“We have questions on the reasoning of the IPO” – Senior Counsel on decision to investigate PM

Astaphan

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s main legal advisor, Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, has responded to a decision by the Integrity in Public Office Commission (IPO) to investigate whether as Cabinet Chairman, Prime Minister Skerrit used his official influence to secure concessions for a reported business venture in Blaircourt Property Development Ltd.

Allegations are that the Prime Minister has an ownership interest in the property.

Astaphan explained in a statement that a number of queries questions, issues and answers have been identified which needs to be addressed.

“There appears to be some inconsistency in the ruling and in the findings, particularly in relation to conclusion one, which says the IPO had no jurisdiction to make determinations of criminal activity and it seems by inference had no reasons to believe that there was evidence to support the allegation that the Prime Minister owned or was in occupation of the villas,” Astaphan argued.

He continued, “There was a second complaint which was thrown out and the third complain is whether the Prime Minister used his official influence to secure concessions for a business venture raises critical questions as to how it is possible for there to be such an investigation or such a kind without there first being a previous finding as to whether or not the Prime Minister had in fact an interest in the company.”

Astaphan said the PM’s lawyers will have to reconcile that with provisions of the Act and the Code of Conduct, “but it appears at a glance that the findings and the conclusion seems irreconcilable with the provisions with the IPO Act”.

Astaphan pointed out, “We are not going to criticize neither the IPO nor the constitution of the IPO but having reviewed, we have serious questions on the information relied on which was submitted to them by the complainant. We have questions about the reasoning of the IPO.”

He is also concerned about the whole history of the application for concessions by Blaircourt.

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49 Comments

  1. mega
    July 23, 2011

    when will these dominicans get sense in their heads…them man making education look like rubbish…big men having a child run de place down the gutters…

    dont think sense is a word around dominica trust me on that note!! think i saw sense in dominica in the 90s that was the last times..and dominica has buried sense in the boiling lake…..lol

  2. hellboy
    July 22, 2011

    Tony….I myself have heard you mr. Charles Savarin, even Mr. Skerrit and others in and around the labor party critize the IPO to the highest degree. I dont think any of you have any respect for that institution. I have heard you lambaste the IPO on many occassions so you are right u dont want to critisize them because u have always done so. I even heard calls by yourself MR. ASTAPHAN ABOUT ABANDONING THE ENTIRE COMMISSION AND SCRAPPING IT BEACSUE IT NOT DOING THE WORK IT WAS PAID TO DO. I DONT EXPECT U TO BE IN LINE WITH ANY ACTION IT MAY TAKE THAT MAY APPEAR TO GO AGAINST U OR SKERRIT. As it is right now….this case is going down the rabbit hole together with G.O.N. Emmanuel’s case. I DONT THINK THERE IS ANYONE IN THE LABOR PARTY WHO WILL APPRECIATE THE IPO INVESTIGATING OR QUESTIONING ANY MEMBER OF THE LABOR PATY GANG. THEY ALONE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT SHOULD BE RIGHT TODAY AND WRONG TOMORROW!!!

    • claudius Anthony
      July 22, 2011

      Information and reverlations ,no matter how incriminating, illegally obtained by HACKING into peoples personal accounts are not acceptable as edvidence in a court of law and may even subject the individual presenting the hacked emails into evidence to criminal prosecution.These guys are not lawyers or have any legal training. The only they posess is the art of destroyng peoples reprutation.

      • hellboy
        July 27, 2011

        TONY DOESNT CARE ABOUT ANYBODY’S REPUTATION…NOT EVEN THE PM

  3. Piper
    July 22, 2011

    From now on, we should refer to this guy as Tony “Stonewall” Astaphan. Whenever something comes up, all he does is create all kinds of diversions and confusion. Is he interested in accountablilty, transparency and fairplay in government?

    Why don’t we hear of all these shinigans in the office of the British PM, Canadian PM or the American Pres.?

    When are we going to see clean governance where those in power do it for the people and not themselves?

    • Sout Man
      July 22, 2011

      “Why don’t we hear of shenanigans of British PM….?” Really? Where have you been? Andy Coulson, Press Secretary of British PM, David Cameron, resigned last week because of the phone hacking scandal rocking the Rupert Murdoch empire in the UK. How closely involved the PM is, is yet to be determined. His ties to the influential billionaire, Murdoch, is undeniable. Several journalists have already been arrested for hacking the telephones and voice mail of other politicians, celebrities, the Royal Family and even crime victims. Do not be surprised if the British PM resigns.

      • Sout Man
        July 22, 2011

        I’m Sorry, but i forgot to emphasize the obvious.

        WARNING: OBTAINING EVIDENCE BY HACKING INTO PEOPLE’S E-MAIL AND VOICE MAIL IS ILLEGAL AND IS A SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE LAW!!!

      • Cerberus
        July 23, 2011

        Of course South Man, these things do happen everywhere. However, as you so correctly point out, the big difference is that in so called developed countries like the U.K. people are held to account , regardless of their status and resign of their own accord as happened with the two senior members of the Metropolitan police in London this week and M.P.’s who fiddled their expenses were sent to jail. Any signs of this happening here?

    • Anonymous
      July 22, 2011

      good point

      • Papa Dom
        July 22, 2011

        and what law would that be? please tell us because it seems that tony is not aware of that law.

  4. Josette
    July 22, 2011

    The IPO has finally suceeded in becoming an arm of the opposition. What a thing.

    • Lavie Dominique
      July 22, 2011

      What! That Josette are you serious? What are you using to think with? Pray tell, how did you come to that ridiculous conclusion? Give us three reasons.

    • hellboy
      July 22, 2011

      That is NONSENSE….the IPO represents the people of this nation state that we live in. You would probably like it to represent RED LABOR PARTY and for it to carry Edison James, Lennox Linton and those u fear down the gutter. Boy ….oh how u wish to see the day when Jerry Brisbane or Lennox Linton or Angelo or even Ras Blessings could get torn aprt limb from by that same IPO. You are so misguided….the IPO is to investigate PUBLIC OFFICERS. If the IPO was hijacked by the opposition MYSELF AND THOUNSAND OTHER DOMINICANS WOULD BE ON THE STREETS OF ROSEAU TO SEE TO IT THAT JUSTICE PREVAILS OVER POLITICS AND PARTY FAVORITISM.

    • Lady
      July 22, 2011

      Josette ou toe couyon (sot)

  5. TONY
    July 22, 2011

    DOMINICANS U ALL BRAVE. ALL U NOT FRAID THE MAN CALL ALL U CACADORE ,AND CRAZY MOSQUITOS?

  6. Changesneeded
    July 21, 2011

    Tony must learn to shut up sometime… The Prime Minister has no issues with the decision and he is coming to contradict the PM… The PM is confident that he has no stake in the Villas…So allow the process to go through and shut the F**k up…

  7. Debbie
    July 21, 2011

    O yeah!!! We go see.

  8. yop here it is
    July 21, 2011

    anew round of blah blah blah(while spider song playing in the background)going down slowly, poor D A boy boy boy what i would all them sockers on both sides, hmmm.

  9. true dominican
    July 21, 2011

    tony tell eddison james and Ron green they will not get our vote again. because they prevent hector from performing they not giving him a brake to stand on his position. that two man party just take over and when they ready giving hector a piece off paper and send him on the air to read , we fed up with that tell them keep there party for them self, as u can see is the two off them you can see and hear that’s sheet.

    • ok
      July 22, 2011

      What does that have to do with the article?

  10. ?
    July 21, 2011

    Nervous wreck! You fraid they find something Tony?

  11. Michael
    July 21, 2011

    The Overlord of Dominica speaks!

  12. BRAIN DAMAGE
    July 21, 2011

    Tony, we have questions on the reasoning of why the PM wants the IPO to investigate him.

    • ?
      July 22, 2011

      Because the PM already did everything needed to cover his tracks.

  13. July 21, 2011

    TONY ASTAPHANS WILL FAIL AND HE WILL FALL

  14. SPY
    July 21, 2011

    GOD ALMIGHTY,CREATER OF THE UNIVERSE,Oh! father let thy words to cause the arrogance of the wicked to cease come too pass.

    oh god deliver us from the hands of the terrible man.The sword of god will not pass from your house in jesus name. let all that take pleasure in deciet fall,slay them not father lest we forget. sealed in the blood of jesus.JUSTICE O FATHER

  15. I Love Cricket
    July 21, 2011

    It is only a matter of time before Tony and the PM lets these idiots have it.

    Time and time again they try but the result is the same.

    • Free Thinker
      July 22, 2011

      I join you in this prayer. Tony is one of those who has Dominica tied in this complicated knot of darkness. I leave Anthony ‘Tony’ Astaphan to the God of Justice!!

  16. July 21, 2011

    PLEASE PEOPLE SEE THIS STATEMENT FOR WHAT IT IS ….. A FAKE… A CONSPIRACY TO MISLEAD…ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IS GOING TO COME OUT OF THAT IPO SMOKESCREEN !
    LENNOX’S ANALYSIS OF THIS SUDDEN RESPONSE FROM THE IPO IS SO RIGHT ! !
    TONY… YOUR DAY WILL COME !

  17. 1979
    July 21, 2011

    Already looking for the loophole huh SC. I Applaud ur skill as a lawyer, but at the detriment of your person. U are amazingly good at what u do brother, infact I would say you are the best. I hope u can sleep at night,,,,,,,,, off course u can. You are tony.

    • 1979
      July 21, 2011

      Money can buy u friends of all sorts throughout your life. I know because I come from money, but as life dictates for many, once a man twice a child. And money has a way of preserving you to meet that faithful day when u will again need somebody to care for you. Careful, cuz life has a way of repaying your sins before u go. I wish u long life SC

  18. ROSEAU MAN.
    July 21, 2011

    My grand mother always told me if it talk like a duck,walk like a duck, lie like a duck its a dam duck. Just remember the longest rope has an end. They can fool some people some times but they cant fool all of the people all the time. We have to be careful the way people react to people in position of power use their power cause when the masses get fed up it can get very ugly to all concern hide to that advise.

    • willy
      July 21, 2011

      true that 10000%.

  19. just Asking
    July 21, 2011

    Tony if the prime minister does not have a problem with unvestigation why should you ? I appluad the prime minister for his reaction to the investigation. let the process roll without questioning.

  20. DONT CUT ME OFF YOU
    July 21, 2011

    AS I WAS SAYING: Man go hide your face… Who voted for you? Dominicans are not fools as you once thought they were..The country is still endowed with many patriots who believe in truth, in politics and in everything else.

  21. Porssie Radical
    July 21, 2011

    Just my take – The chances of Lennox winning his case is slim and the IPO investigation is destined to fail because of several reasons; Several of the evidence may be inadmissible due to the validity in the acquisition of the emails and telephone conversations. The IPO on the other hand is also facing the same constraints however an added dimension to the dilemma is that those involved in the cover-ups had/has been working tirelessly on concealing evidence and installing barriers by wielding power in areas where their wishes are the people’s command-i.e registry, department of records, certain banks etc. The reality of the situation is that the IPO is and will be short handed- Does the IPO have the resources to insure that the grant can answer questions under oath; can the IPO go as far as to investigate Suprya? The only balaw in the net is Bubbles and we all know that his stories are soooooo inconsistent and contradictory. The question is can the IPO make a decision based solely on bubbles lies. One other thing is that the IPO maybe able to prove that the person who sold the land at he Villa location really did not sell the land to bubbles or Earl Grant.

  22. Anonymous
    July 21, 2011

    Technicality is one of most precarious conlusions within the global legal system :-P

  23. GWEN BAMBOO
    July 21, 2011

    Well boy dey fraid, dey fraid!! Tony who beat you? If your client is so innocent what are you afraid of? So long this issue is out there you mean that was not enough time to cover your tracks? I cannot believe you will be caught with your pants down!!

  24. Wenner
    July 21, 2011

    Just remember, Tony is the best Lawyer in the Caribbean….he is representing all Caribbean Govts and PM…The guy just knows his stuff…no one can deny that…when last did Tony lost a case??? When last did the Complainant, Lennox won a case????

    Tony, I will listen to whatever you have to say.

  25. Lavie Dominique
    July 21, 2011

    Oh not again DNO my eyes hurt! Why? Why? Why? do that to us? Whae have we Dominicans done to deserve such unpleasantness? Go way please!

  26. Lougaoo Mem
    July 21, 2011

    Who runs this country? Is it the Public Enemy#1? When will he stop interfering with the proceedings of investigations that are of pertinent interest to Dominicans? These are just burning questions that are on every patriots mind. Thanx!

  27. Cerberus
    July 21, 2011

    Tony, please leave well alone for once and let the Comiission do its work. If mr. Skerrit is innocent, as he has already indicated, he has nothing to fear.Your interference does not really help him.

  28. Wait A Minute
    July 21, 2011

    Hey Tony just build your defense and don’t jump at every media attempt to ‘entrap’ you into interviews, just to have the usual antigovernment army come on sites such as DNO to vilfy you and call you all sorts of names (If I lie, just look at the barage of comments by the “sour grapes crew” to come).

    Anyway, just do your thing bro and give them the blow where it hurts most: IN THE COURT!!

    We the electorate will CONTINUE to put blows upon blows on them AT THE POLLS!!!

    • vip
      July 21, 2011

      not we the electorates nah it should be we the illiterates.but i not sinking on that ship with you and tony and skerrit.

    • Reader
      July 21, 2011

      Are you a clear parasite of the hand outs? I f not why do you jump in defense and offense simultanously?

  29. WORD
    July 21, 2011

    TONY PUT A DAMN SOCK IN IT MAN!!! ENOUGH OF YOUR BULL$&%$.

    • Concern One
      July 21, 2011

      We all want a fair and balance investigation. The PM has a right to legal counsel. We can’t be the prosecutors, judges, jurors and defense counsel. Do your job Tony. The legal system is rich and alive in DA and the constitutional rights of all Dominicans should be respected. Remove all political bias and let the fight begin.

    • Patat
      July 21, 2011

      Cannot understand logic!!!! Alas ignorance is bliss. Go pick up a math book on reasoning and logic and then learn to set up some truth tables about any particular statements that come to mind.

      If you cannot do that then you had problems with maths as a subject – especially word problems; your comments shows that you have a problem in English and you cannot resolve it in shorthand notation called mathematics!!

      God help us if people like you get in power.

  30. vip
    July 21, 2011

    TONY BOY YOU ARE THE BEST.’NO RETREAT NO SURRENDER.’

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