KINGSTON, Jamaica — The People’s National Party (PNP) on Sunday called on Minister of Finance, Nigel Clarke, to state whether the FBI is involved in the investigation at Stock and Securities Ltd (SSL).

The Opposition’s call comes against the background of a statement by the Head of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Division (CTOC), SSP Anthony McLaughlin, who stated on Friday, that local law enforcement had the capacity to conduct the investigation and did not need the assistance of the FBI at this time. This is in stark contrast to the prior public statement by Clarke that the FBI was to be engaged in the investigation of the SSL debacle.

“The head of CTOC has directly contradicted what the minister of finance said previously about the FBI being involved in the investigation. The country needs to know what the true position is,” Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Julian Robinson said.

In relation to the ongoing SSL investigation and the role of the Financial Services Commission, (FSC), Robinson reiterated his call for a release of all examination reports done by the FSC in relation to SSL, including minutes of FSC board meetings and reports from FSC management to the board, a special audit of the FSC by the Auditor General’s Department – to determine the appropriateness of actions of the regulatory entity; whether it had the resources and technical expertise to carry out its functions and finally, confirmation that international forensic expertise has now been engaged in relation to the massive fraud at SSL, and disclosure of their terms of reference.

Robinson also called on the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to conduct an audit of all government agencies and public bodies to ensure adherence to MOF and internal guidelines regarding the investment of public funds in financial institutions.

This issue was highlighted two years ago when the Airports Authority of Jamaica made an investment in First Rock.