(Trinidad Express) Jack Warner, Minister of Works and Infrastructure, is still being investigated by police in connection with his bringing in over US$40,000 into T&T without declaring it.
Confirmation came yesterday from Sharon Lee Assang, director of public affairs of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) at their daily press briefing held at Police Administration Building, Sackville Street, Port of Spain.
Lee Assang was asked about the status of the investigations after Warner admitted yesterday it was his voice in a video released Wednesday by UK newspaper The Telegraph. In the video Warner urges members of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) to accept US$40,000 gifts from FIFA presidential candidate Mohammed bin Hamman. Lee Assang said it was still ongoing.
“The police have been looking into this matter before, it’s not like only yesterday. I mean we have been conducting enquiries quietly behind the scenes. Just because we haven’t said things publically doesn’t mean it hasn’t been going on,” Lee Assang said.
She added: “What I need to tell you is that because of the sensitivity of this matter we continue to look at it. Enquiries have been going on, seriously they have been and continue.”
Warner is accused of breaching the Foreign Exchange Act and the Customs Act—which prohibit the importation of any currency except with the permission of the Central Bank. It is an offence to fail to declare or file a false declaration in respect of bringing into the country any goods or money over TT$5,000 respectively.
Asked if Warner has ever been questioned in relation to the non-declaration of the money Lee Assang said: “As far as I know, up today, no. There has been no contact with Mr Warner.”
Lee Assang said the investigator in the matter will indicate when the time is right to call Mr Warner in for questioning, adding she will be able to name the investigator today as she did not have that information yesterday.
With respect to concerns raised by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley that the denial by the Commissioner of Police for the People’s National Movement (PNM) to have their annual post-budget meeting at Piggott Corner, Belmont, was politically driven, Lee Assang said “no”.