AG to attend meeting on money laundering and terrorist financing

Attorney General Levi Peter
Attorney General Levi Peter

Dominica’s Attorney General Levi Peter will represent Dominica at the upcoming Financial Action Task Force (FATF) 40+9 Recommendations plenary scheduled to take place from May 27-28th, 2013 in Nicaragua.

The FATF Recommendations are the internationally endorsed global standards against money laundering and terrorist financing. These recommendations increase transparency and enable countries to successfully take action against illicit use of their financial system.

Dominica’s Legal Affairs Minister Ian Douglas, says Dominica’s participation is necessary as the island continues to position itself to be a valuable player in the financial services sector in the region.

“The plenary is where you go and report on your jurisdiction on what actions have been taken to continue to make the jurisdiction compliant with the requirements of the FATF. In Dominica’s case, the Attorney General Hon. Levi Peter will represent Dominica at that plenary,” he confirmed.

Douglas noted that there are a number of recommendations that the FATF direct the jurisdictions to put in place to ensure their compliance.

He said it’s imperative that Dominica remains compliant.

“If you are non-compliant you become blacklisted and it really interferes and jeopardizes a country’s ability to continue to be a player in the financial services sector,” Douglas argued.

The FATF Recommendations set out a comprehensive and consistent framework of measures which countries should implement in order to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, as well as the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Countries have diverse legal, administrative and operational frameworks and different financial systems, and so cannot all take identical measures to counter these threats.

The FATF Recommendations, therefore, set an international standard, which countries should implement through measures adapted to their particular circumstances.

The Dominica Parliament very recently unanimously passed a piece of legislation, the  Money Laundering (Prevention) Amendment Act no 2 of 2013 which was seen as a move in the right direction towards achieving FATF compliance.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

23 Comments

  1. Doc Love
    May 27, 2013

    On many occations,I wish DNO would place an Editor’s note or edit certain comments instead of having them totally deleted. DNO deleted my comments on the Money Laundering Bill, most of my comments were taken from the news written by DNO concerning the Nessmann Group Advertisement. Maybe ,it was because I commented that Dominica was in the process of opening its doors to Money Launderers and Terrorists. When you invite someone facing extradiction to apply for a new Passport, who are you inviting, Christians. When you invite someone who has problems with the Federal or State Courts to apply for a new Passport,who are you inviting, a Priest, Bishop , the Editor of DNO,the Prime Minister of a Country.

  2. Pagua River
    May 27, 2013

    Charity begins at ‘cabinet’ level Mr. Levi. Start investigation those who surround you first.

  3. Anonymous
    May 27, 2013

    All of this is just hype to get FATF off our backs .. but for how long? We cannot be serious about money laundering in Dominica when so many young people who are not “employed” are driving around in expensive vehicles.

    Too make legislation is one thing … to enforce it quite another.

  4. Justice and Truth
    May 26, 2013

    United we stand, divided we fall. Dominica has reasons to comply. The smaller countries are also targets of money laundering. Since it is more difficult to do so in the bigger countries, they will obviously set their eyes on smaller countries and could be successful if they are undetected and allowed to flourish.
    It is a start. All countries should cooperate in this case. It is to their benefit.

  5. Who vex...........
    May 26, 2013

    who the cap fit let em wear it.Only the guilty will put in their 5 cents where their mouths are.
    Bloody hypos.

  6. Who vex...........
    May 26, 2013

    Contradictions

  7. Honesty
    May 25, 2013

    :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?: Look who’s talking?Wrong set of people and government to ever speak against any illegal activities,the government generally is illegal!Talking about money laundering and terrorism?Everyone knows that talk is cheap,as a man sow shall he reap!Is the act against G.O.N Emmanuell not terrorism,what did government ministers find themselves doing on national radio doing?Protecting and defending those involved!A man was caught in Barbados with gun and armunitions on his to Dominica,yet a minister was on radio making a foolish excuse,saying the man was only coming to visit his child!Was the minister and government not concerned about the man killing his child and the mother :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: :?:

  8. Far Away
    May 25, 2013

    I want to commend the Regime for the amendments to the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Acts to meet the international. However, these amendments are done to satisfy these outside agencies. The Money Laundering Act was just repealed and replaced in 2011 and here we are with an amendment. Whereas, those legislations that benefit citizens can’t be brought before parliament: Family Law Act (None existent); Evidence Act (currently last revised in 1961); Bail Act (None existent) and the list goes on. We look forward to these within the shortest possible time frame.

  9. Doc. love
    May 25, 2013

    The Skerrit Labor Government could not be serious about sending the Attorney General Levi Peter to represent Dominica at any Financial Action Task Force meeting in Nicaragua or any other country in the world, unless the Government can disassociate itself from the Nessmann Group. On one hand you are putting laws in place to prevent Money laundering and Terrorism and on the other hand you are telling people from the whole wide world that if they face extradition from their country, they could apply for a Dominican Pass Port.If they are owing child support, dont worry, just apply for a Dominican Passport.If they have problems with Federal or State Courts,a Dominican Passport is the way to go. In my opinion, the advertisement by the Nessmann Group,is a clear indication that Dominica could be opening its doors to Money launderer and Terrorists.

  10. Dominican
    May 24, 2013

    The very reason for the rush in Parliament to amend the laws ahead of the plenary. I was wondering why all of the amendments at one point.

    According to Douglas>>>”The plenary is where you go and report on your jurisdiction on what actions have been taken to continue to make the jurisdiction compliant with the requirements of the FATF” … to avoid being blacklisted.

    Further why isn’t a team of representatives from the FIU/FSU accompanying the Attorney General? Levi Peter go and tell all your tales so only you can absolve yourself. Good luck comrad..!

  11. guarding the guard?
    May 24, 2013

    we must never forget, always remember that heinous crime, that of the fire-bombing of a young police Officer investigating money-laundering in our country. What is happening to the investigations? Stalled? Magwe sa.

    The poor innocent policeman is simply doing his job, protecting us and the country from criminal acts of money-laundering and its accompanying other illegalities. In many countries, ours included, those engaged in those acts are well protected by the SYSTEM. All kinds of schemes are planned to “wash” their “dirty” money.

    Research shows and it has been found out that casino gambling (slot- machine), several off-shore banks, etc. are avenues for money-laundering.

    Is not the ordinary, struggling citizen who engage in those criminal acts. So who will guard the guards?

  12. JUDGE DREDD
    May 24, 2013

    AG, what about all that money that left dominica and went to antigua, barbados and back to dominica to pay for some over priced garbaged bin…

  13. May 24, 2013

    I was trying to figure out why the money Laundering thingy was so urgent at the last sitting of parliament. Now I understand hmmmmm. This guys are so conniving it laughable. People had been talking about money laundering in in Dominica for years and it was declared untrue. One thing for sure is that the US is applying the pressure on the Cayman islands and all those offshore financial areas and people with hidden accounts are getting uncomfortable. Wait and see

    • Justice and Truth
      May 26, 2013

      In the past the banks stood to gain additional customers who deposited exorbitant sums of money. At that time depositors were not questioned about how they obtained the money. It was easy to deposit, withdraw and transfer such sums with no questions asked.
      The identical situation occurred in those progressive countries. The government was either informed about it or got smarter and issued directives to the financial institutions. Those institutions had no alternative but to comply with the government’s regulation.
      Some of those offshore accounts may not be legitimate. Some of the money may be the avails of crimes and/or tax evasion. Therefore, specifically the US as world leader is involving other countries, whatever their size to follow suit. It makes good sense. It is for the protection of all countries and others who may be adversely affected through money laundering and crimes.

  14. Frabo
    May 24, 2013

    And they going to Nicaragua to discuss it? yes i. Pray for his safety.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 26, 2013

      :lol: I hope you do too. They should have security. The Nicaraguan government is the host and should provide security to ensure their safety.

  15. mister not serious!!
    May 24, 2013

    he should investigate his own colleagues and stop wasting peoples time!

  16. comment
    May 24, 2013

    interestingly in which part of of financial sector Dominica is a player? IBC Act was not updated for years, LLP/LLC law doesn’t exist, foundation law doesn’t exist, international exempt trust law was drafted in 1996 but no trust was established up to date, captive insurance non-existent, mutual fund law doesn’t exist, offshore banking non-existent…so what exactly is Dominica product on financial services market? Economic Citizenship?

  17. Me Alone
    May 24, 2013

    OH God. This is a very important and detrimental to our countries financial framework. hoping the team which accompanies the AG is fully prepared and competent. Do your best guys. We need Dominica to stay away from being on the Black List.

    • Me again
      May 24, 2013

      Is there a team? I read no mention of anyone accompanying our AG.

      • Anonymous
        May 25, 2013

        Yes there is a Team the AG will be accompanied by Mr.Monel and Mr.Lestrade from the FSU as well as Miss. Felix from Legal Affairs and Mr.George and Mr.Lander from the FIU. Facts..

      • Patriot
        May 25, 2013

        Yes, there’s a team comprising of personnel of the FIU, FSU and AG’s Office.

  18. Sensible Dominican
    May 24, 2013

    Very good effort Dominica. It feels good to read that Dominica is taking steps to comply with FATF 40 Recommendations. We cannot affort to be blacklisted again. All the very best AG and Team at the CFATF Plenary next week.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available