"Tainted Money" - Politics

The headline in the Sunday Observer, March 21, 2010 Rich Jamaican Businessman under US Probe must be sending off alarm bells throughout the newly monied interests in Jamaica. Bangarang once again!

Recall the "tainted money" saga in the JLP's internal elections which saw the young turks gaining office. That eventually paved the way for Bruce Golding's return and the ousting of Seaga from the helm.

Then the general election 2007 which saw a very expensive campaign being waged by the Golding - led JLP for some two years. Money flowed from both foreign and domestic sources.

There was little or no concern expressed as to the nature or source of such funds.  The main focus was amount and flow.  UFO's including Cash Plus and Olint were involved. 

The end result was that the Golding-led JLP barely eked out a win (less than a 3000 vote margin) despite the massive injection of cash into its campaign.

Now there is the Brady factor and questions being raised as to the source of the funding to lobby US officials.  The FBI is reported as having an interest.

As if that was not enough, it has been revealed that the US has interests in those who have amassed enormous wealth under the JLP Government.  

• Could the same set of players have been involved to a greater or lesser extent in all these financially tainted activities?
• Has Jamaica become one of the world's leading money laundering facilities?
• Is this the classic case of dirty money and political power?

We are now having our dirty (and tattered) underwear hung out for the international public to view and smell.

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The Brady Factor

The Dudus Extradition Affair (DEA) has been complicated by what can be conveniently called the Brady factor.  Spin is unravelling; embarrassment is spilling all over the government; credibility is a casualty; the situation not only looks bad, but it stinks.

The Golding government needs to come clean. It is walking a vanishing line.  A number of questions remain unanswered:

•    Was Brady provided with written authority to enter into such an arrangement?

•    Did any government/ministry/department receive and respond to any request from the said US law firm regarding the authority of Brady to enter such arrangements on behalf of the GOJ?

•    Who were the individuals that accompanied the SG to meetings with officials of the US government?

•    Did Brady at any time meet with US officials regarding the DEA?

•    How many meetings did the US law firm attend in their capacity as representing the interests of GOJ?

•    Was the AG and Minister of Justice made aware of the occurrence and outcomes of such meetings?

•    Did the AG and Minister of Justice inform the PM and/or the cabinet of the occurrence and outcomes of any such meetings?

•    Did Brady inform the PM about the progress report of the US law firm"s representation on behalf of the GOJ?

•    Did the PM at any time instruct Brady on the direction/strategy to be employed in dealings with the US officials?

•    How much money was paid to the US law firm under the said arrangements and how were such funds sourced?

The Government's inept handling of this episode is turning out to be the newest quiz show: The Brady  Fact - or -???

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