GOVERNMENT yesterday reiterated its position that it had no dealings with United States law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, and that the additional US$15,000 paid to the firm was strictly a transaction between lawyers representing the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and those of Manatt, which was hired by the party to lobby the US Government on extradition matters.
Minister of Information Daryl Vaz again sought to distance his administration from Manatt, whose hiring was sanctioned by JLP leader and prime minister Bruce Golding after the US requested the extradition of former West Kingston strongman Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke last August.
“Neither the Government nor the Jamaica Labour Party either paid or solicited any funds further than the US$50,000 which was acknowledged was paid by the party,” Vaz said at the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
He was responding to questions about the US$15,000-payment to Manatt stated in a supplemental filing to the US Justice Department, dated June 30.
The information minister indicated that the payment was for an early termination of the contract between Manatt and the party.
“Based on the preliminary information that I have, I surmise that the US$15,000 was paid from attorney to attorney in relation to commercial obligations, based on the termination of the contract which was directed by the party based on the history, which we all know,” Vaz said.
While stating that the Government was committed to fighting corruption, Vaz also dismissed the call by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) for a commission of enquiry into the matter.
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