Targeted - PNP caretakers claim they are being flooded with tax audits

Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter

ENTREPRENEUR AND People's National Party (PNP) caretaker for St Thomas West, Leonard Green, says he and some of his colleague businessmen who have entered representational politics on a PNP ticket are being subject to a plethora of tax audits.

Speaking yesterday during a Gleaner Editors' forum Green, who will be attempting to wrest the St Thomas West seat from the Jamaica Labour Party's (JLP) incumbent James Robertson, argued that the flood of tax audits on PNP businessmen appeared unusual.

"There is a new slew of PNP representatives coming from the business sector and I don't know that one of us has not been the victim of numerous tax audits," he said.

"I have gone through seven tax audits already since July 2010 and I am telling you it is not easy... . And I have to say these things because I know as we speak right now these are some of the methods to make sure that I don't even reach nomination day," Green contended.

However, he said as persons involved in the political process (they) have a duty to be compliant with the law.

"I think if we put ourselves forward we should be examples," he added.

Dr Winston Green, who is to run on the PNP's ticket in St Mary South East, also disclosed that he has come under pressure from the tax authorities. He made it clear however that his returns have been filed.

The PNP's John Paul White, who will be doing battle with the JLP's Delroy Chuck for the St Andrew North East seat in the House, said he too has been facing increased pressure as a businessman since declaring his intent to run for the party.

Under a lot of pressure

"We have come under a lot of pressure," the political neophyte claimed, adding that he had until now kept silent on the issue.

Another PNP caretaker for St Elizabeth South East, Richard Parchment admitted that he had been in discussions with the tax authorities to settle his obligations long before he had revealed that he would represent the party.

PNP first time aspirants were also asked to address the issue of tainted money to fund political campaigns.

The St Mary West caretaker for the PNP Joylan Silvera, who will go up against JLP heavyweight Robert Montague, said he has been approached by someone of questionable character who offered to fund his campaign.

"A particular person has come to me and said (he is) willing to help me and when you look on the history of the person I deliberately said 'No', because I just don't want to be tied down ... . I just want to be clean from commitment because they have asked for things in return," he said.

St James West Central caretaker for the PNP Sharon Ffolkes Abrahams, who will try to muscle the seat from the JLP's Clive Mullings, said she would not entertain offers from tainted sources to fund her campaign.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com