Master Fidela Corbin Lincoln has awarded damaged Police superintendent Cleville Mills in a defamation lawsuit against QFM and its talk show host Mathias “Matt” Peltier and Angelo Allen.
The suit NO HCVDOM334 OF 2015 was filed on December 31, 2015 by Mills’ lawyer, Heather F. Felix-Evans.
According to the claim form, “on January 2, 2015 the first defendant (Mathias “Matt” Peltier Jr, in the course of hosting the Hot Seat, broadcast and published or caused to be broadcast and published and the 3rd defendant West Indies Communication Enterprises Ltd broadcast and published or caused to be published on Q95FM radio, defamatory words/statements of and concerning the Claimant and concerning the claimant in the way of his office.”
It goes on to state that on November 24, 2015 the 2nd Defendant (Angelo Allen) in the course of hosting an extended edition of Inside Politics, broadcast and published on Q95FM Radio, defamatory words/statements of and concerning the Claimant and his office.
“The broadcast and publication of the words complained of on January 2, 2015 and 24 November 2015 have individually and collectively gravely injured the reputation of the claimant, have exposed him to public scandal and contempt and caused considerable embarrassment and distress,” the claim form stated.
According to the Master, “The defamatory statements were of some gravity as they touched Mr. Mills’ personal integrity and reputation and were published to a wide audience in Dominica. Further, his reputation prior to the publication were affected by his disciplinary charges and finding of guilt by the Police Service Commission (PSC) for offence surrounding the disappearance of US$16,000 from the Marigot Police Station which information was in the public domain for several years. The decision of the PSC was quashed about 4 years later and it cannot be stated with any degree of certainty to what extent Mr. Mills’ reputation was restored in the minds of the ordinary citizens by the quashing of the decision.”
She continued, “However, by law, the quashing of the decision means Mr. Mills has not been found guilty of any disciplinary offences. More significantly, he has never been convicted in a court of law of the offence of theft. Based on the evidence the publication of the defamatory statements may have had some negative impact on Mr. Mills’ reputation. It did however appear to have affected his career progression since he was promoted after the publication. Mr. Mills clearly suffered injury to his feelings and the defendants’ conduct aggravated the injury.”
She concluded that having regard to all the circumstances of this case, “I award damages as follows; Mr. Peltier and WICE QFM shall pay Mr. Mills damages in the same of $80,000.00 inclusive of aggravated damages; Mr. Allen and WICE QFM shall pay Mr. Mills damages in the sum of $80,000.00 inclusive of aggravated damages. The defendants shall pay Mr. Mills prescribed cost pursuant to the Part 65.5 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) 2000.
David Bruney represented the defendants’ who say they will appeal that decision.
Well, you can’t accuse no body of something you did not see them do.
Yes, you can. Many convictions have been made on circumstantial evidence only.
The labourites must be rejoicing at this decision, but it’s a sad thing for Dominica taking into account the fact the inept police chief had only a couple dozen people to investigate for the theft of the $16,000 US and to this day have come up empty as to who did take the money. Coupled with the leaking of the statement in the child abuse matter and the lack of action by police in the looting during hurricane Maria plus the fiasco of the alleged coup plot using a flatbed truck and speakers and on and on, what else will it take for Skerritt and Blackmoore to effect change in the leadership of the policr force that the citizens can feel confident that tax dollars are being spent to provide a reliable police service we can have confidence in. Come on Skerritt and do right by the citizens, it’s time bro.
Did all that money really go missing at the station? Who was in charge? Was anyone held responsible? This is what i am most concerned about. What is more dangerous is that there are thieves and criminals in the police force and the inability of the police to police themselves. I remember a situation where money was missing at Portsmouth police station and the one under investigation was sent to Roseau to work under the arms of power. This is a sure way to gain ultimate loyalty and to corrupt and individual and institution. I would like to know if anyone was ever arrested. If not the public should be outraged at the fact criminals in the police force go unpunished. How do you guys expect public to cooperate. Up to now the man that was killed in the jail in possi cannot find justice but police getting 16000 cause there feelings were hurt. If i was matt i would not pay **** let them jail me.
@ Sam suggested that Da following the US system except their salary; bus Sam you are so wrong because in the US the media and journalists would not be speculating because the FBI would do their investigation and report their finding to the media. The FBI would ensure that the $40k was indeed thrown in the trash by mistake ; then they would dig through the trash to find it; they would investigate the persons bank accounts to see if that money was accidentally saved ; they would check all foreign transactions done to see if that money was accidentally used to buy a pickup truck or anything by mistake. After a thorough investigation, if they have information to suggest a crime was committed, the FBI would arrest that person and the public would get to know the truth and the media and journalists would not be sued for reporting. But in Dominica every thing is done in the dark and that puts pressure on the only independent station, Q95, to conduct their own investigation. It’s very unfair
The irony of this ruling in favour of Mr, Mills, at least in my mind, is that it damages his reputation far more than the previous, original allegation of misappropriation. Mr. Mills may cash in on his victory but surely it comes at an enhanced cost to his reputation, inflicted by his own action of bringing this case before the court. This makes it a hollow victory in my opinion.
Are you for real? Which planet are you from? What you are implying is that he should not have taken the matter to court; utter rubbish.
Of course I am not suggesting that. He was free to do so, but not obliged. However I do not believe that this action has enhanced, leave alone restored his reputation. So one must ask what was Mr. Mills’ motivation?
What do you expect when in reality Roosevelt Skerrit has absolute power? The president of Dominica is Skerrit, police Commissioner is Skerrit, Chief Judge/ Magistrate is Skerrit, PM is Skerrit, Health Minister is Skerrit, Education Minister is Skerrit, Hurricane Minister is Skerrit, agriculture minister is Skerrit, the Bishop of Roseau is Skerrit, manager of DBS is Skerrit, every damn ministry is headed by Skerrit even if the record indicates something different! Every ministers and every manager on island is so named for the paycheck but in reality, they are all acting or deputy minister, just as he named Austrie as deputy PM, even when he is home. The only flipping institution or organization that is still independent of Skerrit the Opposition and that’s because Lennox Linton cannot be bought or dictated to. Nowonder Skerrit hates Linton even in photo. Skerrit would like to have an opposition leader like Judas Iscariot, so in parliament they could fight but purchased in secret
Which court the pm court?
Anyone brought before the law by the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and it’s acolytes / apologists in DOMINICA is doomed — why? Justice will always be denied by a kangaroo court system that ignores recognised standards of law or justice, and carries little or no official standing in the territory within which it resides.
I thought talk was cheap.
Doh worry, the zen Zeh zeh listeners will foot the bill.
George Jones cult behavior
Supporters of Skerrit are rejoicing not realizing that is because Skerrit has destroyed the police system here, by convincing them that their job is to protect him and harass and arrest all of his opponents. So Skerrit can go to the labor division and when he sees the skeletons, it is alright for him to describe the injustices as “Racketeering” and commands the commissioner to fix it, but told the police no need investigate. A police officer allegedly swept over $40K by “mistake” and instead of the police investigating, Skerrit promoted him. A government minister allegedly involved in sexual misconduct with a minor and instead of the police investigating it, we see them planning a welcome for Skerrit at the airport and the minister handed him a letter. We have so many more examples. Can you imagine if Trump was able to tell the FBI who to investigate and who to arrest? That’s exactly what is happening here and when the media gets involved and lets the public know, they are sued.
If the police were allowed to do their jobs as professionals their would be no need for these lawsuits because the police would investigate these matters and would inform the nation in a non partisan way about their findings. But when it is Skerrit saying when and who to investigate, who to arrest for setting Roseau on fire, you expect to have lawsuits because any reasonable person will speak out and will raise questions. The police is not doing their job and that is bad for the country. Skerrit should not dictate to the police who they should investigate and who they should arrest and he should not tell his judges who to make the winner or looser. When you are in a country with 16 out of 21 seats, then a police force that is very handpicked and partisan, a president that was handpicked a day after he was a government minister, a Court system that is completely and totally RED in their judgements, how the hell we expect to have a good country? How could Eden not be destroyed?
Boy I am very afraid for Dominica you know because we don’t seem to have any sense of reason left, where we can judge matters outside of our religious or political fence. When will we grow up to realize is not uwp or dlp we destroying, but our one little Dominica. I am reading the comments above and I am just at awe to see how our people defend such an evil judgement that went down at our courts today. I reside in the US and I am shaking my head because I know most of you that giving thumbs up for such a bad ruling, if it was not for politics all of us would be upset with our justice system. In the US I know most of you are following the ongoing investigation of president Trump and most of you I believe are happy with the information given by CNN and the media. But you realize the media is putting out the information without the three of being sued? I am sure many of you supporting the evils of Skerrit’ are denoucing Trump. Just can’t understand Dominicans boy.
And this for Matt Peltier within 48hours of being served a stern warning letter by lawyers of another person who feels injured by his, and Q95’s, apparent obsessive compulsive behaviour towards the destruction of One Man!
Blasting to follow next. Just a matter of time.
Kertist Augustus will be next.
BIO BABALEN MATT…..BIO BABALEN Q…
Isaiah 5:20, describes the very sad state of Dominica many years ago, like this:
20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” This is exactly what is happening in our country today. Evil is being rewarded while good is being punished. My God help us because I know for such things the wrath of God comes upon our nation and no wonder every year now, under the reign of Skerrit all we keep seeing is destruction upon destruction.
@evangelist! What exactly does that have to with the price of bread.
One thing that is certain under Skerrit. You get promoted for doing things that are very wrong and on top of the promotion you get to take home a huge payment, thanks to Skerrit and his Court system. I tell you Dominica is very messed up and it is more beneficial to do what’s WRONG than even think of doing what is right and godly.
@Wrong is Wrong. Is Matt the new Missiah incarate. Go do a “GofundMe” and keep vilifying as much as he wishes.
These guys like to run their mouths and when they get sued pick up some cheap *** lawyer who can’t tell head from tail. That’s why they lose all their cases but they will never learn. Lesson to be learned, say whatever you want but have good lawyers.
Da following all American system they only thing is not paying civil servant every two weeks and pay by your education what’s next mills u looking for u to get rich over night lol
legal system has gone to the dogs
Well, only when it does not serve the wicked ways of blind followers, inept blue leaders, and corrupt journalists.
Don’t come on here and belly ache about discrimination. Time and Time again on Q95 and other mediums you opposition sympathizers run allu mouth like a diarrhea say what you want sully peoples name with impunity. There is no victimization here none at all stop the belly ache and pay for allu gel
These guys are on a mission to close down Q95, so expect them and their lawyers to sue …………
Yeh right. .and if you keep losing elections keep blaming them. Bad strategy for Q. No pun intended. After all, it’s been 18 years and we need a change including your failed strategy.
@chess game, was this judgement about an election that was lost or something bad that took place? Were they sued for talking about an election that was lost or for informing the nation of some $40,000 dollars of their money that was accidentally swept away?
I doe want know change, me personally I grown to love dominica they way it is, Last place on every single stage
Oh no! Why close down Q95 when it is facilitating the self-destruction of so many? I would even give Q95 a huge generator and pay the salary of its workers.
Q95 must verify its information before it talks bad about people. Too many of us believe that once something is on radio or Internet it is true.
Oh wow! These guys could do all the **** they want to knowing if anyone talks they have their lawyer in place to sue them …………..