Despite promising “explosive” evidence of corruption, fraud and money laundering in CIP regimes in the region, Philippe Martinez and MSR Media voluntarily withdrew their US-based lawsuit on Thursday.
Tourism and Investment Minister Dr Ernest Hilaire, who was a person of interest in the lawsuit, explains that Martinez’s withdrawal came as no surprise as the French expat had no case to begin with. “I am really not surprised that Martinez took the course of action to withdraw his claims, which were all fabricated, baseless and malicious,” said Hilaire to St. Lucia Times.
While Hilaire reiterates that Martinez’s allegations were false and that the CIP Unit operates above board, he condemns the Opposition United Workers’ Party (UWP) for buying into Martinez’s claims. “I cautioned the Leader of the Opposition that his actions were only serving to hurt the reputation of Saint Lucia but he showed that he did not care about the livelihood of the people and indeed the reputation of Saint Lucia,” Hilaire said.
Hilaire adds that he is doubtful that Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet and the UWP will cease peddling claims of corruption within the CIP. “Whilst Martinez has accepted defeat in this attempt, don’t be surprised that Allen Chastanet and the UWP will find a way to continue the lies and slander and to destroy the progress of Saint Lucia.”
The scope of the lawsuit involved top government and CIP officials in Saint Kitts-Nevis and Saint Lucia, including the head of Saint Lucia’s CIP, McClaude Emmanuel. Martinez had also appeared on local media outlets on numerous occasions threatening to expose the government’s illegal dealings.
However, a federal court notice of discontinuance was filed today by MSR Media and Martinez’s attorneys. “Pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure…Plaintiffs MSR Media SKN Ltd., MSR Hotels & Co. Ltd., MSR Media International LLC, and Philippe Martinez hereby give notice that the above captioned action is voluntarily dismissed without prejudice,” explained the document.
Martinez’s attorney also noted that, “None of the Defendants has filed an answer or motion for summary judgment.”
The controversial lawsuit was followed with much anticipation by citizens who were eager to learn of any malfeasance on the government’s part, while the Pierre Administration remained adamant in denying of Martinez’s claims.
Oh well ha hahaha haha….you are right Doc they will continue to find ways to slander…….it’s ingrained in their Dutty Daily Code of Conduct they can’t help it’s just who they are.
This is Martinez Strategy – this guy is a player. I am sure Hilaire understands Martinez game and he is not laughing. This thing is far from over. If anyone thinks it is over, I will show you a fool
That was predictable. Martinez was using the US federal courts as a threat to Saint Lucia and SKN in an attempt at extortion. THAT was evident by his own pronouncements.
He now dangles a carrot before his henchmen in the UWP (MSR will be involved in investigations of corruption and due diligence) if they win the next Election.
BUT this is what should happen NOW!. The countries and persons smeared by Martinez and his enterprises, should seek to have the Federal authorities of the US to designate Martinez and all the enterprises named as complainants in the suit as RICO. That would give those aggrieved by the attempted extortion a case in the US federal courts against him.
Chastanet’s proxy finally quit? Wow
Absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence!
Solve your domestic problems,there is none that does good except God !!!
Is there anyone who knows to do good and does not do it ???
Games being played in the shadows. Will any regular citizen will ever know? Millions at stake. Could there be hand shakes in the darkness.?
All we can do is be helpless observers to our own fate. Powerless against big money. Those voted to protect are not interested in protecting any thing other than the victory. Suhsee on malnourished cow in a polluted lahgon dasheene. St. Lucians really need to read Animal Farm by George Orwell to understand our present predicament.
Not in the least bit surprised.
All along I assumed Martinez was using this to get back what he has lost.
He is correct about all that he has said and it is logical that he has received compensation for what he has lost so has dropped the case. From his point of view the process is complete.
But there have been no answers for the huge questions about corruption. No information on the number of St Lucian passports sold. Money received and where it went and who benefited.
All of that will only be found out with a change of government and a forensic audit or Commission of Enquiry with teeth.
The people of St Lucia are now aware of what they are dealing with.
🤔🤔… Palms greased!
I have yet to listen to an interview with Martinez and Lisa. But I read part of his Rico filling (initial) and read a few stories in the press about him. Then I heard he was calling SkyFM and Newspin and so on. I lost interest.
His strategy was to apply pressure to get paid to make the case disappear. But he got carried away, and PIP was not falling for it. Ironically, the Skits PM was playing along at the beginning. But then Martinez asked the man for millions to make it disappear, and he didn’t take that too lightly.
I always needed to understand his connection to the UWP. I wonder whether that was his initial idea or just happened that way. I am still scratching my head on that one.
I see why the UWP loves the guy. When you are in opposition, you like everyone who may help you win.
But a famous politician once said, ‘Trust but verify.’
You don’t make silly statements like, “Martinez needs a national award,” when you are just getting to know the guy.
Hahahahahahaha!!! The UWP stooges followed this man through a minefield that led nowhere! They were on radio, tv, and everywhere else in their attempt to strongarm the government but they crash and burn. I turn over to Nancy, Chas, Andre, the so called Pastor (on facebook), and the other stooges.
UWPs are now peddling the “Y’all think it’s over” foolishness and the “I know somebody got paid” allegation. But seeing how vociferous Martinez was about his case on the various media, he stood to gain a whole lot more than the peanuts he would have received from an under the table payment. UWP will find some way to try to spin this debacle!
There is is a case in the US courts…he dropped the RICO case in his words it will take to long…. but he filed one to the DOJ and homeland security…
This was never a legal matter. This is seen in the MoA from the get-go. How much of a victory Labour could make out of the RICO case being discontinued would be for them to enforce article 9 of the MoA. It was never the RICO case, but it’s the MoA that holds Labour’s feet to the fire by virtue of the process of minimum variation.