| SIPT says it’s on target; nation awaiting report | | Print | |
| Written by Richard Green/richard@fptci.com | |||
| Thursday, 16 June 2011 10:34 | |||
 Fourteen months after becoming fully operational, the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team says it is keeping to its targets and deadlines — but has not said what they are — while the country waits impatiently for results. In April 2010, lead prosecutor Helen Garlick said investigations such as hers into allegations of government corruption would normally take about 18 months, which would be some time in October if her estimate holds true. But an SIPT statement June 9 did not say when criminal charges might be made or reveal any other details of the investigation. “The SIPT continue to make good progress and are keeping to their targets and deadlines,” the statement said. “The SIPT are very aware that the public want to know more about their activities, but the investigation has entered a phase where its activities within the (Turks and Caicos Islands) and elsewhere in the world have to be kept confidential, to protect the integrity of the investigation and the rights of those individuals involved,” the team said. While criminal investigators won’t say much about what they are doing, the Civil Recovery Team hired by the government to recover government assets announced in March that cases are set for trial. The government just won its first case against Star Platinum companies to reclaim more than 600 acres of Crown land on Joe Grant Cay. Next on the schedule is against Salt Cay Devco companies that are accused of a series of corrupt transactions to gain advantages in their plans for the tiny island. After more than a year at work, the Civil Recovery Team said in March that it had recovered more than $3 million in Crown land and lease payments in arrears in more than 50 cases. The team would not, however, identify those people and businesses, saying that maintaining confidentiality can encourage them to settle out of court, saving time and money. The SIPT statement also said the team has moved into the Veranda resort, saving 25 percent on their costs of accommodations, and came in under budget in the 2010-11 fiscal year ended March 31. Official budget figures for 2010-11 show that $4,573,243 was spent on the SIPT of its budgeted $7.5 million, while another $4,215,500 was spent on the Civil Recovery Team of its budgeted $2.5 million. But the TCI didn’t have to pay anything because the U.K. gave the interim government $10.6 million for both investigations and for increased police spending last year. The government has estimated it will spend $6 million on the SIPT and another $4.5 million on civil recovery in 2011-12. After Commission of Inquiry hearings in January and February 2009, Commissioner Sir Robin Auld recommended criminal investigations of former Premier Michael Misick, four of his fellow ministers and others for a variety of allegations of possible corruption and misfeasance in public office. “SIPT investigators have interviewed a large number of persons across the islands, including former ministers and in other foreign jurisdictions in the U.S., Canada and Europe,” the team said. “We are working jointly with other law enforcement bodies in these areas to pursue information and evidence pertinent to the SIPT mandate. A considerable number of statements have been obtained which cover the wide range of investigations that the SIPT have been asked to carry out. Arrests have been made and search warrants executed.”
|
Related Articles
Entertainment: Your Island Guide
|
Top things to do in April Top things to do in April 1. From Golfing to More... |
|
Valentine’s Day Cup 2013 model sailboat races The Middle Caicos Sailboat Association will once again present the annual model sailboat races at More... |
|
Lime and Tourist Board announce weekly Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board & LIME partner with Cultural Fish Fry The Turks & Caicos Tourist More... |
|
Turks & Caicos Reef Fun to host dazzling evening The Turks and Caicos Reef Fund will host its 2nd Annual Cocktail Party Reception on Jan. 26 at the More... |
|
Fashion Glam at Regent Palms The Regent Palms is inviting everyone to an evening of fashion and glamour at their event being More... |
Latest Community News
|
Cholera Clinical Management Training Held in the TCI Healthcare professionals from the TCI Health Services were trained in the Clinical Management of More... |
|
Illegal Haitian immigrants Intercepted Illegal Haitian Immigrants Intercepted, to the Repatriated According to the Ministry of Border More... |
|
Ministry of Health Reminding public about sanitation Health surveillance teams attached to the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) have More... |
|
Scholarship applications now being accepted The Ministry of Education has announced that they are now accepting applications for scholarships More... |
|
History and traditions stay alive at the 13th annual boat races in Middle Caicos The 2013 Valentines Day Cup welcomed many fun loving residents and tourists to Middle Caicos’ More... |