US probing 3 gov't ministers

‘Dudus’ Grand Jury says officials blocking information

BY INVESTIGATIVE COVERAGE UNIT icu@jamaicaobserver.com

Monday, April 05, 2010

THREE unnamed senior government ministers are now under the microscope of the Grand Jury of the Southern District Court of New York which indicted Christopher 'Dudus' Coke last August on alleged gun and drug trafficking charges.

Well-informed Observer sources said the Americans are contending that the Jamaican Government officials had conspired to prevent information from reaching the Grand Jury in the Coke case — the latest in the fallout from the Manatt Phelps and Phillips law firm controversy.

Investigators probing breaches of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) involving the Government of Jamaica, and the US law firm are piecing together evidence they say will expose the alleged link between the government officials, Manatt Phelps and Phillips, and Coke, the Tivoli Gardens strongman.

The Observer sources said the investigators were focusing on two areas: conspiracy to prevent information reaching the Grand Jury, and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The investigators believe that the firm's service was retained by officials connected to the Government, to lobby Washington not to pressure Jamaica to extradite Coke. In that regard, several influential Americans connected to the US administration were contacted by the law firm, including the administration's nominee as Ambassador to Niger.

"A file from the probe was sent to the Grand Jury, in which the finger was pointed directly at the law firm and the Jamaican Government and the continued delay in the extradition warrant being discharged," the source said.

Opposition spokesman, Dr Peter Phillips who first raised the Manatt, Phelps and Phillips issue in the Parliament, said Good Friday that the matter was still wide open, as information filed by the company to United States officials up to Holy Thursday and that provided by government officials here was at variance.

"No, it's not over. It can't be over when the disparity between the two positions, that of the Government, and that of the firm, leaves too many unanswered questions..." Phillips told the Observer.

The Government said it had no dealings with Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, while the firm is maintaining that it had represented the Government and was paid US$50,000 on its US$100,000 invoice.

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COMMENTS (21)

Gene Ross
4/5/2010

This is such a disgrace and a disappointment in a government that Jamaicans had hope in. But now it makes one wonders the means that was used to gain power in 2007. Golding and his government is severely ruining Jamaica. They have failed miserably. The people of Jamaica has no alternative but insisting that they demit office immediately. Such a wste, a shame and a disgrace!

Jesse Fraser
4/5/2010

The power that this man has, the sway that this man holds over the Govt is unseemly.
There is no nice way of puttings this. When three government ministers are actively seeking to block information from the grand jury that is investigating this man, all any well-thinking Jamaican can call for is that the three be tarred and feathered. LOL Mi haffi laugh...

Sercy Miller
4/5/2010

It's funny how things go in Jamaica, Dudus right now probable worry about his safety. B/c if he goes to jail he's most likely will die just like his dad, b/c too many big names will be up call if he's extradited to the US...I bet the Gov't right now is planning to kill him and say he was in a shoot out with the police....Then many innocent lives will be lost with Bad man and police in shoot out all over JA..

trevor harris
4/5/2010

Story coming to bump.These guys seem to believe they can fools us for long . Have they never heard the saying : Whats done in darkness , will eventually come to light. They are only digging themselves deeper and deeper. Who remember the famous or infamous words of the much maligned Renato Decordova Valentino Adams "JAMAICA IS GOING TO PAY DEARLY , DEARLY , DEARLY FOR THIS "

4/5/2010

Listen man Golding pussyfooted around with this matter and he deserves whatever scandal comes crashing at his door.
America not into any foolishness anymore. The man was arrogant and dismissive and it looks like he lied too.
What a bangarang!

james bond
4/5/2010

Yes story cum to bump or yes now Spanish Town Uncle Sam gonna beat you with the Dudus Stick.
What a shame! Bruce let us all down, deep in my heart i believed Bruce was playing a game with the public especially Tivoli Gardens, but behind closed doors he was saying tek him fast and gwan.
Bruce very sad to say, you caught the ball and drop it. If as reported, you and your government is finished, so do the honourable thing and step down as PM. Because of fear of the Dons of Tivoli and protecting the corrupt big officials you have brought down your government.
A word of wisdom for Dudus, surrender yourself whilst you have time to the US Marshals in the company of your lawyer and a priest, if you fail to do this you will be DEAD just like your DAD, the GOJ will do anything to prevent you from having your day in court. This is very evident from the measures they have taken more recently trying to prevent the extradition.
Dudus as a ghetto youth cannot import guns and ammo in Jamaica illegally he has to have the assistance of people in high places. I could call the three Ministers names but the Observer would decline to publish my comment.
The downfall of Mr. Golding is, he had to reward the people who assisted him taking control as the head of the JLP, therefore he has paid a very big political price, Bruce said this, so he knew this was coming There are Jamaican proverbs; DON'T MATTER HOW NIGHT LONG, DAYLIGHT MUST COME" "ANYTHING WEH PEOPLE SEH, IF IT NUH GO SUH IT NEARLY GO SUH"
Many Jamaicans has the belief, that academic qualifications signifies that you are a very intelligent person, because a person can't read and write, this is not proof that the person is silly. Reading and writing is another form of communication and academic qualification is sometimes attained because you are more fortunate than the other person.
Unfortunately i cannot say much as i am always fighting battles with the Observer. Dem seh mi too direct.

C. Brown
4/5/2010

I am one Jamaican who is delight about this new development, because this one can't be covered up. I was a die hard Golding supporter, but the interest of the country comes first. And like Bob said “you can fool some of the people sometimes, but yu can't fool all the people all the time". Bwoy this betta than Royal Palm Estate and the Young & the Restless, plus it real.. What a disgrace!!!

george watson
4/5/2010

In a country which shall remain nameless some people realized that in order to keep the economy from growing all it was necessary to do was to create chaos in the society. Consequently there were roadblocks shown on TV every night; there were the people demanding justice, there was the constant clamour for water and better roads, all out there for everyone to see. The murder rate was intolerable and corruption was rife. Chicken Little was out there everyday warning that the sky was falling. If this was not the work of somebody, then it was surely pounced upon with glee by certain people, who knew that it would show that their government was incompetent, and not in control of the situation and so not fit to rule. Of course there was also the talk show which was hammering home the situation day after day after day.
But these things feed on themselves and it is not like turning a tap on and off. People, especially children, learn that sort of behavior and believe that is the correct thing to do.
Now the chickens are coming home to roost and the asp is biting in the butt and they don’t know what to do. And as the economy slides further the people have to pay more taxes and more taxes.
Be careful everybody it could happen in Jamaica if we are not careful.
Who said governing was easy?

katherine hepburn
4/5/2010

Its interesting that you all seem to think Bruce has integrity - if he had integrity none of this would have happened. He needs to act like the leader of a nation instead of the leader of a particular party - or worse - the leader of a garrison constituency.

John John
4/5/2010

One rotten apple spoils the barrel.
100 rotten apples spoil the country.
I hear people talking seh if them extradite dudus, nough blood go spill.
I say, LET IT SPILL.
This man bigger than the country? Is dudus running a shadow government?
If America wanted to extradite bruce, and the legal system agreed with america and handed him over, no blood would spill.
The same holds true for you, me, you you mamma and papa too
But if America wants dudus, blood haffi spill? Me seh LET IT SPILL NOW.
Stop that cancer NOW.
How dare our political leaders turn over Jamaica to dudus?
We need a TREASON trial in Jamaica NOW.

bobette lauriston
4/5/2010

What a bangagarang, bruce let the chip fall where they may. get everything all out and protect your integrity

Fed Up
4/5/2010

This administration has been a victim of it's own hubris. The chickens have come home to roost, huh Bruce?

Petros Haile
4/5/2010

I tell you the end of the Golding Administration is near, as this latest episode will bring it down. When ministers are being probed over this matter, after rank denials, it simply means that all credibility is gone. Everything in darkness must come to light.

Danavan smith
4/5/2010

bruce this is not one of the thing where talking it over sum beers and call it a day ,it not going away till the fat lady sing.

Jay Brown
4/5/2010

Is the observer propagating unsubstantiated hearsay. If the Observer has information that three government ministers are the subject of a grand jury investigation, why not publish the names.
Failure to make the names public will do nothing but having people speculate and begin proposing all kinds of names in the public domain.
The observer is not doing us any favour by simply stating 3 ministers are under investigation, who are you guys protecting, publish the names for all to see.
Let the chips fall where they may.

Nicolas Henry
4/5/2010

Thank GOD big brother is watching. some think it was bad to borrow from the IMF, I think it's the best thing. Finally we must report to someone other than our corrupt government ministers. Thanks for not extraditing DUDUS, you are now giving justice BRUCE because now the U.S is more determined to dig into your affairs and all Jamaica's politicians connection to Gangs and criminal elements. maybe finally, just finally we will hear the truth about all the gun and ammo deals that's driving up our murder rate and causing the suffering of our people. BIG BROTHER A RUN TINGS. CUH YA SINTING DEH DONE.

josh davis
4/5/2010

thanks bruce..this is the dawn of a new day in jamaica..too many brains are lost in the gully of drug dealing and money laundering..too many wise businesses have failed because of such..the old guard must go for a new jamaica to prosper..

anguish of being
4/5/2010

Total incompetence. This didn't have to happen. Bruce really dont know how fi handle the state apparatus it seems. Never thought I would say this but...Bruce, give it back to sister P, you out of you depth here.

JA Cynic
4/5/2010

This seems to be a case of too many Cons.
First, tthere was the issue of the Con-sultant; then came the validity of the Con-tract; then the matter of Con-tact with US officials; then some Con-cession by the GOJ.
Finally, there is an overall Con-spiracy.
The question still remains: Who will be Con-victed as the answers no far have been un-Con-vincing
Con-fused??
JA Cynic

mark jones
4/5/2010

Talk about chess!! Seems some people should start booking the moving truck!

Allan Coleman
4/5/2010

O my god i think wen we had vote d pnp party out things would have been better but by god its getin wose by d day i think d best thing d PM should is just lev by god they r so lie!!!!!!!

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