PM yearns for special prosecutor with CG's grit

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

A DAY after snubbing the contractor general on a proposal to halt the sale of the Sandals Whitehouse hotel, Prime Minister Bruce Golding yesterday said he wants someone of the mettle of Greg Christie to become the nation's first special prosecutor.

"I would like to see somebody emerge in this job who approaches this job with the ferocity and the seriousness of the current contractor general," Golding said.

The prime minister was opening the debate on the Special Prosecutor Bill in the House of Representatives yesterday.

Based on the framework established in the proposed law, the special prosecutor would be appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Public Service Commission.

Golding yesterday said although he does not always agree with Christie, he admires the "seriousness with which he approaches his job".

The prime minister said: "He is a no-nonsense person. He annoys many people, gets on many people's nerves, but one thing you cannot say about Mr Greg Christie is that he is a man that is sleeping on the job."

The special prosecutor legislation is seeking to repeal the Corruption Prevention and Parliament (Integrity of Members) acts and to establish as a commission of Parliament, the special prosecutor who would receive statutory declarations from parliamentarians and public officials of their assets and liabilities.

The special prosecutor would also have the power to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.

If the bill is approved by Parliament, parliamentarians, police and other public officials found guilty of unlawful enrichment could face long prison sentences and hefty fines.

The bill proposes that a public official found guilty of such crimes may be fined up to $5 million, or sentenced to a maximum five years if the hearing is held in a Resident Magistrate's (RM) court. If the conviction takes place at the level of the Circuit Court, the person may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding 10 years.

Persons who directly or indirectly engage in corrupt offences could be fined up to $1 million and/or two years' imprisonment in an RM court. Similarly, public officials who offer or promise an advantage to foreign companies or officials may be fined up to $2 million, or sentenced to two years' imprisonment in an RM court.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com