US-based controversial blogger, Kenneth Rijock has said he is standing by his story which has earned him a threat of legal action in Dominica.
In a recent blog, he alleged that the Ambassador to Dominica of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mohamed Benjilany, visited Dominica recently, met repeatedly with Prime Minister Skerrit, and allegedly acquired thousands of blank official Dominica passports.
Senior Counsel, Tony Astaphan responded by saying that he has received instructions from the cabinet and the Attorney General to take legal action against Rijock.
In response, Rijock stated his position to Dominica News Online via email.
“I stand by my story,” he stated. “If Attorney Astaphan wishes to file a civil suit against me, that is his right, but he had better clearly identify his client as the plaintiff.”
Rijock had a threat of his own saying that if the suit is filed, he intends to file a counterclaim under the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) alleging that the “government is acting like an organized crime syndicate, and it represents a clear and present danger, not just to the people of Dominica, but to the nations of the Western Hemisphere.”
Last week Astaphan stated that Rijock, a compliance officer specializing in Enhanced Due Diligence, and a Financial Crime Consultant, will be facing legal action.
His blog, Kenneth Rijock’s Financial Crime Blog, has caused great controversy in Dominica and Astaphan said that “enough is enough.”
In the past Rijock claimed that Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, was being investigated by US authorities for his alleged role in the matter involving ex-Dominican diplomat, Ali Reza Ziba Halat Monfared.
Let the action proceed,I am waiting in the slips for a catch.The fact that Rijock is being defiant portends well for Dominican Patriots, because it will reveal the truth about this government’s resolve to defend the good name of Dominica and stand up for her.The government failed miserable first time around when it went into hiding regarding the CBS 60 minutes program,where it failed to be on record as defending the country’s good name.My only concern is that Tony Ass-ta-phan doesn’t mind going to court because he stands to make a lot of money, however if the government loses then we the tax payers will be left paying Tony and the costs and punitive damages to Mr Rijock and his attorney.Also the facts that Skerritt and others who are part of his criminal enterprises will be asked to testify will be a good way for the truth to finally come out.
all u like to take legal action, but when you decide to settle out of court MR Rijock will not settle for little money like mat. hope all u have plenty money.
I smell something and it is not perfume. I am also hearing something and it is not music. I feel something coming and have this to say: Mr. sr. counsel, get out of the kitchen ’cause before it gets too hot!
Boss Rijock I laughing…..but I still going to help you. Get the company in Canada to say that they did produced and exported the said 10 000 blank pasports to Dominica. The Canada company monitoring these blank passports from birth till death. Get the senior civil servant in Dominica to say that he/she did indeed received the said 10 000 from the said company in Canada and secured them in a vault in a vault. Get senior police officer and the senior civil servant with the only two keys to the vault in a vault to say that they open the vault and counted 10 000 blank passports from the said vault in a vault and gave them to Skerrit. Get Skerrit to say he gave them to the ambassador, and the ambassador that he sold them to criminals. Get the criminals to say that they bought the blanks passports that cannot be used, and are using them to get through international airport security.
Then Boss Rijock, explain to them how the ambassador carry 10 000 passports (over 900 pounds) in a briefcase. If he put them in boxes, get the owner of the vehicle to explain how he transported a certain number of boxes to the airport. Get the airline to say that the ambassador did indeed travel with a certain number of boxes. Then explain to them how comes the only machine that can make the said 10 000 passport machine readable and genuine Dominica passports are in the hands of Dominica immigration who works under the authority of a senior financial civil servant who works under the authority of the said company in Canada. All transaction of passports are monitored by that said company in Canada,…. so dear Rijock to prove your case you will have to accuse that said company in Canada of corruption and racketeering.
hahaha this guy’s s a joker… apparently he thinks Dominica is a black American person and not a sovereign country. RICO laws are American laws not international or Dominican law! They obviously do not apply to other countries, that like a Dominican forestry officer trying to arrest an American for fishing in the Mississippi river becasue its not quibish season
Skerrit should be aware of this case and its outcomes.
Pas chigoney kaka!
UWPites feel offended when Tony defends or speaks as a Dominican IN THE INTREST OF THE GOVERNMENT AND SKERRIT when they(uwpites) seek to destroy the country(Dominica) but support and aid a BLUE eye man (Rijock) who knows nothing about Dominica to TRASH it(Dominica) to the gutters with his false NEWS. Rijock can speak on behalf of the UWP but UWPites feel Tony shouldn’t talk on behalf of Skeerit and the Government.
So a person should try to destroy my sweet Dominica and we should stay mute about it? I don’t think so. I want Tony to take him to court self, let me see the black eye Rijok says he want to give Dominica. Let me see if Skerrit alone that’s going to suffer. Some people think it’s a joke. Whosoever that’s paying this man to black eye Dominica, all of them so will suffer and their family. Its not about colour and party side, its about protecting Dominica. Take your fight to Skerrit, not to take down Dominica. Just because you can’t take out Skerrit there, you will take Dominica to the slaughter house to get to become PM?
Attorney:: ……..Hmmmmm
Attorney:: How can I make another 1Million US dollars before they take this regime out?
Attorney:: PM I think is time to sue Rijock.
LOL!!!!!
http://wicnews.com/caribbean/dominica-to-take-legal-action-against-blogger-today-2646700/
Tony should call Rijock\’s bluff. Now that Rijock realizes that he is between a rock and a hard place because he has no evidence to back him up he is trying to use scare tactics. If Rijock was confident in his accusations he should have no fear and let the lawsuit against him happen. If the government of Dominica loses his legal costs would be paid then he could counter sue. Obviously, he does not have legs to stand on so he is resorting to such behavior. I hereby call upon Tony and the government of Dominica to go ahead with the lawsuit. I am very confident that we will be victorious and the UWP will be exposed for who they are.
Dear Expat
What planet are you living on? It must be the planet of the blind.
For starters, the US would not extradite any of its citizens so Rijock has nothing to fear from a mouthpiece like Astaphan. The CCJ already is under suspicion for poor service and cronyism. It is the main reason why Astaphan wants to hold court in the West Indies not the US courts. However, as he has already implicated Skerritt as the complainant then things would be very interesting unless he can avoid Skerritt in the dock which wouldnt be easy. Remember that dude can barely string a sentence together even when reading a script.
Also bear in mind that serving heads of state are rarely prosecuted while in office so once Skerrit is out that touchpaper will be blazing. Sometimes, the best defence is a pre-emptive strike, however, in this case it probably isnt. Maybe its the begInning of the end my friend, but this action will actually expose the DLP more that is currently being realised. Happy dreams…
Pay this goat no mind people he just like to talk let him be. He is a nobody.
Maybe the goat knows what he is talking about, no?
Skerrit and Anthony Astaphan can say what they want but their much talking cannot stop the issues from making mileage. Skerrit needs to stop being misled by Tony and realize that their is a lot of information against him in the international world and it’s just a matter of time. It’s alright for them to curse Linton and the opposition but it is something quite different cursing an American attorney who no doubt has his sources and tons on info on Skerrit. I have no doubt that his threat to Rijock has opened a can of worms and they will no doubt come back to bite Skerrit. My advise to him is to call a public inquire before it gets too late for him because the clock is clicking against him.
Crabs in a barrel I tell you….typical Dominica
Let the games begin! Rijock is not Matt Peltier! Tony why don’t you guys work of litigating all the lawsuits against TRUTH SEEKERS you guys have in the pipeline instead of filing news ones! Dominicans are so gullible!
Is there going to be legal action? I just read the news on wicnews.com and it seems like he will be served……
RICO is a US statute which has no application in Dominica, the jurisdiction in which the action is being brought against Rijock!!!
So instead of retracting his malicious claims or providing the public with proof he threatens counteraction with RICO? Get real Rijock!
RICO is real so lets see if his accusations stand up if DLP (Skerritt) aint done anything wrong. Dont be scared, homie!!
Be sure to those who are perpetrating these idiotic political rethrotic it will come back to hunt you. Play with the Blue Eye Devil and there will be a payback day. Why would a person in their right thinking mind distroy the country, they claim they love? YOU have chosen the devil AS your bed partner. . A. The news the the man is posting isn’t distroying Skerro! B. Politically you are laying with a flee invested dog.
Sometimes a fool is best left to his own devices
whoss too tossh, now the action start.
Dont throw stones if you know you live in glass house.
Thats right Rijock…Scare tactics..Not with Rijock!
SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO!
SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!
But the Novice cannot come,%.
% Skettit was placed in that position by the ballot. That is The wish and will of the people. Your dangerous over zealous ambition is appalling and pathetic. Do you ever think of the consequences of your phycopathic relentlessly rethrotic. You are harming not Skerro but thousands of other people. You are betraying the country. Now my chant is Linton must be tried. Linton must be punished for betraying our country. Liston must be deported. You have freedom of speech, I also have the same.. You are the problem, while you are ochestrating the demise of our nation, we are praying for you %.
Dear One Love Bro
Spellcheck is free so make some effort to stop making us look semi literate at best.
The ballot of which you speak is supported by the red clinic, sporadic handouts and a manipulated electoral roll bouyed by non resident passport sales. Your loyalty to the current regime is based on your hunger and reluctance to lose the meagre offerings that are dropped in your bowl. In the same way that house slaves were happy that they receive better food than the field slaves, is the same way Skerritt has much of his support on the island. By keeping you poor and ignorant, you see sunshine when he bends and never have the inclination to look beyond. Progress is what happens elswhere in the Caribbean as successive wealthy interest have sought to keep this island backwards because it keeps them in power to enable generating wealth from you poverty. I hope one day you might get this explained to you in real detail – if you can be bothered to look past the next free meal.
In 2037
@ crap % when white man speaks you say yes Sam, this is what you and Workers+supporters are today 2017, having said that i will not be replying to your brainless comments anymore stupid.
This Rijoch is a sick man. He wants to threaten with a counterclaim? Typical American bully. We will not stand for such rubbish. It’s so shameful to see people like Gabriel support that nonsense. We understand Thompson’s desperation but Gabriel should know where to draw the line, especially when absolutely no evidence has been presented. This lawsuit will give Rijock all the time to present his evidence so he should be happy rather than trying to stop the lawsuit through his threats.
Your argument defies all logic.
When Astaphan, Skerritt and ministers are throwing legal action around is that not bullying? Oh dear, maybe we are not accustomed to playing with big boys? Instead of chasing small fish around who you well know dont have the resources to finance a lawsuit – welcome to the real world.
How uncouth of Rijock to defend himself!!!! Tony is not confident enough to engage on any turf other than in the Caribbean where he believes he has it all sown up. He (and his client)may well be in for a big suprise.
If you calling that piece of trailer trash UWP pick up, put a suit on and pay him some money to come and talk nonsense about Dominica and the government a big boy you are obviously some little senseless boy
Which “we” are you referring to?I am not part of it,because i am firmly on Rijocks side..
God show, maybe the minister without portfolio will meet his in the suing arena.
I said and I will say it again Tony is trying to stir up more trouble .the priminster better stay from from that
The issues are laid bare. Let the battle begin in earnest! And fight to the finish!!
Haha boy look joke. R.I.C.O statute on them boys. While I doubt that would work the whole lawsuit ploy from Astaphans and the government is nonsense to begin with so all this just adds more humour to this hilarious show.
I always say I’m not un support of either party in Dominica. They both corrupt. My question to this guy , why don’t you investigate Trump? Corruption in your own back yard. Some Dominicans are so politically motivated they will run with your crap
Why didnt you say something similar to Monfared, Corrallo, those skiers who paid for a kids hospital that I cant find, that diplomat building an embassy in Florida, the African minister lady who stole Nigeria money, etc, etc, etc
In light of the above, what exactly motivates you politically?
@Real…..I support your statement 100%. Corruption is joke eh. He needs to investigate himself and those under his nose before he comes carrying out investigation on a country thousands of miles from where he lives. I wonder who paid that azzz.