Contract between Brady, US law firm puzzles Gov't

INFROMATION Minister Daryl Vaz says he is hoping that an amended contract letter between attorney-at-law Harold Brady and international law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips -- which the prominent lawyer claimed corrected the error on a document naming him as government consultant -- will be produced soon.

"I am hoping a statement will be issued shortly to clarify and that copies of whatever amended documentation which was promised is given, so it can be clear," Vaz said.

Vaz was puzzled as to how a contract signed in October 2009 between Brady's law firm and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, could have Brady named as a consultant to the Jamaican Government.

"If anyone has signed or done anything saying they are on behalf of the Government, they must provide that evidence so whatever sanction need to be carried out, are carried out," Vaz told journalists at yesterday's post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House in Kingston.

The information minister was making reference to questions raised in the House of Parliament Tuesday by Opposition member Dr Peter Phillips about whether the Government had engaged the services of a US law firm to deal with economic and political matters, including existing treaties, between the US and Jamaica.

His questions apparently stemmed from the current standoff between Jamaica and the US over the extradition of Tivoli strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

But in a statement yesterday, Brady denied that he acted on behalf of the Jamaica Government in dealings with the US firm. He also denied providing any legal services at all to the Government.

"Certain statements were made in Parliament yesterday (Tuesday) which suggest that the relationship between Brady & Co and Manatt Phelps creates "contractual obligation involving the Government of Jamaica and relates to extradition matters," he stated.

"I refute entirely as baseless the assertions made by the member of parliament and as it is stated in the contract from which he quoted "When you sign this letter, it becomes a contract between you (Brady & Co) and us (Manatt Phelps & Phillips").

"A footnote to the letter states that in a contract to the Government of Jamaica. That is not correct and that footnote was corrected," Brady added.

Vaz, in the meantime, insisted that the Government had not contracted Brady nor any law firm to deal with any extradition matters.

According to Vaz, the current extradition matter involving Coke, wasbeing dealt with through the Attorney's General office.

"The Government has no contractual agreement with Harold Brady and Company or any other private law firms in relation to the current extradition matter or has paid any money in relation to any law firm to do with this matter," he insisted.

He said the arrangements between Brady and the US firm warranted further investigations.

"That is something that would have to be pursued because that is a misrepresentation to say the least in terms of a sensitive matter like that on top of which you are purporting to be representing a foreign state," Vaz said.

-- Ingrid Brown

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