JAMAICA-CRIME-Former junior energy minister released on bail


KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Former junior energy minister, Kern Spencer, 33, was released on J$10 million (US$140,183) bail Friday, three days after he was arrested along with two other persons on fraud charges relating to the controversial Cuban light bulb project.

 

Spencer's former personal assistant Colleen Wright, 27 was also released on J$5 million (US$70,091) while businessman Rodney Chin, 45, was released J$10 million bail on Thursday.

 

They were charged in connection with the programme to distribute free florescent light bulbs donated by the Cuban government to Jamaica. All three are scheduled to re-appear in court on March 26.    

 

Supporters of the main opposition People's National Party (PNP), chanting party songs and slogans greeted Spencer upon his release from the Corporate Area Criminal Court.

 

Former PNP chairman Robert Pickersgill said Spencer had been “through an experience that he has never gone through before and in a spirit of camaraderie, I am here representing the People's National Party”.

 

Spencer has been charged with seven offences including three counts of conspiracy to defraud between July 2006 and September 2007.

  

He is also facing a charge under the Corruption Prevention Act in relation to the receipt of J$3.1 million (US$43,661) from Chin on July 30 2007. He is also facing several charges under the Money Laundering Act.

 

Spencer is facing three counts under the Money Laundering offences, including one of concealing and disguising criminal property valued at US$37,836.65 on September 14, 2007 and transferring of criminal property from Jamaica valued at US$64, 576.50 on July 30 last year.

 

Chin is facing two counts of conspiracy to defraud, between July 2006 and September 2007. He is also facing money laundering and charges under the Corruption Prevention Act.

 

Ms. Wright is facing seven charges, including two counts of conspiracy to defraud as well as charges under the Corruption Prevention and Money Laundering Acts.

 

The charges against all the accused were laid followed days of questioning by the Organised Crime Investigation Division.

 

Meanwhile, the PNP has not yet decided on Spencer's future after two days of talks. Party officials said the matter would now be referred to the executive on Monday.

 

"The meeting was one of officers and the decision is to report the deliberations to the next meeting of the executive of the party on Monday night,” Pickersgill said.

 

Spencer cannot be fired from his post as Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth but there has been much speculation that he could also be asked to resign.

 

Political observers say the party could be seriously affected if it does not break ties with Spencer.

 

The ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) said it is already preparing for a possible by-election.

  

"We can't be pre emptive in assuming things, but what I can say is that as far as the Jamaica Labour Party is concerned, it stands ready to take any action that is appropriate in the interest of the party,” said the party’s general secretary Karl Samuda.

 

CMC/kb/pr/08