(Jamaica Observer) Four Members of Parliament (MPs) — two each from the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) and the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) — were yesterday ordered to pay a fine of J$10,000 each, or serve 30 days in prison, for breaches of the Parliamentary Integrity of Members Act.
Outgoing government JLP MP Tarn Peralto of South East St Mary, North West Clarendon MP Michael Stern, along with the PNP’s Noel Arscott of South West Clarendon and Colin Fagan of South East St Catherine were sentenced by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey after they pleaded guilty to the charge.
The MPs were summoned before the court after they failed to provide information on their assets as requested by the Integrity Commission.
PNP MP for Western St Andrew Anthony Hylton also appeared before the court, but pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his matter was set for trial on January 17. Hylton had initially pleaded guilty and was given a similar fine but later changed his plea.
Hylton’s attorney told the court that his client had provided the information on time but it was done in a format that was not accepted by the commission. As a result, his client met with the commission and had arranged to settle the matter.
Meanwhile, two other PNP MPs, Derrick Kellier of South St James and East Central St Catherine MP Natalie Neita-Headley were also summoned to appear in court on the said charge but were absent.
Kellier’s attorney told the court that his client was unable to attend due to personal difficulties, however, there were no word from the lawyers concerning Neita-Headley’s absence.
As result, a warrant of disobedience was issued for her arrest but it has been stayed for November 24 when the matter will again be mentioned.
