What the documents say

Documents filed with the United States Department of Justice paint a picture of a relationship between the Jamaican firm Harold Brady & Company, acting on behalf of the Government, and the US entity Manatt, Phelps and Phillips.

The Gleaner has conducted a microscopic review of documents and presents excerpts.

Contents of the registration form

The registration requirement is in keeping with the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended under United States Law.

The registration statement has the following information:

Name of Registrant

Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP

Registration number

5864

Name of Foreign Principal

Government of Jamaica, through Harold C.W. Brady of Brady and Company.

The agreement between the registrant and the above-named foreign principal is a formal written contract. If this box is checked, attach a copy of the contract to this exhibit.

(An 'X' was placed in the box and as requested a letter setting out the formal contract was attached).

"Describe fully the activities the registrant engages in or proposes to engage in on behalf of the above foreign principal."

The typed response says: "The services to be provided will include contacts and meetings with the Executive branch regarding existing political and economic matters, including existing treaty agreements between Jamaica and the US."

"Will the activities on behalf of the above foreign principal include political activities as defined in Section 1(o) of the Act and in the footnote below."

The response to this question was "yes".

The registration form was stamped November 12, 2009 at 11:46 a.m.

A footnote on the registration document states:

"Political activity as defined in Section 1(o) of the Act means any activity which the person engaging in believes will, or that the person intends to, in any way influence any agency or official of the Government of the United States or any section of the public within the United States with reference to formulating, adopting, or changing the domestic or foreign policies of the United States or with reference to the political or public interests, policies, or relations of a government of a foreign country or a foreign political party."

In the letter written by Manatt, Phelps and Phillips dated October 1, 2009, setting out the contractual arrangement, the closing paragraph reads:

"The undersigned, Harold Brady, consultant to Government of Jamaica, hereby confirms that he is authorised on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to approve of the engagement of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, as set forth in this letter."

The letter was signed twice by Brady on behalf of Brady and Co.