produce the copy of the cheque which has cleared the banking system when it becomes available, At that time the cancelled cheque should have the same cheque number, date and other particulars as the one displayed. If they cannot provide such a cheque when they get the bank statement it would only prove that there was an attempt at a cover-up.

Pauline Green
6/23/2011

@Ramon Castro - By law, the US President can only allowed to travel on Airforce One for all air travel - he is not allowed to use commercial air travel - and this cost is paid for by taxpayers. However, we, the taxpayers do not pay for his Hawaiian vacations or any other vacation. Please get your facts straight. Thanks!

Rudy Reds
6/23/2011

"Christie also used to opportunity to point out that $2.698 billion in contracts — endorsed by the National Contracts Commission — were awarded to YP Seaton & Associates Limited between May 2001 and November 2010. He said 17 of the 35 endorsements, amounting to as much as $2.306 billion, were "effected since October 1, 2007", a month after the Golding's Jamaica Labour Party administration took office."
So very important!!!

Paul Gentles
6/23/2011

Incompetence?Negligence? or just dont care a damn what the nation thinks?
Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never... Upstanding citizens talk about standing up for their rights and for justice and they are quickly labelled by thugs as "belonging to the opposition" and use this excuse to try and tarnish and set upon the righteous citizen.

Jakan 2011
6/23/2011

We are really in a sad state when the PM has to publicly display his bank affairs. It's as though his money is no longer his.
He should have shut his mouth and let the police and DPP investigate and lock up the loud mouths for creating PUBLIC MISCHIEF. THEN they would appreciate free speech. The JLP REALLY is made up of NAIVE people.

Wa Tch
6/23/2011

Golding adopted a stance (paragon of virtue) that has come back to haunt him. One is forced to ask whether such stance was ever sincere and it makes him vulnerable to a barrage of charges when he fails to act consistently with positions he adopted. This kind of gift taking is nothing new but he set himself up.
As to the cheque, W Morgan makes a good point. Now we are wondering whether it back dated, really lodged or whether the payment is a first time thing.

Clive Mortley
6/23/2011

My JLP friends have you ever hear these names Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney, 'Dan Rostenkowski, William Jefferson, James A. Traficant, and Richard Kelly, these are men went to prison for corruption. This is why I like the American system. In this country Bruce Golding Prime Minister, could not have a contractor who received over 2.3 billion dollars from the government paid for his vacation, in no shape or form without the Ethics Committee all over him for impropriety and corruption. Golding has prefect the Art of shooting himself in the foot and Daryl Vaz is not doing justice in explaining, the more he talks, the more it sound unbelievable.

2kool .
6/23/2011

The reason Golding and every politician has to be constantly scrutinized on every minor details is because all of us - pnp, jlp and all Jamaicans are tired of our tax dollars going to the pockets of corrupt characters, dons, extortionists, and associates. As the OCG stated over 2 billion dollars awarded in 3 years to this contractor. It does require an investigation.

W Morgan
6/23/2011

Didn't know BNS became so efficient - being able to produce a copy of a cancelled cheque within a week. Wonder what that service cost. Good Morning in BNS costs 5bills + tax.

Dorlan Francis
6/23/2011

We are getting very ridiculous. The next thing we will hear is that EVERY BREATH the PM takes is a GIFT from GOD and that should be investigated also.

Devon T
6/23/2011

I think the Opposition would have rather give this contract to Danhai and Skeng Don. alk bout integrity and have no idea what the blooming word means. it was Omar Davis who told PNP party faithfuls that Bruce is no fool (unlike the cry babys on the other side.

Anthony II
6/23/2011

We need to start teaching Jamaicans about ETHICAL CONDUCT; in particular, how not to engage in activities that give the impression of/suffer from potential impropriety, even if no real breach has occurred. "Ethical conduct" is not limited only to issues of honesty; it extends to issues of conflict of interest (government contractor organizing trip that includes PM and PM's son). So, even if at times no real dishonesty has occurred, a transaction could be "improper" b/c of the parties involved.

Trevor Harris
6/23/2011

I don't trust these men, their words can't be believed.Producing a cheque proves nothing it could be written after the fact .Knowing the scrutiny that would evolve why not remove all doubts and suspicions by paying for his ticket instead of having it paid for and them do a reimbursement.
The contractor general has also made some startling revelations, between '01 and '07 Y P Seaton got .4 billiln dollars with of contract and between '07 and now 2.3 billion.Thats what friends are for.

Larry Simpson
6/23/2011

Normally whenever a check is written you do not photocopy the check, each check book normally carries a record page so you can keep a tap on your expenditures. There can be no dispute that a check was issued and cash at a bank because there would be bank details to show that the money was in fact turned over to whomever. This looks a bit fishy and the PM needs to clarify the situation. We want first world living conditions but are constantly rejecting the professional conduct that comes with it.

wanda woeman
6/23/2011

Mr. Editor, we don’t buy this argument. The PM would have to show us the cancelled cheques for the other years that that he travelled with Mr. Seaton to Paraguay. We need to see the other reimbursement cheques by the other parties as well and see if this could be for any favors received. Who were the other parties on the trip? Surely the PM must have known that this cannot look good. He has to be more forthcoming to the Jamaican people. We need to hear from him on this one and not from Mr. Vaz as this goes to the very heart of corruption. In the P/S if the prime minister was in charge of contracts and had done something like this he would be looking for a job today.

Ramon Castro
6/23/2011

Lawd have mercy!! who do you think paid for Obama's Hawaii vacations and the use of Air Force for USA presidents which they generally use for political campaigns? The taxpayers. I guess, if Golding bill the taxpayers he would be considered committing treason. The PNP have nothing better to do than to make a mountain ouf a mold hill? Tell us what plans you have for the country and stop your politricking. Why it is that the PNP "MEN" like to get into political cass cass.

Anthony C
6/23/2011

Daryl had said yesterday it was YP Seaton who bought the ticket but the prime minister had reimbursed him,this was the reason why the CG said it is a DPP,police issue because he must not accept gifts from Gov't Contractors.We hear everyday how the PNP accepted 31M from Trafigura and up until this day the billions that was spent by the JLP as early as 06 we are yet to hear where it came from, not that anyone will be able to recall but who have eyes will see and who have ears will hear.

Jay Brown
6/23/2011

Bruce 2, PSM 0.
Is the PNP being deliberately mislead so they can come out looking "incredible".
Next case....

Anthony C
6/23/2011

Only yesterday i brought this up in a posting which did not get posted for whatever reason,If Bruce thought the motion against PP was of any importance why would he have gone on bird shooting trip? wouldn't he stayed in parliament and defend the rights of the die hard labourites who posted comment here claiming that PP sell their constitutional rights to the US.If it was Portia doing these things i can assure it would be bangarang the comments i would be seeing.

Jay Brown
6/23/2011

Its definitely the start of the silly season

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VIDEO: Vaz produces copy of Golding's Paraguay trip cheque