Office of the President says that its one-time project manager for the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) initiative Judson Lohmeyer has issued threats of blackmail.
In a press release issued yesterday, OP said, “Mr Judson Lohmeyer, an ex-consultant/project manager for the One Laptop per Family has written threatening the Office of the President with blackmail over the release of information about the project.” Lohmeyer, the release said, was hired by OP as the consultant to lead the pilot and design for the launch of the OLPF initiative.” Lohmeyer, OP said, has US Peace Corps credentials and ICT experience. According to the release, “Lohmeyer submitted his resignation after being criticized for poor performance and disclosures from an investigation into his credentials.” The release said Lohmeyer “is now threatening to release ‘information’ unless he is provided with severance payments. “The foolish attempt by this individual is unlikely to impair the administration’s commitment to the OLPF.”
Lohmeyer has been replaced by the current project manager Sesh Sukhdeo.
Since his resignation, Lohmeyer has left Guyana and has currently taken up a post in Manila, Philippines, this newspaper understands.
The OLPF initiative was officially launched in January at the International Conference Centre. Under this programme, the government plans to distribute 90,000 to poor families over the next three years.
