Cops called in on JUTC probe - DPP office hands corruption case to police
December 18, 2008
THE ONGOING saga at the state-owned Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) took another twist yesterday, with the police being called in to probe allegations of corruption and criminality.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn called in the cops after going through a report submitted by Contractor General Greg Christie.
"The DPP's office has reviewed the report thoroughly but is at this time constrained in its ability to make an informed decision as to whether or not anyone is to be prosecuted for a criminal offence," Llewellyn said.
"In keeping with the dictates of criminal law and the various issues that the director (of public prosecutions) considers when determining to undertake a criminal prosecution, material must be gathered that will enable the Crown to, at the very least, establish a prima facie case," the DPP added.
In handing over the matter to Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, the DPP named media practitioner Susan Simes, her company, Simber Productions Limited, and acting managing director of the JUTC, Bindley Sangster, as persons of interest who should be the target of investigations by the police.
Insufficient evidence
She argued that while the contractor general's report seemed to disclose clear departmental breaches by some individuals, this was not sufficient to initiate criminal proceedings.
"The DPP's office must have the police prepare a file based on their independent and objective investigations before it will be in a position to objectively and dispassionately come to an informed decision in this matter in respect of whether or not to prosecute for any criminal offence," argued Llewellyn in a release issued yesterday.
She claimed this was normal practice adopted by the DPP's office....
Author: Arthur Hall
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
