The son of PPP/C prime ministerial candidate Elisabeth Harper, Regan Pollard, who is locked in litigation with Puruni LLC Company, which he allegedly owes US$198,389 among other sums, has been ordered to respond to the claim, on May 13.
The order was given yesterday, in chambers, by Justice Rishi Persaud, who is presiding over the matter, in the Commercial Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature, in Georgetown.
Pollard had previously filed a summons against Puruni LLC asking for “further” and “better” particulars of its claim against him, in order for him to prepare his defence.
An attorney from the Boston and Boston Law Firm, which represents the plaintiff, however noted at yesterday’s hearing, that those particulars had been contained in its claim and thus requested that the defendant put in his “affidavit in defence.”
Justice Persaud then ordered the defence to have that affidavit ready for the May 13 adjourned date, when the matter continues at 9.30 am.
In its civil action filed against Pollard on December 9, 2014; the plaintiff is claiming the sum of some US$198,380 which it says, is money due and payable to it, by the defendant.
In its statement of claim, the plaintiff company said that on April 17, 2012 it entered into a joint venture agreement with the defendant and Reflex Mining Company Inc, situated at 195 Kaieteur Road, Bel Air Park, Georgetown, for the purposes of operating a dredge or dredges on the defendant’s claims and mining blocks.
According to the document, the plaintiff had agreed to fund the joint venture by providing a loan of up to US$3,000,000. The document stated that, “acting pursuant to the said agreement, the plaintiff has provided loans to the joint venture in excess of US$2,800,000 over a period of time.”
The plaintiff in its statement of claim, said that the defendant has failed to comply with his obligations under the agreement, despite repeated requests even though on each occasion, Pollard agreed to comply with his obligations under the agreement.
The claim stated that, due to the defendant’s inability to comply with his obligations under the agreement, the plaintiff and the defendant agreed to settle all outstanding issues touching and concerning the joint venture agreement whereby the defendant would repay the plaintiff, the sum of US$3,530,000 among other terms; US$230,000 was due by October, 2014.
The plaintiff noted in its claims, that pursuant to that repayment agreement, the defendant has since repaid the sum of US$31,614 leaving an outstanding balance of US$198,386.
The plaintiff asserted that repeated requests and demands had been made to Pollard, for him to repay the sum, but he has “failed, neglected and refused to pay.”
In addition to claiming the outstanding balance owed, the plaintiff is also claiming interest on the said sum at a rate of 6% per annum, pursuant to the Law Reform Miscellaneous Act Cap. 6:01.
It is seeking also, any other relief the court deems necessary as well as costs
The plaintiff company is stated on the file, as a company incorporated under the laws of Delaware, United States of America, with registered office, situated at 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 19th floor, New York, New York 10036.
Meanwhile, the defendant is listed in the name of Regan Pollard of 195-196 Kaieteur Road, Bel Air Park; Georgetown, Guyana.
The authorisation to proceed against Pollard was issued by Jamie Hartman, Managing Member of Puruni LLC of 1212 Avenue of the Americas, 19th floor, New York, New York.
Last Thursday evening, information pertaining to the case was widely circulated in the media. Harper, the man’s mother, later said that she had been the subject of attempts at extortion pertaining to her son’s court case.
According to her, those attempts began on her appointment as the prime ministerial candidate and in a statement from PPP headquarters she stated: “Since I have been appointed as the PPP/C prime ministerial candidate there have been attempts by a known individual, tantamount to blackmail or political extortion regarding a legal dispute between my 36-year-old son and his former business partners.
“My son is engaged in his own business enterprise. I am aware that he and his former business partners have been in court in Guyana since November 2014 to settle a dispute that has arisen.
“I love my son dearly and am fully supportive of him. I also respect his business independence.
“In view of the fact that the matter is being addressed by the court it is therefore sub judice.
“The several attempts of extortion and blackmail directed at me regarding this case are disturbing.
“I strongly reject any attempt to use my political appointment to resolve this matter extra judicially or to influence the legal direction of the court case.”
