Controversial Miami-based blogger, Kenneth Rijock, has been served with documents from Dominica in a lawsuit filed by Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, along with Foreign Affairs Minister, Francine Baron, National Security Minister, Rayburn Blackmoore, and Police Inspector Pellam Jno Baptiste.
Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan, said Rijock received the document after weeks of trying to locate him and after private investigators were hired.
Rijock said he will be taking the matter to the US State Department, will be taking court action and will be filing a counter-suit and a “third party complaint” against other people who he said have slandered him.
The matter has to do with allegations made by Rijock in a blog that as many as 10,000 blank Dominican passports were given to the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco to Dominica, Mohamed Benjilany, when he visited the island earlier this year.
The government had stoutly denied the allegations and demanded that Rijock retract, apologize and pay compensation to them or face court action. He refused and a lawsuit was filed in the High Court in Roseau on May 15th 2017.
Astaphan told state-owned DBS Radio that private investigators and process servers were hired and it took weeks to serve Rijock.
“There were times when they would go and suddenly the lights are off and they knock and they knock and they can’t get him and they couldn’t find him,” he said on Wednesday, July 19. “And then they were told he is in and he is out, he is never there. And eventually they served him yesterday (Tuesday, July 18).”
However, Rijock claimed that he was “not evading service.”
“Mr. Astaphan knows very well where I live,” he said on Q95’s The Hot Seat on Wednesday, July 19. “It is a matter of public record and I did finally receive the process yesterday.”
Rijock said that he has less than a month for his attorneys to file notice for appearance and less than two months to file a defense in the matter.
“But I can tell you that I will be in this case with reinforcements from the United States,” he stated. “I am also taking a copy of this complaint and turning it over to the appropriate party at the United States State Department.”
In addition, Rijock said he will be filing a counter-suit and a third party complaint “against other people who have slandered and maligned me in the public domain.”
For his part Astaphan was not ruffled by Rijock’s threat to take the matter to the US State Department saying it will not be of any assistance to him.
“As far as I am concerned he can go to the State Department a million times,” he remarked. “There is nothing the State Department can do to help him because the State Department is not going to get involved in seeking to protect an ex-con and smear artist and a man who has gone and made a name for himself as a pathological liar and extortionist.”
He stated that he looks forward to seeing Rijock in court.
“Mr. Rijock is going to understand that his day in court is not like sitting in Q95 or calling in to Q95 or writing his blogs and his rubbish and his nonsense said to him by Dominicans with a hatred for country and government and think it is going to be a joke.”
Astaphan said the matter will be fought to the ‘bitter end.’
“He can rest assured that we will fight him on this case and any other case we intend to fight to the bitter end,” he noted.
yes father God put a hand.
yes I what really is going on in my Dominica.
DODD! now I KNOW YOU DON’T read the holy bible because it is a teaser for the brain. If one is certificated in London, he can practise anywhere in the world. If you are certificated in America, there are only selected places you can practise. If you want to help take your chance in the witness box, but Tony got HIS man. Only his signatures we require, so what is all that forcel about. Tony take him in the court, get all his signatures, he got reprimanded and our investigations begins, easy.
I would like to hope that this trial is carried live on T.V by CBS NBC and CNN, and ABC so the world to see sir rejock I ask you please bring the U. S. press with you so we can see the truth live.
I have always said that i am not the sharpest tool in the box nor i am the brightest penny, But when you get a load of goats crap comments coming from Workers-supporters and Leaders something tells me we got to get out of this place, Now when one have a bunch of losers criminals and idiots in apposition political party and supporters haters both in Dominica and them stupid idiots in America, what are the chances these lots just keep on posting crap on DNO day in day out just trying to destroy Dominica and Labour administrations, Never in my life have i seen a so-called political party like that lots Workers crap lies and supporters haters.
http://antiguaobserver.com/antiguan-and-barbudan-cip-citizen-in-major-us-justice-department-case/
http://antiguaobserver.com/cip-citizen-alleged-mastermind-behind-worlds-biggest-online-black-market/
Just to show that some of the due diligence is not worth the paper it is written on.
Mr. Astaphan, please address the issue of diplomatic passports to Alireza Monfared, Alison Madueke, Francesco Corallo. Tell us that the information chronicled by Lennox Linton is wrong. Not a word from you or your client, only attempts to turn the public’s attention away from that subject that is doing so much harm to our country’s image. Please, clean that up first. In this case silence is not golden but tantamount to an admission of guilt. Thank you.
The issue you are asking Mr. Astaphan to address has already been addressed. Your assumption that such matter has not been addressed tells me you have not been following the course of events taking place regarding such matters. Your ignorance of the fact that such matters were not addressed does not in any way make such information cease to exist. If you do not inform yourself on such matter how are you going to make an informed opinion, sadly to say that ‘s what you have done.
This is a bad move for Skerrit. A really bad move. It is reported that Rijock has Black Cube (a litigations firm supported by former CIA and Mossad agents) in his defence team. Skerrit will lose this one spectacularly which will be excellent for Dominica!!!
UK Dominican
I would suggest before you call for Mr. Astaphan to divulge information about your alleged diplomatic passport which by way has not been proven, you should probably ask the source to explain to us what was the 3 million for if it was not for the sale of diplomatic passport when they would have entered office. They admitted they received the cash so just explain where did it go? why did they collect it? Who did it come from and what was the intent?
No one seems to be addressing it.
Stop playing politics when it is convenient for you.
We all have a right to support which ever side we want, but we have to be fair and not encourage propaganda when it pertains to one party and sweep it under the carpet when it pertains to another.
Have you ever heard the saying, that when you point one finger at someone you have four others pointing at you? First look at your party then when you are satisfied that their are clean and transparent then criticize the other side.
What is a bad move for Skerrit? Please be specific so we can make sense of your comment. We do not read in codes we read words. Stop using the terms alleged and find your facts. Alleged is propaganda so if that is what your intent is then be clear, other wise wait when you have something of value that is worth reading and plan, write and rewrite then post your comment. Otherwise you sound as foolish as the other man..
Address Linton’s allegations and stop farting around. This has nothing to do with party this or party that but wrongfull actions by greedy individuals that put our country in the shit and make me ambarrass to say I am Dominican. That’s all.
Hahahaha and he was running away?
you too ambitious
In history, this will go down as a self-inflicted wound
I want a front sit, do you know who Rijock’s lawyers are. Tony you can play all tough byt you and Skerrit going down.
American Trump that is a very interesting name. Do you know that Donald Trump is now looked upon as the most idiotic, liar, traitor to the United States and an incompetent leader? This is not a name of endearment so I would suggest you rethink.
Anyhow you ask the public “Do you know who Rijock’s lawyers are? my question to you is do you? and if you do can you share with us so we can look it up? How is Skerrit going down? A court case is win or loose. He is not going to jail.
stop inciting fear in people and be factual.
Nations are always destroyed from within with the help of foreign entities, there is no possibility that the Dominica gov’t can win in the USA court going forward. The USA are not willing to give up any WHITE NATIONAL to a foreign country to be tried. the law states that there is no law in DOMINICA that need to be respected, apparently, Dominica is not in tune with imperialist laws, asked Antigua about their winning case against the USA. Let it be known that the real enemies of DOMINICA are Dominicans themselves, not being able to articulate LOVE/HATE FROM LOVE.
DNO if allyou can get a copy of the “Process of Service” document allyou must be able to obtain the actual complaint,,,
So go to Asstaphans fellow and tell him to give allyou the copy just as he gave allyou this document allyou published with this article,,,
Dont let Workers fool you all they have alot of Lawsuits They owe that money they took form these men with the hope that they would win the Election they do the same thing they accusing Skeritt of doing. Unfortunately for them they Lost so they have to pay back and cant afford thats why they want to DESTROY THE GOVERNMENT they know the Government Bank account is Healthy they want to come in to pay their debts God forbid its not going to happen
Stop the speculation ALL OF YOU HATERS .You all should be happy if Rijock has something
on the DLP STOP BELCHING BUBBLES just wait the man has his day in court A man trying to destroy the image of our Country and you all supporting that
Well done Mr Tony Astaphan, you and your team of legal professionals doing a great job for the majority of Dominicans keep the good work going thanks.
My question is that . Can Royal Williams ( Bogaroy) in Miami and Q95 and Mat Peltier be sued for publication and fasilitation. Roy is always on facebook exhaulting Rijock and reposting his article. Mat on Q95 is always accommodating him.
Can Lennox and UWP sue Sam Raphael for lying about the $12 million.
Can any legal mind like Ronald B Charles throw some light on this matter.
If their is anybody that needs to be sued, is you, Emile Dominique. I should sue you for calling me Royal Williams and not Roy Williams. My nickname name is BogoRoy and not BogaRoy. Maybe you don’t have any democratic right to support a media personnel of your choose, in Dominica, I have a democratic right to support a media personnel of my choose, in Miami, Florida.
They cannot sue Sam as long as Edison remains silent who had indicated that he can out of retirement. Edison please call the line Simeon left open for you.
Why Edison and not Timothy?
Let the battle begin.I’ve got no skin in this game however I can’t wait to see the long awaited legal battle in which some very revealing information is expected to be revealed if the judge in the case allows it to be admitted in evidence.Let the battle begin.
Let’s see what happen because Tony and Skerrit own the Judges they have no back bone I will be watching that case because it’s time someone put Tony in his place.
@ Jonathan St Jean….there will be no battle. Royjock will not come to Dominica. He is a fake and will disappear address unknown. He will keep on blogging and his friend Bogaroy will keep on sharing his post, then BOGAROY and his crew of ungrateful traitors will face the full force of the law. They think because they live in the USA they are untouchable.
“their is a place them , somewhere a place for them one day place for them”
Bro you come from a country now run by a big joker. I Read an article where a big US senator is now saying he is now ashamed to be called an American. You will eventually say the same for yourself. Mind your business my brother and stop meddling in another’s country’s affairs.
This man has said so many things and was never sued and Tony never challenged or said anything about suing, all he was doing was saying that what rijock was saying were lies but never prove or show us facts to prove what the man was saying were lies. Why now when he spoke about 10000 passports he is being sued. I did not believe him on that one, but the others sounds more truthful. So can it be that this one is actually untrue (a lie) and all the other things he has been saying were true?….Hmmmmmm. This is going to be so interesting. There is more going on than is being said……..TRAPPED.
I am all in favor of this lawsuit. Why? because Dominicans want to know if the DLP sold passports under the table. So, if the government is suing Rijock who claim to have all the facts of illegal passport sale at his disposal by this administration, then I would assume that he would disclose the truth to back such allegation. Right? So what are you all beefing about. That is a good LAWSUIT.
Alireza Monfared is a Dominican citizen, now languishing in a jail in Iran. I don’t condone what he did but his comrades sucked him before taking their thirty pieces of silver to throw him under the bus. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
Awa Tony, you working for the enemy against our pm. Why it took you so long to serve Rijock? Why you waited until all secrets are being revealed to the point no one can doubt now, for you to serve him? No wonder Mano in town walking like he seeing jumbee, with his head down to the point that anytime he sees somebody walking with a suite and tie, he stopping because he thinks is an FBI agent. See what all you did to the young man boy Tony. Those boys in serious trouble already and to sue Rijock now when you know he will come with more bombshells and support from Trump? That’s a setup boy Tony
Wishful posting?
After carefully listening to both sides of the argument I feel taking Mr. Rijock to court is the best thing to ever happen to Dominica, providing there’s not a secret settlement, like in the case of Matt, or an organized delay like in the case against Dr. Fontaine. While I believe it’s a good move for Dominica but clearly a very disturbing and destroying one for the PM, especially in light of what is surfacing on the web, so everyone can see and, the Revelation of Linton on July 9, where he gave unquestionable evidence, called names and letters between Monfared and representative of the government. Based on information I have seen, what was disclosed by Linton, and the slow but interesting way the US moved in on our former ambassador, Mrs Allison Madueke, I am now left to wonder if Tony Astaphan is not a US agent, to bring flat down PM Skerrit. For Tony to sue Rijock at this time, knowing full well what is out there, is unbelievable and really has me wondering if Tony not a spy
After Rijok fall flat on his face what will be your cry? Skerrit buy the CIA?
Rijock said he will be taking the matter to the US State Department, will be taking court action and will be filing a counter-suit and a “third party complaint” against other people who he said have slandered him.
Good move rijock file a counter suit for skerrit, francine and de rest of the cabal to come in the US court system.
Perhaps someone might want to explain who Joon Kim, the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York is, and that the Money Laundering Control Act confers extraterritorial jurisdiction.
I forget to say if that is a summons served on someone in America, that is illegal that is not a legal summons in America, in the first place the “et al.” is nonsense. In America it would read Roosevelt Skerrit Tony Astaphan And Does.
For a man who want to be a lawyer in America should know these things. Tony boy the way I see it you will never ever pass any State Bar in America!
mr rijock,
i think you should present the people of Dominica every single piece of evidence you will present in this case… no hiding and gag orders, let everything be revealed
Nothing is going to come out of that; if Tony can sue Rijock in Dominica, Rijock can do the same to him in Miami, we have written defamatory comments made about Rijock by Tony, which I am sure Tony cannot substantiate, nor defend in a court in America.
What is good for the goose is also good for the gander: watch out Tony your time will come, you may have lots of regrets, you can screw with people in Dominica, but I think you Skerrit and Francine will end up holding the short end of the stick. Remember you have assets in Mimi!
And those of you who tremble over my fate, that Tony will sue too, I am not worried I can handle, and deal with any situation!
This is all we are interested in, other names and the seal on the containers. Turn to prosecution witness, we can be very lenient if we have to, in exceptional cases. I was looking for it, on vedio,in the roro.
This Government is an embarrassment to Dominica. They want to dwell on frivolous lawsuits against those who oppose them. Now that the CBI program is exposed for mismanagement and incompetence, their only recourse is filing lawsuits to generate funds.
Tony failed to mention that it is the the US State itself that has hired Mr. Rijock for his criminal expertise. He is their own personal ex criminal advises and consults them on fraud and money laundering.
Tony Astaphan this case may just be the final end to the Labour Party. When you see Rijock expose you all the U.S media will be following this case very closely. TIME WILL TELL!
Really? Then why was he hiding? I tired hear about final nail in coffin maybe its your coffin
Who said Rijock was hiding? You can find him on White Pages in the U.S.A. Tony is just spinning another yarn.
Well Dominicans wouldn’t have to slander your name if you didn’t meddle in our business. P.S. Your useless threats with the USSD won’t deter this!
on a different note, why is this saga not coming to a halt and the affairs of the country being looked into.
this saga is draining the country because help us God, the money is not coming from Francine or Skerrit pocket. good money that can feed someone in San Souvir, or Morepack or Silver Lake.
Don’t know why money is being misappropriated for personal gains.
Doh put Moorepark in your fing. We safe and our Parl Rep taking care of us or rather doing her work
Oh, what work would that be?
where is all the cost of this case gong to stem from. This is a private encounter and national funds should not be involved. there needs to be an audit trail to ensure that the government money is not paying for this lawsuit.
Pure bull,this is going nowhere,Tony stopp fooling the people,Really think the US will take this crap serious and when did PELLAM GET SO INVOLVED WITH THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT.
Stop make Rijock fool you. This man doesn’t have credibility in his own homeland, much less!
Does Simeon have credibility, really???
Anybody,anywhere that can expose the numerous ills of our passport programme,will be doing justice to Dominica.I know you will Mr Rijock!
MONFARED USED HIS DOMINICA DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT TO EVADE IRANIAN ARREST WARRANT
This document* shows that Alireza Monfared was arrested, in Malaysia, on November 27, 2015, on a warrant issued by the Islamic Republic of Iran. It details his Iranian, Dominican CBI, and Dominican diplomatic passports, which were seized at the time of his arrest. Malaysian sources have confirmed that Monfared was held by the authorities, for ten days, and released, after he claimed diplomatic immunity, based upon his Dominican Diplomatic passport. Monfared had no diplomatic assignment, nor title or position, in Malaysia, rendering his status illegitimate as a diplomat, under the Vienna Convention.
He is one of a number of foreign nationals who, when being taken into custody for criminal matters, have attempted to cheat justice by asserting diplomatic immunity, all using the bogus Dominica diplomatic passports they purchased. Notwithstanding his fugitive status, Dominica gave him refuge, and failed to…
Well I do hope that within the short time Mr Rijock does everything necessary to get himself fully prepared for this case. Hope you Mr Rijock contact all those agencies, departments and personnel that can be of assistance to you, and Dominica, because Dominica is a badly broken and badly governed country.
I am a constant reader of your blogs, and I shall continue to be. It is so refreshing to know that you are not Dominican, but have been speaking out on what you perceive to be the numerous wrongs on island, referring to our passport programme.
WISH YOU EXPOSE EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW, which will help Dominica.
Love You Sir, and I look to you tearing down your opponents in the court soon.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Typical house slave reasoning. Hate your own and embrace your master.
Bitter end. I like that. The Duke!!!! I will be stocking up on popcorn. Can the case be carried live. May be good exposure for Dominica. Have MSNBC or CNN carry live. Free press.
i think it should be carried live so we all can see and hear the evidence… but knowing this corrupt regime. it will be a closed court
Codswallop. Kenneth Walton Rijock is listed on White pages as living in Key Biskayne (Miami). I don’t know why Tony would make such a story about locating him and using a private detective. Perhaps to justify his bill to the government?
and i hope is skerrit that paying for the case, and not cbi money
Well not if the people of DA votes this government out of office Mr. Attorney then their will be no need to fight because there will be no more $$$$$$ left. It is all about the $$$$$ Mr. Attorney isn’t it?