Chairman of the Canefield Urban Council Simeon Albert has presented a document which he said is proof that he was victorious in a high court matter involving him, a former employee, a resident of Canefield and a past member of the council.
Albert told Dominica News Online that this high court document shows a judgment of the court which orders him to be paid damages by two of the defendants- Michael Coipel and Maximea Powell- who had accused him of misappropriating council funds last year. Another defendant, Oscar Coipel is said to have agreed to settle the matter outside of court.
“I was accused by the three defendants of having committed theft … misappropriation of council funds-having given a guy to do a project and paid him more than what the job cost so that I could get the difference. That was last year…. First I wrote them (the defendants) asking them for a public apology…. They refused, instead Mr Micheal Coipel went on the radio and said they will never apologize,” Albert stated.
He noted that after bringing the matter to court last year, the defendants failed to come up with a defense up to June 2, 2010. Consequently, Albert’s legal team filed an application for judgment in default on June 2.
The council chairman said that he filed for judgment in default against all three defendants but was only awarded judgment against the first and third defendants.
The first hearing for the matter was held on June 3, 2010 before the Masters Court, which was later adjourned for June 29, 2010.
The defendants were ordered to pay the damages caused by the allegations, according to a document Albert presented to DNO (see image below). He said that all that remains to be done is a settlement of these costs, adding “So although they have not settled with me as to pay my lawyer fees, pay me for damages and for defamation and all the rest of it, but I am satisfied today that judgment has been awarded and that settlement will come.”
Contradicting stories
In a previous media interview, Michael Coipel however said the information given by Albert is incorrect, since the day of the mediation meeting the defense lawyer was unable to attend.
“I do not know if the chairman of the council is unaware of what is actually happening. A meeting was held in the community on the matter of which Albert was present, along with me and other individuals. I asked questions about the financial affairs of the council to Albert and he sent a lawyer paper for me and two other members. That matter has never reached the court,” Coipel claimed.
“On June 15, 2010, the members went to mediation but only the lawyer for the claimant (Albert) was present because our lawyer could not make it. Hence the matter was pushed back to July 19, 2010. We all were present but our lawyers were at court again,” he stated.
Coipel said the court has not taken any decision on the matter.
“We were told that mediation is to rectify that problem. I don’t understand why the chairman would go publicly to give the impression that the court has taken a decision when we have not even spoken to mediation,” he added.
Coipel believes Albert is on a mission to tarnish his character as he plans to contest the Canefield Urban Council elections in September, and he knows he will defeat him at the polls.
A ploy to destroy
Meanwhile Albert told DNO he is convinced that the entire issue was politically motivated.
“I having been the chairman of the Canefield Urban Council for nine years this year. I am also the Public Relations Officer for the Dominica Labour Party, for the past seven, eight years . I am a very public person in terms of my political affiliation and politics of course, sometime take its toll at different levels. The gentlemen are opposed to me politically.
“I being a dynamic person in terms of my politics where Labour Party is concerned they came into the council with the intention that they could get me out, and one of the ways they could get me out and to defeat me basically in the eyes of the public is to accuse me of having committed theft. They sort of came together and planned all of that … I believe that this thing is politically motivated and it is ploy by them to destroy my character,” Albert said.
@Canefield Resident Too: You must be sick or enjoying some of what he is taking, go and examine your conscience Shame on You
I live in Canefield and I fully support the work and effort of Simeon Albert. I see no reason why he will not be re-elected to continue the general upliftment of the Canefield Community.
What a comesss in dominica! eh beh weh papa!!!! caval !!!!!!!!!!!!
@shy: How can a Councillor be taken to court for discussing matters affecting the efficient functioning of the Council. There’s so much non-sense going on in that Council, its time for Simeon and his Council (those that sheilding his non-sense) to pack up and make way for people who want to move Canefield to a next level to come in. We the people of Canefield had enough of Simeon Albert. He is on all boards now, so he is very much occupied and is being paid to work on these boards, so he can do the honourable thing now and let some new blood come in. three (3) terms is enough, from what I am hearing a dictatorship is now creeping in the Canefield Urban Council and we the residents need to step in and take our affairs out of Simeon Albert and Mensma Alexis hands. Canefield Urban Council is not about family affairs or spouse business its our business.
I sometimes listen to the Council’s discussion and its pathetic. The Council is not Simeon Albert’s personal business to do as he please. Canefield is dirty and all I see is a gang of men cleaning by the high way /main road to and from Roseau, the inner section of Canefield is a disgrace. We have a Park for our children to recreate and the Council leases the land to a lady to store containers and our children have nowhere to play. This Council is not working in our interest. Park Up and Get Out make way for people with our interest at heart to come and do what is necessary for us to live comfortable in Canefield. OUT!!! Simeon with your POLITICS OUT
Concerned Resident
simeon boy,one day all you must fall time will tell…enjoy it while it last i hear you even have boat with two big engines good..
Corrupt people seeking the protection of the court is real abuse of the system while there are genuine matters to be resolved . . . you can run in front with your stupid piece of paper but when the rest comes out you will have no where to hide. . . not even the so called fishing BOAT will save you.
@I know: to wuick to judge, check yourself.
Tim Tim
stop attacking people, I eager to know why Mr. Abert was so quick to go to the media, and if the matter is before a mediator what is Mr. Albert doing with a signed document from the registra.
Why is Simeon so busy to go to the media if this case is in the hands of the mediator and how did he happen to have that document signed by the registra, what is going on? Mr. Albert is boasting of his tenure in the Council but he is slowly bringing this institutiion into disrepute.. The Canefield rban Council needs new blood and hard working people.
Capie
people like Simeon need to stop that politic thing and solve thier problem without talking about a labour party these things really sicken me now he talking like they have so much control over the people of Canefeild sometime when i hear him talk it sicken my belly to the bone he just need to shut up and stop boasting hinself oh by the way Simeon i trainup Bra for you
Mr. Coipel you are a friend, but I have lesson to you on numerous occasions giving me stories and they just don t add up. Here it is another example. You need to live up and stop the lies you have been telling, it wont take you anywhere. As an adult I wont use this nedium to mention a few, base on principal I willrefrain. Let me warn you Mr. Coipel, if you continue to unleash your lying tongue I will have no choice but to give the public an idea of some of the things you have said to me….Please stop the lies…we can all do without lies my friend.
At first i did not understand what was really going on because simeon is saying on thing and coipel is saying another. But now i have read the court judgement and it is clear that simeon was rite all the time. Mr coipel u made a fool of yourself and u just prove to the people of canefield wat a liar u are and should not b trusted. Apologize to the people of canefield u are trying to put division in the community.
now that the evidence is rite infront of us,wat is coipel and his friends saying. Get a life boy and stop putting problem and tell your brother the loan simeon sign for your bother and never pay back.
I take it none of you were at the council meeting last night!!!
bwavo…that decision dont worth much..i too understand it was placed aside to allow a defence to be placed soa true judgment can be rendered based on facts
Is Michael Copel an imbecil?
He does not understand that there is a valid court judgement against him?
Michael Coipel is too much confusion. He needs to pay up and keep his big mouth shut. He will never win if he goes up for the council because the people are fed up with him. Just talk talk and more talk. The judge just need to determine the about
It’s my understanding that this decision, which Simeon Abbert talks about, has been set aside by the Court.