Lindquist Report Buried in Mystery The Bob Lindquist report, which was virtually kept under wraps for months, is now shrouded in even more mystery as investigators charged with looking into the IHI debt settlement claim they have not seen the document.

This after Caribarena.com was told on Sunday evening by Police Commissioner Thomas Bennett that he read the report, and to the best of his knowledge it was in the hands of a four-member team of special police investigators assigned to the commission of inquiry.

But Inspector Everton Jeffers, who was named by Bennett as a member of that team, told Caribarena.com on Monday that he has never seen the report.

"We are living in Antigua and to be honest with you, you cannot run with everything you hear..." Jeffers said. "As far as I know as it pertains to the report, we have not seen the report. The team was put together and given certain instructions."

When asked if the team is investigating matters relating to the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company (IHI Japan) Debt Repayment Scheme, Jeffers said "not at the moment".

Leading up to the 2009 general elections, Chairman of the United Progressive Party Leon "Chaku" Symister had publicly stated that the "Rob Linquist file has been turned over to the police and we [they] are confident that the police will carry out its duties."

But Jeffers maintains that he has not seen the report, and knows nothing of the file's whereabouts.

"I saw that in the paper sometime last week, but then to whom?" Jeffers said, speaking to recent statements in the media that the report had been handed over to the police. "I cannot confirm or deny to the extent, but I can only say as it pertains to us [the team] we don't know anything about it, we don't know anything about it."

Financial forensic investigator Rob Lindquist was charged by the United Progressive Party government in late 2004, months after winning its first election, to investigate the alleged embezzlement of public funds by the previous administration.

In January 2009, the government announced that it had the completed report, and that it uncovered gross financial irregularities.

Members of the UPP government said the document surprisingly accuses a long list of persons, including leader of the Antigua Labour Party Lester Bird and ALP-MP Asot Michael, of siphoning millions of dollars of public funds through the arrangement between the previous administration and IHI, Bruce Rappaport's company.

But last year, the government announced that it had received some US$12 million from Rappaport, who according to reports was ill and wanted to be done with the matter.

See related stories:

Top Cop Received Lindquist Report

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Ann:
written by KnightRider, March 10, 2010

When Antiguan politicians aren't begging, thieving and embezzling, they spend their spare time lying.

That's just the way in Antigua. You can't trust a one of them!

ARE WE IN DENMARK?
written by GINGERLY, March 09, 2010

It is not only in Denmark something is wrong, but something seems kind ah fishy here in this nation and especially with this report story and State Insurance Company. When will we see transparency and accountability.

Uncommon Sense
written by tenman, March 09, 2010

It seems your wish is starting to come true. I notice in parliament these days that its the finance minister who seems to be in charge. On the issue of divestment it was the finance minister on ABS last night talking about it. It is my opinion that the party elections just before the 2004 elections that the UPP missed the boat by not choosing Lovell. The choice made was one that has kept things the same. In general I suspect Mr. Spencer is a good man b**t he is a bad leader. His former deputy has more than proved that he not equipped for the job.

Re:XXX
written by lamanex, March 09, 2010

You are right that is why Allen Stanford left Monserrat for Antigua with his corrupt scheme because Monserrat is still under British supervision. Independent Antigua was a pawn with no superior oversight and whose leaders could be bought out and have no one to hold them accountable for their actions.

Expect Better?
written by Uncommon Sense, March 09, 2010

Should anyone expect anything better from Baldwin Spencer and his advisors? Their commitment to incompetence to supporters is undisturbed. Time for Harold Lovell to take over the leadership, and time for Joanne to show that she is a superior leader to all those foolish so called leaders in the party.

...
written by XXX, March 09, 2010

lamanex, there was a body who were "upholding the constitution matters not who is in power and should be inflicting justice equally"

They were called the "British" and they were kicked out almost 30 years ago. What we see now is the inevitable result.

re: how much $$$
written by fnpsr, March 09, 2010

Ace, I am sure the commissioner was paid handsomely He is a fast learner!! He has to play to get along!!!!!
That needs to change!!!! There should be an outcry for his immediate firing!.

RE: DAX REBEL
written by Pianissimo, March 09, 2010

Best comment I have seen on CA for a long time. I am with you on this one.

who much $$$
written by ace, March 09, 2010

Can anyone tell me how much of our hard earned money we paid a commissioner to give us a report that was supposedly handed to the police who have not seen it yet or is it that the file is empty and they playing poker with us and bluffing their way to the next general election....hahaha.... they fooling people again...

good
written by fnpsr, March 09, 2010

Proud Antiguan, you have to confront every issue head on. By confronting every issue, the powers that be will think twice before acting recklessly. Some one has to be an honest broker!

re: justice?
written by fnpsr, March 09, 2010

Lamanex, I agree with you 100 percent. I have previously said that the justice department/AG should be an independent office and void of politics. The report should have gone to the justice department and if wrong doing was found, then the Justice department should prosecuted Giving it to the police department, is like having the fox guard the hen house..

Re fnpsr
written by Proud Antiguan, March 09, 2010

I admit that I agree with your point of view. It's sadden me to think that way but I guess we should confront the problem and not ignore it.

re: who's the lier
written by fnpsr, March 09, 2010

Proud Antigua, it is quite possible that Jeffers is lying, but I doubt it very seriously. If he is lying he should be be called to task by Bennett. Additionally, if he is lying, then you have a bigger problem. This would suggest the entire police force is corrupt. If a fish is stink at the head, it is usually stink all over. Think about!

Justice?
written by lamanex, March 09, 2010

The justice system should be seperate from the polititions. They should be a body upholding the constitution matters not who is in power and should be inflicting justice equally. What are they expecting from the community when they themselves do not act with integrity?. If ALP or UPP are wrong they should be brought to justice just like the ordinary man on the street that is the only way to have a country with honesty and integrity from top to b****m.

who's the lier
written by Proud Antiguan, March 09, 2010

Why you're so quick to a*sume the commissioner is lying?
You need to consider the option that maybe Inspector Everton Jeffers is not telling the truth!!!

investigae Bennett
written by fnpsr, March 09, 2010

Antigua will never get better until the officials perform their duties do so without regard to politics.

I am amazed that the top cop, Commissioner Bennett, would be engaged in such a cover up. His job is to enforce the law. According to Bennett, in a nonchalant, way he stated that he received the report some time ago. He read the report and his investigators are following up on parts of it.

Now we find out to day that one of the persons he named on the four-man team to investigate the report, has not seen the report. It leaves me to believe that the report is not favorable and as such Bennett does not want to release the report. If this is the case, Bennett may be guilty of obstruction of justice and should be relieved of duty and be investigated himself, and if found to be as I have indicated, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This type of behavior by the Top Cop cannot be tolerated!!!

Very Convenient Timing
written by Dax Rebel, March 09, 2010

Now that the UPP is aware of the High Court ruling in the elections cases, the Linquist Report has been taken off the shelves and given another spring cleaning. This will again be the major campaign theme in the 2010 by-elections to appease the withering faithful in the party.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on your mind-set) the die is cast as the UPP has shown its true colour since the disputed 2009 elections. Most of Antigua’s youth are not as easily fooled as their parents were, and they are the ones who will see to the demise of this incompetent and myopic bunch.

Sincerely hoping that the by-elections are called before State Insurance is given away for an under-the-table deal which will swell the pockets of those political p*********s and parasites who should be working for the people of this country.

Linquist Report
written by James, March 09, 2010

The next government should prosecute those who spend all this money on investigations and to no avail. This is utter BS, its time we get people in office with clean hands and good motives. If we don't soon we are doomed.

The Issue of Justice is Dead
written by johnny, March 09, 2010

It is clear to all reasonable people that there is a cover-up. The UPP cant's go forward because some of their people will be implicated. As the saying goes: sleep with dogs, end up getting fleas. The UPP is just as corrupt and lacks credibility to prosecute members of the ALP-people get real, its over.

laughable
written by Antiguan, March 09, 2010

Why you think they got the rid of all local police at the head and even Gary Nelson? Because you see what local police does when you try to get them to lie for your cause? They talk the truth to the media.....Bennett is just working for his money he doesn't really care what happens to Antigua and it's problems..... the team got the report man...easing a little pressure off the AG.

Too many lies
written by Joan, March 09, 2010

This is so disappointing, I would expect better from the commissioner

added info
written by tenman, March 09, 2010

Just read an article in the Observer written March 9th 2010. There will be a UPP meeting later this month. One of the issues to be discussed and be debated is : "Other issues, such as the matter of justice, will be debated, with a resolution to turn over the Robert Lindquist Report to the police and the director of public prosecution"

crupo
written by Ann, March 09, 2010

Oh my,
Is the commissioner following the politicians? lying lying lying

what a joke
written by tenman, March 09, 2010

This is the continued problem i have with this government, their ability to look at a fact and tell you without smile its fiction. Their ability to pa*s laws without teeth, set up bodies that only exist on paper. I tell you its the lies I cannot take. You see in the days of Bird they found it unnecessary to use this level of deceit, they simply did it because they had the power to and were unabashed in reminding you of their power.