Money Laundering?

Attorney Harold Brady has placed on the table the real possibility of money laundering activities being involved in the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips (MPP)/Dudus Extradition affair.

It has now been revealed that MPP insisted that any arrangement had to be on the basis of a government initiative and a paid retainer. Hence Brady had to assume the position/authority as a Consultant to the Government of Jamaica (GOJ). Of equal importance the retainer and subsequent payments would have had to be consistent with the contract being with the Government of Jamaica.

Thus the payments could not appear to be made by either a private individual or the Jamaica Labour Party. This is so because neither had any contract with MPP. The only entity that had a contractual relationship with MPP was the GOJ (albeit throughout Harold C. Brady - its Consultant.) To be acceptable to and accepted by MPP, the payments had to appear as emanating from the GOJ.

Brady alleges that PM Golding, after being informed of MPP conditions agreed to such and delegated Minister Vaz to handle all the "financial implications".

It is critical to read carefully Brady's allegations on this score, noting the sections that have been capitalized for emphasis.

"Consequently, our client is unaware of the mechanics of the payment of the MPP retainer WHICH WAS NOT HANDLED either BY HIS LAW OFFICE or by him personally"

Certain questions are unavoidable:

• What were the so-called "financial implications" involved?
• If neither Brady nor his office handled the "mechanics of the payment of the MPP retainer", did Daryl Vaz handle such?
• What were the so-called  "mechanics of the payment"?
• Were the payments to MPP laundered through any GOJ agency?
• Were the payments made by cheque or wire transfer?
• A news release stated that Brady & Co. had paid the sum of US$15,000.00 in order to bring closure to the arrangement with MPP.  Was such in furtherance of PM Golding's instructions "to ensure, as best as possible, that the Government did not appear to be involved"?

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Political Shrapnel

The political explosion occasioned by Brady's letter bomb - published in the Gleaner, Tuesday October 7, 2010 - has sent shrapnel with extreme prejudice in the direction of Prime Minister Golding and Minister Daryl Vaz. Brady has made some damming allegations - the truth of which must be ascertained.

There is enough defamation to go around with all contenders being offered generous proportions. However, it is political credibility that takes center stage.

Hence, we highlight the political shrapnel:

• Brady took instructions only from Prime Minister Golding. Thus for all intents and purposes, Bruce Golding was Brady's client.  
• The instructions centered on attempting to resolve the political issues raised by the extradition request for Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
• The employment of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips (MPP) was only possible if this was a Government of Jamaica (GOJ) initiative and under a paid retainer.
• Brady reported such in full to Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
• The Prime Minister agreed to the terms of engagement stipulated by MPP with the added condition that attempts be made to "ensure, as best as possible, that the Government did not appear to be involved."[emphasis added]
• Minister Daryl Vaz was delegated to handle all the "financial implications." (What the hell does that mean?)
• Both PM Golding and Minister Daryl Vaz were made aware of MPP pre-conditions and were central to the hatching of the conspiracy to deceive.

 The situation remains the same GOJ in 3D.

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Brady's Letter Bomb

Noted Attorney-at-Law Harold C. Brady has finally disclosed intimate details about the MPP/Dudus Extradition affair. The allegations are directed at Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Minister of Information Daryl Vaz who according to Brady must either be daft or needs his head examined.

Read the details of Brady's Complaint

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Lilac Alert

Some readers will be familiar with the euphemisms used by the GOJ in recent times. They range from aliens to the truth, at variance with the facts, inconsistency, incompatible, irreconcilable to half truths and mis-communication. They are just lies - no matter the spin.

Jamaicans have been subjected to a number of lies in recent times. We are tired of the GOJ lies.
Ja Cynic maintains in Daft Conspiracy that:

"The GOJ's responses have been confusing, convoluted and unconvincing.  They have conceded and confessed only when confronted with the facts."

However, we continue to be watchful.  Hence we have issued the Lilac Alert.

Minister of Justice in a signed affidavit indicated that she had informed the PM that she having considered all the factors had decided to sign the authority to proceed.

The actual situation is complicated by the fact that:

• The AG and Minister of Justice is one and the same.  
• The AG is the principal legal advisor to the cabinet.
• The Minister of Justice in such matters only acts on behalf of the government.
• As the PM had indicated to Parliament, that if the Minister dares to exercise her discretion independently and at variance with the position of the Cabinet, then the Minister must tender her resignation.
• From the very outset the PM has given the Parliament and the public the impression that he was the central player in this extradition affair.
• In a parallel initiative by persons within the JLP, the party leader sanctioned the scheme. (The party leader of the JLP is one and the same as the PM of Jamaica and Bruce Golding).
• There is a challenge before the court intended to review the circumstances under which the Minister of Justice exercised her discretion. Was she instructed by the PM to sign the relevant papers?
• The PM may have provided the answer in his national broadcast to wit;

"I wrestled with the potential conflict between the issues of non-compliance with the terms of the treaty and the unavoidable perception that because Coke is associated with my constituency, the government's position was politically contrived. I felt that the concepts of fairness and justice should not be sacrificed in order to avoid that perception. In the final analysis, however, that must be weighed against the public mistrust that this matter has evoked and the destabilizing effect it is having on the nation's business. Accordingly, the Minister of Justice, in consideration of all the factors, will sign the authorization for the extradition process to commence."
Source: Jamaica Infomation Service

• The PM has stated repeatedly that the GOJ has never refused the extradition request. Hence the GOJ merely delayed its approval until more information/clarification was provided.

It is clear that the US authorities made "something more" known to the PM.  Whether the PM has shared that lubrication with other members of the cabinet is entirely a different matter. What is evident is that he has not shared that critical information with the public.  We have always maintained that the driving force is the self interest of the JLP - the us and not Dudus.

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SAY WHAT!

• Bruce Golding has always given the impression that he is deliberate and considered in his utterances. He prides himself as a student of the law.
• Golding is know for his lofty expressions that as Leader of the Opposition found resonance amongst those desperate for the replacement for Sister P.
• Thus his performance on the BBC's Hard Talk is a classic -- and not for his announced criterion for inclusion in the cabinet.
• Well listen to the words of Prime Minister Bruce Golding again.  There are very interesting gospels on Tivoli, garrisons, corruption and governance. It is Bruce at his best.

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GOJ in 3D

Lying takes place on a number of levels and dimensions. Politicians are expected to be adept at the art and skill in so-called spin. Government spin serves no purpose unless it has a modicum of credibility. Sadly this JLP administration are either daft or in need of head examinations or both.

The GOJ is in 3D -
deep do do ;
dunce, duncer and duncest;
deceptive, despicable  and dirty.

Did you ever think that "persons within the JLP" could have hatched such a plot without the knowledge, participation and approval of the party hierarchy? Such would of necessity involve at the minimum the party leader, General Secretary and the Treasurer and/or the Deputy Treasurer.

Is then any wonder that the published Samuda's findings failed to mention the role played by the Party Leader in "sanctioning" the hiring of the US law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips  (MP&P)? But even more damning is the fact that MP&P would not have been able to engage US officials of the State Department and the Justice Department in talks concerning the extradition treaty between US and Jamaica unless MP&P was officially representing the GOJ.

Was Golding so informed and did he sanction the ruse?

So Brady signed as "Consultant to the Government of Jamaica" was not in any way an error.  The clause in the contract was very specific to avoid any misrepresentation of the authority under which Brady was operating.  The Consultant designation was an essential element of the conspiracy within the JLP to effect lobbying efforts in Washington.

There are more questions being raised by Golding's belated confession.

• When exactly did Golding sanction the initiative?
• Did Golding receive progress reports and issue directives on the initiatives?
• Who were the other co-conspirators within the JLP?
• How were funds amassed - voluntary contributions and/or gentle extortion?
• Were the financial contributors themselves beneficiaries of government contracts/state largesse ?
• Since Christopher "Dudus" Coke would have been the main beneficiary of such main lobbying efforts, what measures were instituted to monitor his participation - financially or otherwise?
• Did the party leader inform the AG, Minister of Justice and the Minister of Foreign Affairs about this parallel political initiative?

The GOJ continues in 3D - denial, desperation and damnation.

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Close Encounters: 00-50 H B

Well you all thought that the political scenarios in the Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) and the Brady Factor (BF) were out of some B class Hollywood script.

Here is the pre-release:

Now the latest scene is entitled Brief Social Encounters . It has nothing to do with Sex in the City but mainly with 007 0050 HB in Washington. 

Can you imagine a chance encounter with 0050 HB and Ronald in Washington? Invitations are issued, some are declined but some are accepted. Sounds familiar?  So we all just get along - socially over drinks.  Such a game is employed by those involved in courtship - not of the judicial kind.

But the scene has been played out before, starting at the Norman Manley airport in Kingston, Jamaica.  There was a chance meeting between 0050 HB and Dougie both on their way to Washington on parallel mission. Agent 0050 HB invites Dougie to get familiar with some Washington lobbyists - the same ones that would having drinks with Ronald. But having made social acquaintances, Dougie initially refuses a gratuitous offer but is later convinced that his newly made acquaintance should accompany him to his close encounter with US State officials. Unlike Ronald, Dougie did not have any drinks.

There have been unconfirmed reports of other close encounters, those involving persons within the JLP and Agent 0050 HB. Reports are that such persons decided to undertake and finance an operation aimed at assisting the GOJ in resolving a treaty dispute it had with the USA.

Back at  HQ Branch, OBG is Commander-in-the-Dark with GS Sam-the-Sanctioner; and Thor is conveniently unaware. 

Who is Special Agent 0050 HB? A man with vast experience in International Law and Politics to assist in this regard. He is not daft, but deft in his management of such affairs and his invitations are not likely to be declined. He has successfully engaged not-too brief social encounters in the past. Some have received wide press coverage.

0050 HB is fully aware that he will have to sing and dance in this one. Such caberet performances cost a bag of money. 

Need an MC for your wedding? Special Agent  0050 HB is available.

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Lies, Damn Lies and Dunce Lies

A full statement has been released by Samuda on his findings re the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips Engagement by Brady and Co.

The nine point statement raises a number of questions.

Point one: Who are those "persons within the JLP" who approached Mr. Brady? If there was a treaty dispute between the US and Jamaica why is the JLP interfering in such?

Point two: What is Brady's vast experience in international law and politics ? Is there no one else in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in possession of such skills? Why not appoint Harold Brady Consultant to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

Point three: Why is Mr. Brady's firm retaining the services of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to have discussions with relevant officials of the US government, in which the GOJ has no interest?

Point four: If the meeting between the Solicitor General and officials of the State and Justice Departments was arranged by the Min of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy of Jamaica, on what basis would the Solicitor General seek to include an "observer" a couple hours before its commencement.

Point five: Who are the members of the team that accompanied the Solicitor General to that meeting? On what basis was the Solicitor General discussing with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips alternative approaches that have to be taken in similar treaty disputes with the US? Solicitor General Leys indicated that the meeting was arranged by Brady and was mainly introductory. This does not square with Samuda's findings.

Point six:  How did the Solicitor General obtain "the full approval of the State Department" to have a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips attend the meeting as an "observer".

Point seven: If Samuda's findings are true then the Solicitor General is duty bound to tender his resignation by his acceptance of the suggestion by a firm: with which he had had no previous contact, did not inform him that they had already been retained by Brady & Co. and without more he invited them to "observe" discussions between the GOJ and officials of the government of the United States.

Point eight:  What is a brief social encounter? How does one arrange such with a representative of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips? In what capacity was Harold Brady acting when he issued an invitation to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to attend a meeting at the State Department? Who attended that meeting? Is it mere coincidence that Dr. Ronald Robinson and Harold Brady were in Washington at the same time, similar to the chance meeting of Brady and Leys?

Point nine: Have "persons within the JLP" entered into any contractual arrangement with Manatt, Phelps and Phillips? Have "persons within the JLP" facilitated the payments of submitted invoices?

So persons within the JLP decided to assist the JLP government.  This apparently was done without the knowledge of members of the JLP who are also members of the cabinet.  What exactly was the interest of the JLP in this matter? Furthermore Manatt, Phelps and Phillips would have provided written reports of its meetings and positions reached with officials of the US state and justice departments. These would have been provided to Brady and Co. for the benefit of "persons within the JLP". Did those reports reach cabinet members within the JLP? 

So Bruce Golding was not informed of such dealings in his capacity of Prime Minister of Jamaica. Was he so informed in his capacity as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party? Why has it taken so long for members of the hierarchy of the JLP to admit that this initiative was conceived and hatched within the JLP?

And the cow jumped over the moon.

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