Former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Gene Pestaina, is concerned that although he “officially retired” on July 28, 2013, that post remains vacant and according to the Dominica Constitution, it must be filled and permanently.
Julian Prevost held the position temporarily from May-July 2013. He has openly stated that he is not interested in the job.
Reports are that Chief Magistrate Evelina Baptiste, is being considered for the position but Pestaina is worried that the post has not yet been filled. “I am retired and it ought to have been filled right away, what’s the hold up?” he asked.
According to the Dominica Constitution, “The Director of Public Prosecutions shall have power in any case in which he considers it desirable so to do, to institute and undertake criminal proceedings against any person before any court of law (other than a court-martial) in respect of any offence alleged to have been committed by that person; to take over and continue any such criminal proceedings that have been instituted or undertaken by any other person or authority; and to discontinue at any stage before judgement is delivered any such criminal proceedings instituted or undertaken by himself or any other person or authority.
Meanwhile Pestaina has taken taking issue with what he termed “shabby treatment” given to him and to the permanent secretary in the ministry of legal affairs, Claudia Bellot who has also retired, at a function at the Public Service Training Center.
Pestaina told DNO in an interview that while he appreciated the gesture of the staff, he was very disappointed that not even the Attorney General or the Minister for Legal Affairs was at the function.
“After my retirement, some of the staff at legal affairs came together to pay regards to Mrs. Bellot and me at a function at the Public Training Center. I was disappointed that the media was not invited, no DBS, no GIS, no minister, no AG, no senior lawyers or judge or magistrate. I have given 40 years and Bellot 37 years. What was the secret? Whatever I said fell on deaf ears,” an obviously annoyed Pestaina stated.
“The Bar association should have been informed of my retirement. What is going on,” he questioned.
Hey my friend, aren’t you drawing your retirement check? What is all that whining about
Mr. Pestaina, I was at the event held at the PSTC and it was just a small gathering from staff, just to show appreciation for working with you and the PS, we sponsored monies ourselves. it was not sponsored by the Ministry, so SORRY for just being nice and appreciative. Ungrateful man. I can never put my money in ANYTHING for your kind ever again. Media u like, media u’ll get!
My view is that he expected a lavish retirement party with trimmings and the presence of all dignitaries and others who knew him and worked with him. He showed his disappointment that they were not present. I do believe that what people sow they will reap in time. This is a typical example with no doubt more to come.
he knew knew knew knew knew
So much BS you did in those years ,you want to be recognised for it . Boss best you go start rolling your rosary and pray for the injustice you have done . Good luck getting pass the GATES.
Gene garson I like you and still think you would be a damn good police commissioner for the country but your “moomooish” posture in all the calamity including you failure as DPP to investigate bobolgate, fertilizergate, returning secko-seco and freeing of Sarah-Lyn has left much to be desired in the area of prosecution. Take the simple send-off and hush you mouth. Thanks for your service anyway but if politics is in your future I still see you succeeding.
“Change Must Come”
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
You all got paid for service rendered. What more do u all want. Man go rest rest your tired bones.
The MOO MOO. THE NO ACTION MAN is talking now.
I do not listen to people like you Sir!
He should have invited the young girl that murdered her two children whom he sent to Canada when he discontinued her case. Please
Give me a break here Mr. Pestina. My father worked for almost 30+ years for Central water Authority and DAWASCO combined and on the day of his retirement he got a call from the office of communication and works informing him that this was his last day at worked.Sir are you more special than my Father and the thousands of Dominicans that received worst treatment than this just because they support another party? Sir spit in the the sky and it will fall in your face sir.
You should have brought it up when others before you were given the same treatment. Do not worry you will get lots of flowers when you move on to the after life.
No kidding! You are something else, making me laugh.
A sharp response. 
Paestina go rest your bones. I personally do not want to hear a word from you, for obvious reasons.
All of a sudden you are concerned now?
He should face the Court for agreeing to Sarah Lyn Augustine leaving Dominica without a hearing for the murders of her two children. This will always hang over his head.
We know many D/cans are still upset with him, putting it mildly. I still plan to look further into it. It is not too late. I do not even think the Federal and Ontario governments are aware of that.
He will also have to answer to God for it. How compassionate will God be when it pertains to murders of little children and their murderer getting away with it on this earth?
We know how compassionate Our Lord is to the little ones and what he stated about those who cause one of them to sin. In this case, they were murdered. Obviously it saddened him to see what their own mother did to them. Earthly justice is not yet meted out. What will the eternal one be?
So you doe know what’s going on?
If you don’t know by now you will never know.
Man start speaking your truth,and free up yourself.
You owe it to your intergrity and image,
Good luck in you new state of living.
Another one making me laugh.
It sounds like he was not popular.
And this is important news….how? Are they the only two retirees who didnt get what retirement ball they wanted? Smfh
Behanzin was not treated any better, so if it is the Bar Association you were waiting for, you should have known! Mrs. Bellot was moved into the legal affairs Ministry overnight, so she left the same way, her own fault, no ethics don’t expect a dignified exit!!! She accepted the foul treatment of the previous post holder!!!!!
Mr. Pestanier I understand where you are coming from. But at the end of the day something was done for you and should be appreciated. Also knowing the kind of person you are even if they was their or not you would have something negative to say. Enjoy your retirement, and god bless for the 40 years you gave to the state.
Mr Pestaina I think you should have thanked your staff more for the initiative. Meanwhile you know exactly what your bosses thought of you, so with a graceful bow say thank god I am out of here
It’s good Mr.Pestaina is speaking out now but why wasnt he doing so while he was in office and why didnt he make sure that the fire at Mr.Emmanuel home was a priority while he was in office doing a good job is a lot better in the long run than not
Mr.Prevost picked it up now he is gone and we wonder what will happen we cannot forget that christmas fire of a senior who gave his all to the country we need justice.
Sir, this is the next level. No respect, No appreciation and let me tell you. CABINET hates public officers. So since is anything involving PUBLIC OFFICERS, SERVANTS of the STATE being paid peanuts, CABINET keeps their long distance
I can feel Mr Alleyne’s disappointment that senior Legal Affairs staff did not attend his leaving function. I can just imagine what fire he had planned to humiliate them in front of an audience. By not attending they left him holding his poison. That must be tough!
Sorry Mr. Pestaina and Mrs. Bellot. Is only now all YOU know?
Shame, Shame on everyone of them, but don’t worry you infornt their own coming, dirty politics that going there, oh by the way the AG is to busy making sales for passport he wants $60.000. 000
So dno u cannot see u have the wrong pic. Embarrassing the queen like that!
DNO all you have joke wii. Is Pestina Miss Nevis or Miss dominica?
Sir,enjoy your retirement and shut up.
Mr Pestina Ian was busy resolving Georgetown and Cotton Hill and Levi Peter I dont know but he could have been preparing a passport budget speech for the house of parliament or he was somewhere signing some little booklets. Please accept their apology on the behalf of the poor people of Dominica.
Meanwhile at a function held at a the public Service Training center, Pestaina was offended by what he termed “shabby treatment” given to him and to the permanent secretary in the ministry of legal affairs, Claudia Bellot who has also retired.” I doh go skool DNO but I had to help my under mango tree classmates to better understand the article.
Pestina crying like a baby. But Pesto there was a wedding and they doh invite Tony, Father Lawyance ( Washington Post), Mammies, Marleyn, PEEPING TOM, Observer, I’ll lick de *** , Pro dock TV Tea macaque, Mervin and Ci Me Yawn(ooow).The only person that cried was marleyn and Tony was crying in silence.
So Mr Pesto why cry. You doh see how they treat the wiskie president. You doh see how they treat Sean Douglas, you doh see how they treat Glanvillia people; What about Pappy Joe.
Every time I see these lawyers in the Black and White I wonder why it is they did not choose to wear the blue shirt and dungaree. In fact a zebra color outfit would be very appropriate for some of them – you know the zebra color that Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy wore in the Movie ” Doing Life”
Pesto you know we love and appreciate you dearly. It’s a joy to be around you.
DNO – Did the editor read the article before posting . I was confused somewhat believing that Claudia Bellot retired at a function at the Public Service Training Center. My 5 th grader would have done a better job.
comrade tell us something only some of us do not know. Who feels it knows it”. You are totally correct but a little too late. Some will say it is sour grapes and you were part of the regime but did not say a thing. I beg to differ, not the humble servant I know. the bottom line is no one is safe with their job in Dominica if that person does not conform with the mess we in Dominica are now experiencing. Therefor be a voice for the voiceless rally your troops and educate the people for if you`re not part of the solution”. Then you`re are part of the problem. Continue to talk, talk, comrade where there is no vision the people will perish. I know you have more to say, lets hear it now.
Moderation, moderation, moderation me to death. Thank God it is comic relief. No hard feelings D.N.O. until the competition arrives you are king of the hill. I am stuck in moderation!!!!!
DNO, YOU GOT THE WRONG PHOTO ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THIS ARTICLE. THE PHOTO IS THAT OF MISS DOMINICA!!
are u all knots admin? what this shillingford girl pic has to do with dpp news item
But what I seeing there non! that is Mr. Pestaina
picture in the headline?
all u too like spot light in dominica learn to do your duty with honor and not for honor chupessssss
njoy your retirement
everthing in do is a daybar now moo moo talking