A letter from Special Prosecutor (SP) Robert Innocent to former Customs Comptroller Peter Chiquot explains why the SP’s office dismissed Chiquot’s corruption complaints.
Chiquot complained against top public officials, including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Attorney General and House Speaker.
“Without merit” were the words used by Innocent to describe the numerous complaints.
Chiquot raised six complaints against Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, including Pierre’s decision not to renew his contract, victimisation and abuse of office.
After examining the facts, Innocent concluded, “Having examined the particulars and the exhibits submitted with them, for facts and law bordering on criminal corrupt conduct, I found no such evidence.”
The Special Prosecutor noted no misconduct in public office in the Prime Minister choosing not to renew an expired acting contract or attending court in support of a colleague.
Ultimately, the complaints against Pierre were dismissed.
On the part of Deputy Prime Minister Ernest Hilaire, Chiquot claimed that Hilaire abused his office as a sitting Minister to file a case against him in the courts.
Innocent concluded that “there is no merit in the allegations against Dr. Ernest Hilaire, and thus no valid reason for investigation of the complaints.”
Innocent added that Hilaire was within his rights to file a civil claim against Chiquot, who has the right to defend himself in the proceedings.
Chiquot also complained against the Attorney General, Leslie Mondesir, claiming that he acted contrary to Staff Order 4.20 by not providing him (Chiquot) with legal advice. After an investigation, Innocent found the claim to be “without merit” as evidence obtained proves that Chiquot was given representation by the Office of the Attorney General.
Current Comptroller of Customs, Sherman Emmanuel, was also included in the list of complaints. Ultimately, the SP found that “as matters now stand, all the complaints against Mr. Sherman Emmanuel are without merit.”
The complaints against House Speaker Claudius Francis focused on slander and defamation, which the SP says does not qualify as corrupt conduct.
All claims against the parties were dismissed.
Photo: Robert Innocent
AWA ROBERT WILL ALWAYS DISMISS DAT, IS ONLY IF UWP WIN U WILL HAVE A CASE
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely…..
Oh well !!!…..over to you Anon, The Fox, of course Classic Oh Really and rest of you Yellow Fools you know yourselves.
Justice in St.Lucia. If anyone expected anything but the verdict from the prosecutor I will show you an Idiot. This Place is sick and it is only going to get worst.
Hahahahaha! And now the allegations begins. 😀😀😀
I thought I was reading USA politics/ legal news….dismiss indefinitely!
So all of Chiquot’s cases were without merit. Some things to consider, among them who appoints and pays the special prosecutor, also how about judicial review, not sure if that avenue can be explored in light of there being a special prosecutor.
Lol.. that was quick but what about the other allegations from the previous administration!
Your educated elites seem to be concentrated in legal endeavors that accomplish not much for the country. And consultants. And expensive travel abroad that doesn’t accomplish much of substance for the regular citizens of St. Lucia.
Sold out but I don’t blame you things hard down here. But await the out come of the RICO court.
Good to see that the SP office is functioning.
Peter Chiquot wrote to the special prosecutor and asked his office to investigate these claims. The SP basically said all the claims were without merit after his investigation. I like this because it sets a precedent for distinguishing between genuine whistleblowing and baseless accusations in public service.
•For example, in all his interviews, I never once heard him [Peter Chiquot] say that the period of his appointment had EXPIRED. Maybe he didn’t know?
•Another example is that PJP had already clarified that the case had been heard when he arrived at the court and was met in the building lobby. He did not enter the courtroom while a judge was presiding. This means that PJP was telling the truth.
But one thing that catches my eye is that the complaints are related to personal grievances like contract non-renewal and victimization.
So what happens next? Depending on the content of the allegations, he [Peter Chiquot] if malicious or intended to harass, could face legal consequences.
Hear hear lucian traveler.
The man did what he was appointed to do.
The perks of the victory
Hence the victory must be protected at all costs
To be expected. How corrupt is our system? Since independence we have eroded away at all the checks and balances. When will we ever get another politician that will be brave enough to clean the rot. As for the CCJ, and the perverse authoritarian mechanism that was used to implement it without the people’s right to decide in a referendum, that is the greatest affront to hard fought-for democracy and decency.