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Suit filed against MP Duane Smith to recover over $20m loan

Published:Wednesday | June 4, 2025 | 2:42 PM

A businessman has filed a lawsuit against Member of Parliament (MP) for St Andrew North West Duane Smith seeking to recover a personal loan “in excess of $20 million” he reportedly made to the lawmaker.

Christopher Dunkley, the attorney for businessman Sean Azan, said the lawsuit is a replacement for a previous claim that was discontinued in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

The first lawsuit was discontinued because Smith, the first term Jamaica Labour Party MP, asserted that he was never served with any court documents.

“We decided not to have an argument in court about that. We just focus on what Mr Azan has come to court for, which is recover monies loaned to Mr Smith,” Dunkley told journalists outside the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

“He has never disputed the sums owed,” the attorney added.

Dunkley said the loan was made “some time ago” and charged that Smith failed to fulfil numerous promises to repay.

Smith left the court without speaking to journalists. His attorneys also declined to comment on the lawsuit.

- Livern Barrett

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