Dear Editor,

There has been much debate about the “illicit six” after the Integrity Commission (IC) made it known that six parliamentarians and 28 public officials are under investigation for illicit gains in wealth.

This is as a result of their annual declaration of assets, income, and liabilities. Anyone who understands, knows that the IC investigation runs deeper. These documents are carefully audited, with checks and balances done across multiple sectors to verify information declared amid glaring inconsistencies. This can be done with information gleaned from multiple organisations, including financial institutions and other sectors, to determine if the information is in sync and appears reasonable. When numbers don’t add up, additional questions must be asked.

Corruption reportedly costs the country five per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) annually or $100 billion. This is a lot of money, and these funds rob the country of much-needed vital services which benefit the general public, especially in areas such as health care, education, and social services. This is why corruption cannot be pushed under the carpet as a normal part of our culture.

We cannot endorse corruption if we want Jamaica to develop and progress. Politicians should know better. Many who are brought before the courts find ways to beat the system and avoid prosecution through lengthy delays which frustrate the system until cases get thrown out or witnesses and evidence get lost or go missing.

Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Every auditor knows that a financial statement must balance, it must also make sense financially, logically, and legally. Every piece of information on a declaration or statement can be verified, even if it takes time. The same applies to the Stocks and Securities Limited investigation, which must be done meticulously and comprehensively with complete knowledge of systems, procedures, and controls. The same methodology applied to organisations can be applied to an individual’s accumulation of wealth, and what most don’t know is that the information can be vetted and verified by professionals who know what they are doing and understand business processes.

Minister of Justice Delroy Chuck made some statements recently about the illicit six. Chuck had previously lashed the IC. Claiming that it lacks integrity, he urged Jamaicans a few months ago not to prejudge lawmakers based on speculation about the matter, which most consider very serious. Chuck also justified the rushed extension of the director of public prosecutions’ retirement age, weeks before she was due to retire, which raised many questions.

According to Chuck in his recent statement, no one knows who the six are and who is under investigation. I find this laughable. To begin with, do you think anyone under investigation would publicly declare this?

Chuck also said the IC appears to be net fishing instead of spear fishing, which suggests that the IC is not being targeted in its approach. I’ve asserted that if there is nothing to hide, there should be nothing to fear. A mistake on a declaration can be easily distinguished from a deliberate cover-up. Trust me, if a parliamentarian knows he/she is guilty of illicit enrichment, he/she knows he/she is under investigation. If a declaration cannot be certified, especially for multiple years, clearly you are under investigation.

At this point, the case isn’t closed, let the IC do its work professionally and independently without fear, pressure, or veiled threats. The board comprises a reputable group of qualified and esteemed professionals with decades of experience among them, in fields ranging from accounting and auditing to the judiciary and business management.

Let us trust the system and allow the work to be completed. This can only benefit the public.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com