Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman has denied that he sexually assaulted a child and has issued a call for a “thorough and professional investigation into this scurrilous allegation.”
The alleged victim, now an adult, has vowed to ensure he receives justice and has reported alleged incidents of rape to the Guyana Police Force. An investigation has been launched.
Ten years after the alleged molestation began Johnny Anthony Welshman Jr is now seeking justice for what he described as years of traumatic sexual encounters with Trotman which began from the age eight to when he was 12 years old.
The Speaker in a brief statement yesterday, hours after the young man named him as one of three men who violated him as a child, described the claim as “A malicious and unfounded allegation…” and also said that the allegations are a timely distraction from the upcoming debate on the no-confidence motion that has been filed against the ruling PPP/C government.
Trotman’s Alliance For Change (AFC) has also come out in support of him calling the allegations politically motivated and describing them as the continuation and “intensification of the heinous campaign of desperation in attempting to besmirch and tarnish the party and its leaders.”
Hours before Trotman and the AFC issued the press release Welshman approached this newspaper with his story and admitted that he had requested a sum of money from the politician in relation to the matter, which he claims he would have used to found an organization to help victims of similar experiences. While saying that he is fearful for his life the young man said he has since received counselling for the molestation and that he wants the police to do their work since there is no statute of limitations on carnal knowledge.
The seemingly distraught young man who cried during the interview with this newspaper stated that he had approached three other media entities whose personnel had advised him to settle the matter with Trotman.
The young man, who said he is “sick and dying,” also indicated that he had retained the services of attorney-at-law Jaya Manickchand who refused to comment on the issue when initially contacted.
However, she later said that Welshman had approached her office on Friday while she was out and she later contacted him via telephone and he made certain allegations. The young man, whom she described as “very distraught,” was advised by her that he should approach the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) since she was not the person from whom to seek legal advice. She acknowledged that she had spoken to the young man on more than one occasion between Friday and Saturday but made it clear that she has not been retained by him. She also disclosed that she met Welshman some years ago while she was at Legal Aid working with abused children and he had made some allegations, but not against Trotman.
She had spoken to him during that time and believes because of this he approached her with the recent allegations. Asked whether she approached Trotman about the allegations as claimed by Welshman, Manickchand said she “had no further comment.”
‘Unstable’
In his statement yesterday Trotman said the allegations against him are being made by an “unstable young man who sadly, appears to have a troubled mind,” while adding that he “categorically den[ies] his wicked assertions.”
He said that the young man seems to have been conveniently encouraged by “manipulative and
diabolic political forces.”
“Conveniently, such scandalous assertions are obviously intended to provide a timely distraction from the serious prevailing political situation in Guyana, which imminently requires me as Speaker of the National Assembly to guide the ship of the nation’s parliament through the strongest test to Guyana’s constitutional democracy: the debate of a no confidence motion,” the Speaker said.
Trotman vowed to not allow the office of Speaker of the National Assembly to be compromised or be denigrated by false accusations for the sake of political expediency.
“There is absolutely no truth in the allegation, and I am confident that the masterminds and supporters of this dastardly plot will soon be exposed,” he reiterated.
Meanwhile, the AFC in its statement said that the Guyanese public is well aware of the campaign of attacks and vilifications of its leaders which has been waged openly perpetrated by “known political elements and provocateurs acting on behalf of those to whom they are beholden.”
It said that it views the allegations against Trotman an attempt to create mischief by manufacturing a falsified public impression of the party and its official(s).
“The AFC condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the reprehensible exploitation of this, such a heinous crime against minors, for political purposes,” the party said.
It called on the known supporters and members of the PPP/C to “desist from colluding with persons who have been obviously induced to fabricate these claims” and also stated that the allegations represent a move to disrupt the tabling of the no confidence motion.
The party also mentioned its allegations about three of its members being approached with inducements to vote against the motion, a move it said which has exposed the “wicked intentions and caused disgrace and embarrassment to those who have initiated it.”
The party said that it has noted that the Government Chief Whip and Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira has written to Trotman urging him to sanction AFC Leader Mr Khemraj Ramjattan.
“The AFC views this action as an integral element of the political manoeuvrings to attack the credibility and stature of the National Assembly of which the minority PPP government has lost control,” the party said.
‘Pushed around’
Meantime, Welshman, who has been living in Trinidad for the past six years feels he is being pushed around, particularly because of Trotman’s high office. He said he has received death threats intended to prevent him from speaking out. He also strongly believes that there will be efforts to “sweep the matter under the rug.”
Stabroek News was able to confirm that the matter was being dealt with by CID Headquarters, Eve Leary. Welshman was recently assured that the matter is being pursued and that Trotman is not above the law. He said he received a call from a police officer who informed him that he should go to Eve Leary as investigations continue.
Welshman, who said he is part owner of a legal drafting business in Trinidad, told this newspaper that he has the support of his family and close friends, but given the roadblocks he has encountered he is frustrated and has dwindling confidence that he will get justice.
The young man who also revealed he is sick and “dying,” admitted that initially his intention was to get a monetary settlement – so as to start an organization for boys with his experience – and a written apology. However, this had fallen through as the offer of $1.75 M alleged to have been made by the politician is inadequate, while an apology was not forthcoming.
He recounted that the close male relative exposed his private parts to him when he was a child, but never touched him. A second man, who he says owns a small business up the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, had penetrative sex with him as did Trotman, whom he also alleged had oral sex with him. He said that one of the episodes occurred at Trotman’s office which was located on South Road at the time. According to him the alleged abuse occurred just over half a dozen times.
He told Stabroek News that at the age of 16 years, he went to Trinidad to live with his mother. He said initially his mother was in denial but she has now accepted that the abuse did happen and has pledged her support for whatever decision he makes in this matter. Welshman said that he doesn’t speak to his father who is presently in Brazil.
“I am dying. I am on a lot of medication and I decided to confront them. I want an apology…” he said, while explaining that it was a recent medical diagnosis that propelled him to face his abusers and to seek justice.
He told Stabroek News that on his return here on July 23 he went to Trotman’s office and indicated to him that he needed a job, a place to stay and money. He said that he was given a little over $200, 000 and a letter of recommendation which he later took to a popular hotel in the city to seek employment. Though a commitment was made to make contact with him, he never heard back from the hotel again.
Because his presence was apparently beginning to annoy Trotman, he said that he made contact with a state attorney and subsequently with Manickchand.
“It is a hush hush thing. Everybody is telling me how I should settle. No one is speaking about an apology,” he said, adding that because of threats to his life he had to dye his hair and change up his appearance and move into a “safe house.”
“I rather have no settlement and see these three people go to jail,” he said. He added that given what has now happened he will be exploring filing legal proceedings both criminal and civil.
The young man related that he had also moved to the court earlier this month for a protection order against one of his abusers and it was the magistrate who advised him to report his ordeal to the police. He said this was done and he was medically examined. According to him the examination revealed that he had been sexually assaulted but it could not be ascertained when the abuse occurred. The police are in possession of that medical report, Welshman said.
Asked why he has now decided to come forward Welshman said that “it has been on me for years. I have received counselling. I have been on anti-depressants and I am dying.” He showed this newspaper some of his medication and later some of the scars on his body after failed suicide attempts. He said that the sexual abuse that he suffered forced him into the lifestyle where he is attracted to men.
He hopes that now that he has gone public that this issue will be dealt with the seriousness that it deserves.
