Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith could face scrutiny over his role in what was effectively a sexual harassment case at his ministry. Documents, audio recordings and witness accounts provided to Wired868 point to a clear pattern of inappropriate behaviour by the Diego Martin Central MP.
Smith, ably supported by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Office of the Prime Minister Stuart Young, has danced around the issue of a TT$150,000 settlement with former employee Carrie-Ann Moreau for the past week. Moreau was Smith’s personal assistant but left after just six months on the job.
However, despite Smith’s efforts to distance himself from the case, Wired868 has documentation that not only suggests his proximity to the affair but also appeared to confirm that the trade dispute involved sexual misconduct.
On Thursday 26 January, 2017, just one day before the relevant parties were due to meet in the Industrial Court, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs agreed a deal with Moreau, who was paid off with taxpayers’ money by Permanent Secretary Natasha Barrow.
Barrow was first to share the news with the Minister.
Barrow: “Matter with Carrie-Ann Moreau resolved. Settlement in the Amt of 150,000 agreed and cheque collected.”
Smith: “[Thanks emoticon]. confidential signed?”
Barrow: “Yes it’s [sic] was part of the settlement agreement that we both signed.”
Smith: “[Thumbs up emoticon]. and no mention of sexual harassment”
Barrow: “No.”
(Copyright Trinidad Guardian)
Last weekend, Smith feigned ignorance of the affair when Newsday asked him for a comment.
“While Ms Moreau was at one point in time my assistant, I was not a party to any trade dispute at the Industrial Court nor any settlement agreement,” said Smith. “This would be easily confirmed by any official documents you may have in your possession.
“I therefore am unable to provide any comment with respect to matters where I was clearly not a party.”
Smith, almost certainly, was referring to the fact that the case was brought against Moreau’s employers, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO).
Young and Al-Rawi kept the same line and length when Opposition MPs questioned them in Parliament today, as they repeatedly pointed out that the Ministry and CPO were the targets of Moreau’s claim.
At one point, Princes Town MP Barry Padarath asked what should have been a straightforward question: “Can the Honourable Attorney General indicate that the substantive Minister of Sport is in no way named in this matter?”
The Attorney General’s response was, not to put too fine a point on it, vague and long-winded and it contained curious logic.
“Having explained to my learned friend what a release and discharge is, it is imperative to perhaps go a bit further,” Al-Rawi replied. “ A release and discharge which is accepted in the circumstances in which it is accepted, under the supervision of the court. Where there is no admission of liability, where the matter is brought against the Chief Personnel Officer concerning a procedure of termination being the subject of the release and discharge and confidentiality.
“We can go no further than that. Any attempt to scandalise the matter by introducing terminology of the type by which my learned friend seeks to do now is nothing more than scandal.”
Padarath was ‘scandalising’ the issue by asking whether the Sport Minister was named in a trade dispute involving his personal assistant?
Wired868 asked Al-Rawi follow-up questions: “Can you tell me if Moreau’s claim contained any allegations of sexual harassment and/or inappropriate conduct by Sport Minister Darryl Smith towards her? And could you tell me on whose advice was it that Moreau was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement?”
Al-Rawi did not play a shot.
“Regrettably, I can’t assist further for the very reasons put on the Parliament floor today,” said the Attorney General.
“Could you at least tell me what is the reason that you are [also choosing] not to disclose information on this matter?” asked Wired868.
“Regrettably, I can’t,” said Al-Rawi, “for the same reasons detailed on the Parliament floor between Min Young and me over the several questions.”
Al-Rawi and Young both defended the Government’s decision to insert a non-disclosure agreement into its settlement with Moreau.
“Any lawyer who has practised in the area of litigation would know that when you are settling a matter,” Young told Parliament, “there are two documents that you always try to have executed: a release and discharge and a non-disclosure agreement.”
“There is,” said Al-Rawi, “absolutely nothing that is untoward [about a non-disclosure agreement] in those circumstances.”
However, Reginald Dumas, the former Head of the Public Service, scoffed at the suggestion that non-disclosure agreements were standard in government settlements.
(Copyright Trinidad Guardian)
“It is not normal at all,” Dumas told Wired868. “In fact, I have never heard of it. And I checked with a couple of retired senior public servants to find out if, in their experiences, they had ever heard of it. And they all said they had not.
“[…] I am not saying it is illegal I am just saying I have never heard of this before.”
Legal or not, though, Dumas insisted that it was unethical for the Government to withhold information as to how and why its money was being spent. And, worse, he said the possibility that citizens—already facing austere economic times—were footing the bill for the sexual misconduct of Government officials is morally reprehensible.
“If this person brought an action because of the behaviour of a high-ranking government member,” said Dumas, “why should the government have to pay for that? Why should the taxpayer of Trinidad and Tobago have to pay for that?
“I would be concerned if that became normal; in fact, I am concerned now. Once this starts it will continue.
“You are saying the country is out of money and you’re against sexual harassment and so on and you have senior people [allegedly] sexually harassing workers and taxpayers are paying to settle the matter? That cannot be right.”
Dumas, who successfully challenged the Police Service Commission (PSC) last year for clarification over two picks by former president Anthony Carmona, said he sees trouble ahead if Government continues to treat taxpayers in this way.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
“When you have a non-disclosure agreement to hide something that is wrong, all you do is intensify the problem,” said Dumas. “You do the wrong thing by having the taxpayer pay and then you say the taxpayer shouldn’t know—and at a time when you are talking about transparency?
“If that becomes standard practice, we are in trouble.”
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Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
How come these ministers doing what ever they won’t and get away with it like the working in the lagoon o what
This PS should be surcharged to the full extent of this payment PLUS the Tobago junket and be removed from her position.Incompetent and irresponsible!!
I hope the auditor generals report raises some questions.
What about role of head PS and MoF?
Those two are the ones to take action!
Razia Ali in many other ministries as well. Hope they get the memo soon.
Well u know how we are full of double standards and games
What the f going on in this place
Silly question
Was the minister sued or the ministry?
If the latter then the worker should explain why the ministry and not the minister was sued and in essence put the burden on the taxpayers to pay any settlement if reached
Had to be the ministry was sued. And it would be for wrongful termination not the sexual harrassment. She would have told HR but rather than support her they let her go. So our monies was what jump up
Tricia Roy . The matter was a wrongful dismissal and had nothing to do with sexual harassment. In any case in the industrial court, according to the Industrial Relations Act, a dispute is between an employer and a union. As such any settlement or judgement in favour of the union, payment for damages is awarded to the worker involved to be paid by the employer. There are several current and past judgements against government departments and government agencies where damages are to be paid with tax payers money. It’s not the first and certainly would not be the last. Someone has a hidden agenda so don’t let ourselves be chained up. If the matter is settled between parties and not by virtue of a hearing, then their is no evidence of sexual harassment. This case is clearly between employer and union and has no evidence that the Minister, who incidentally has no power of dismissal, dismissed the employee. Attempting to sully the reputation/name of either the Minister or the employee is unfortunate and incorrect in the absence of facts or evidence. So far all I’m reading is “fishing” and speculation.
Any FOIA search or the library of the Industrial Court will show how many instances of tax payers money has been utilized to pay damages from judgements in the Industrial Court.Hope this was useful.
If someone won their claim of sexual harassment then who the guilty offender?
But where’s d UNC in all this. Real fodder and Kamla like ah DUMMY.
I askn d same thing
What do you expect from her exactly? The pnm is doing a great job at screwing over the country and covering it up while their handout-loving die hards eat grass and defend failure.
It’s useless.
Taxpayers money and stay quiet .and nobody fired.
Jackasswari
Didn’t Jawala Rambaran seek and got judicial protection from being exposed in his divorce proceedings, while trying to hide the fact that his wife withdrew US $1 million dollars from his US bank account in a local bank?
The court ruled that the Sunshine Newspaper could no longer publish the story.
So what’s the big deal?
Totally different Sir. This is a private domestic affair. Are our taxpayers” money paid out here? Was the GOTT liable in this case. In any case what happened before cannot cloud the present events which must be exposed. How many more current similar secret issues exist? We don’t know but the floodgates are now wide open.
This is not different Sir. The issue for me is, where did Jawala get US $1 MILLION DOLLARS FROM? The court did not rule saying that it was defamatory. There’s no right to privacy where public money is involved. The B.I.R and the integrity commission should investigate his source of funds.
Are you for real?
Petersen Phillip… You could argue with dotishness.? Wish u luck… Lol
Ah wonder where Camille get she money from..? Lol
43,000 versus (source of funds declared to bank) USD100,000,000
Petersen Phillip,be specific, what money Camille got ? I called a figure and I gave details.
Where did he get us 1 million from oh my dats a question
Bryan Wiltshire, particularly when the country was experiencing FOREX problems while he was Central Bank Governor. Then seeking protection for the high court so that the Sunshine newspaper cannot run the story. But some of these assholes talking about “full disclosure “.
Petersen Phillip ..They always trying to cover up their wrong doings..
One has nothing to do with the other
Joseph Changiah ..we never heard about THAT..
Or even when Camille..got her money..
Some of you all comment solely on headlines, without reading between the lines.
Some people comment because they have something to say, others because they have to say something.
Some of you have absolutely no knowledge of what you are commenting on, but only see race and politics, not law. That’s why D’UNC loosing every matter that they take to court.
Dinesh Jonas, the question is, exactly how much US $ was in the bank account. Didn’t you read the story?
His wife did not withdraw all. She only took US $1 MILLION.
What whizz? Where’s he working now? What stocks, bonds, and bonuses did he receive from Central Bank?
Joseph Changiah, i suggest that you go and READ the Trinidad Guardian article Friday October 6 ,2017, titled; Elias wins 18 year old court battle against Imbert. SO THAT YOU CAN GATHER THE FACTS ON THE MATTER.
Keith G Smith I did not mention anything about Camille at all. My concern is about the present issue.
Is Jwala in power? Who is?? Idky some of u seem to forget UNC is not government..so is 2 things….anytime this GOVMENT eff up…we are supposed to ASK QUESTIONS and don’t blame this set of blank brains idiots….blame UNC….whos holding the purse ???
Monica Balkaran Seepersad …That is just a DISTRACTION….from Dillion Fraud..
Feelup gate…
OAS..shame..
Water taxi fiasco..
Collapse sea bridge….
Since September 15th 2015 I have been waiting with bated breath for the fruition of the PNM campaign promise that “is jail for them”. I don’t hear that rhetoric again from the supporters…I am looking on and I am flabbergasted. The popular tune from the Gov’t apologists are the same old allegations…oh gosh man!! Half way into the term and “NO ONE EVEN CHARGED, FAR LESS JAILED”. Let’s deal with the present please and stop obfuscating the current issue with the flagrant use of the rear view mirror. Wake up my people!!
Taxpayers money was used to pay the $150k
The order of the court MUST be respected
Vimlah Singh-Chariah,so what? It wasn’t Stolen.
Monica Balkaran Seepersad, the question is; WHO’S HOLDING WHAT’S LEFT OF THE PURSE. Some of you people feel that the population must move on and forget about what took place under the last administration, but the reality is that after two and one half years into this administration’s term, evidence of corruption that took place during the UNC/PP’S term, is still being unearthed. This government with all their good intentions, are being stymied or hamstrung in many different ways in dealing with the problem. It has not been just about governance, but about cleaning up and cleaning out, by removing all the UNC sleeper cells throughout the various Ministries, State Boards, and Institutions.
Petersen Phillip, I do apologize. This should have read Angela Darius.
Sir are you condoning sexual harassment an or misbehavior in public office???
No Boxu Potts, I’m not D’UNC
All I said is what a question and these ppl gone on the defensive … I hope all the ppl you all holding briefs for holding briefs for you too the day u all get accused
Both parties have people representing that have no integrity, respect and ethics.
Follow the US and have them step down!
Or do like Trump and fire them.
Our very own donald trump,I hope mr Rowley looks INTO whether taxpayers money is being used to fund dis jackass lifestyle,from llming in tobago now this, plus what else we don’t know about,Mr Rowley please don’t let these people bring down ur government with their schemes,please take control and clean out ur cabinet,d nation is watching and we r getting FED UP!!!
Man what the the heck are you pleading about…..you are talking to the chief cook and bottle washer in Rowley…..they discuss these things in cabinet.
After being with him she turn round and sue him what a shame .
How do you know she was with him? The story said sexual harassment..women are usually bullied into silence ..let’s not blame the victim..and she did not sue him..they paid her to keep quiet before it went to court ..and I want to know why our money being used for this ..this government really picked the cream of the crop to manage the country.
Ash Ram sour cream!
Pnm PROTECTS THEIR OWN
Not like the unc crab in barrel
Mark Lewis true….unfortunately….corruption abounds under pnm still…
Mark Lewis sums it up accurately. UNC when caught with their hands red always quick to turn on each other and fire the main perp in the public eye. Public outcry for UNC shortcomings are huge. Even from UNC supporters. PNM however get away with similar offences. A lot are covered up and not bought to the public eye. And general public dont get on as much. For example, imagine if UNC had the tobago ferry situation as it is now. All of tobago will be suffering or nearly dead. Camfa cudjo would be dying with dem to expose how UNC killing them.
Wait nah, taxpayers have to pay for Ministers to have sex.
Public hilla capri
remember Glen Ramadhar dey had a field day .whats happeninv now .why Dagwood and Blondie getting involved when taxpayers money is involved.birds of a feather ….. together
The govt did not pay off the employee he did
Tricia Roy wheres d proof post it or you are juzt like dose lying min.covering facts show us d proof
Tricia Roy, the Ministry of Sport confirmed that it paid the employee after a FOIA request. The AG confirmed this.
Lasana Liburd the ag is a liye
TRUE GLEN hands accidentally came into contact with stewards “Brest “by gesticulating with hands. their was no video tape no document no PS admitting. no check paid ” $150,000 no nondisclosure SIGNED yet he was FIRED today you have A big barrel full of SHMSHIT avoiding the questions & Keith eh act maby the PM is the stunt man in this Movie
Lasana Liburd ..why aren’t we hearing from the LATT on this issue? Is it legal to use public funds to pay off a private matter?
If not, let the officials bring in their grocery bills and house mortgage as well.
Wasn’t there a unc minister who lost his job based on a sexual allegation.if that party was in govt the present prime minister would be braying like a donkey in heat
So dam true, Jack, Anand, Anil, Glen, all of them gone. They were in her ass like leach. Cameel, Shamfar, Daarel, Dilleon etc. what’s going with them, Opposition needs to wake up.
She fire Glen offa shite.Doh blame d dr for protecting his own.everybody else doing it.
Integrity and statesmanship are not a quality all may have,when you condone such conduct ,it tells a lot about what you stand for,if the honorable prime minister doesn’t see a problem,then that should worry all sensible people,if he can’t find a solution ,then he may be part of the problem
This “Non-disclosure agreement signed opens up a pandora box into all type of allegations of this government. It is nothing short but bullying tactics with possible blackmail overtones. The fact that in order to receive a $150. thousand dollars settlement for a “sexual harassment charge, and must first sign that “agreement” exposes a ministry sick to the bone and encouraged by the Minister of Sports Darryl “Hugh Hefner” Smith. Actions like these can only be interpreted as attemps to hide or cover-up a possible “Playboy Mansion” enviroment headed by Hugh himself. With the blessings of Attorney AlRawi and Chief cook and bottle washer Stewart Young, one can easly deduce the anount of corruption tollerated “Behind close doors” GREAT IS THE PNM. GREAT IS THE PNM. AND CORRUPTION SHALL PREVAIL FOREVER!
Why Rowley doh fire he?
They could do anything they want and still be in office that how great they are
If TAXSPAYERS money is being use to settle any lawsuit the public has a right to know for what and how much was paid and why we don’t need name of victims if any but we need full disclosure trinidadians wake up
Barrel Smith should start taking care of sportsmen, especially athletes like Richard Thompson and that 4x400m relay team that brought honour to T&T. in London. No time for splurging $91,000 taxpayer dollars on a joyride to Tobago. Rowley should roll dat barrel away.
Smithy again…. smh….
???
It’s better to have an ND Agreement which gives / intensifies the perception that there was misconduct than to confirm it by having someone talk to the media. The attorneys have guided the Client well. But I wonder – the AG quoted section 76 of the constitution in the defense of pursuing the matter of Cambridge Analytica yesterday; what makes this alleged sexual misconduct matter the exception in seeking public interest? It must be nice to choose which Client to serve.
The AG’s client is supposed to be Trinidad and Tobago. Not misbehaving Cabinet members. And that’s just for starters as far as this matter goes…
Lasana Completely agreed, that’s the point. There should not even be a question.
If only Lasana was able to undertake a similar journalistic investigation on the last Ministry of Sports administration under UNC/PP Anil Roberts and his Permanent Secretary. If only…
Kenneth you’re joking right? ?
Lasana Liburd Nope
Kenneth H. Ransome Jr. I could live with you asking whether I did anything on previous Sport Ministers. But you’re suggesting I didn’t. Am I to be blamed for your faulty memory?
Nonetheless, allow me to help you out.
https://wired868.com/2014/05/26/sport-ministry-allegedly-handed-taxpayers-millions-to-murder-accused/
https://wired868.com/2014/07/23/oh-carapo-why-rajaee-ali-might-be-the-new-calder-hart/
https://wired868.com/2014/07/26/sport-minister-passes-the-buck-and-taxpayers-pay-for-it/
https://wired868.com/2014/07/27/adolphs-loot-life-sport-beneficiary-vows-to-hold-on-to-34-million/
https://wired868.com/2014/08/03/show-me-the-money-lifesport-gets-a-live-wire-audit/
Lasana Liburd My bad. I now recall. Sorry my brother!
https://wired868.com/2014/08/01/tears-of-a-clown-anils-resignation-letter-and-the-pms-response/
https://wired868.com/2015/01/01/govt-owes-akeem-adams-family-98k-all-star-memorial-match-on-sunday/
Sorry, I was focused on sexual harassment.
https://wired868.com/2014/06/03/what-the-prakash-cop-suspends-anil/
https://wired868.com/2014/05/22/it-wasnt-me-minister-two-pull-adds-copyright-infringement-to-alleged-wrongs/
https://wired868.com/2012/10/06/warners-controversial-letter-to-sport-minister-anil-roberts/
Kenneth I can keep going… Would you like anything on Brent Sancho too? Or Kamla Persad-Bissessar? Chandresh Sharma?
I find the insinuation that I suddenly started writing on misbehaviour to be absurd.
It is the opposite. Because I write less now, there are actually far LESS stories from me now than there were under the last administration.
I scrolled past this comment…????
Lasana Liburd I read all those articles over the years and they were well done, I must say! My initial comment was focused on ‘sexual harassment’ within that administration.
Kenneth I can give you some to read now if you like…
Lasana Liburd Sure… seems like I missed out on some juicy stuff.
https://wired868.com/2015/06/23/sex-lies-and-audiotape-warner-continues-charge-on-alleged-cougar-in-chief/
https://wired868.com/2014/03/20/glenn-in-dog-house-for-trying-to-vet-cal-stewardess/
https://wired868.com/2014/03/21/snakes-on-a-plane-jack-joins-glenn-on-controversial-cal-flight/
https://wired868.com/2014/03/26/fatigued-glenn-gets-a-rest-minister-of-the-people-joins-pms-sack-race/
https://wired868.com/2014/04/07/sexy-secondary-students-caught-rehearsing-for-political-life/
https://wired868.com/2014/06/07/bacchanal-leaked-e-mails-catch-live-wire-pandering-to-cnmg/
https://wired868.com/2014/03/30/sweetman-sharma-goes-ballistic-mps-are-atrocious/
Anything on Anil’s PS?
Kenneth those are included in story on lifesport.
There was this too: https://wired868.com/2015/11/03/retail-ruth-held-for-shoplifting-ex-lifesport-director-held-in-us/
Lasana Liburd Yeah… this was a big one. We lost a ton of money through this one.
A man made the mistake of challenging Lasana’s bona fides … Lasana responds by unloading his resume, yes! Take that and cool it, Kenneth
Lol. Thing is I don’t subscribe to the notion that I have to criticise one thing before I can criticise something else.
Like if I don’t talk about bombs in Syria, I can’t talk about bombs in France. I find those things to be distractions and weak.
But really I’m stunned at the suggestion that I didn’t criticise the PP. If anything UNC supporters could take me to task for writing far less about the administration than the last one. Tim Kee supporters can make the same case.
All I can say is I don’t write as much because I have had to do more managerial work over the last year and going forward.
Tim Kee Kee Kee supporters? As in all eight of them? Can’t even fill a small maxi!
Agree Lasana. Dont understand where the comparison thing came in. It irks me that people never stick to the topic..and yes, yuh really not writing as much eh..whey Mr Livewire gorn?
Damian R. Scott It was not a challenge. I have always followed Lasana’s work and it’s akways quality work. Yuh see… I know specifics relative to ‘sexual harassment’ and ‘abuse of authority’ perpetuated against women seeking guidance/assistance for their children in track & field that only a particular circle of folk are aware. But the work Lasana has done is quite sufficient. Those folks are gone. They have enriched themselves but at least they are gone. I just wish the incoming party government had pursued them (corruption) harder.
Lasana Liburd ftw……lol
Even worse than Daryl Smith’s transgressions is the AG Faris Al Rawi’s vehement defense/deflection of the issue.
Faris has proven time and time again his ill fit for the Ministerial position that he holds.
I fully agree. Their stance takes a serious topic and turns it into a silly game of wordplay–all to protect the indefensible.
I remember there were investigative journalists all over Rolph Balgobin, where are they now? Does this used of public funds and NDA not demand the same treatment?
What’s terribly disappointing is when women partake in the perpetuation of sexual harassment through the defamation of the victim and the suppression of facts, evidence to protect the abuser. Damn shame.
Yep
And when you agree to an out of court settlement too – two women who are aiding and abetting
Savitri Maharaj Yep… They are usually placed between a rock and a hard place. Chances are she will lose income so…
The PS, Kenneth H. Ransome Jr.?
Savitri Maharaj The victim ( the harassed employee)!
I’m usually with Faris… but this is shit.
As an aside… Is there a reason why “[Claire Munroe]’s” real name isn’t being used?
I was 50/50 on that. She did receive State funds. But then she is also an alleged victim of a sexual crime and could potentially become a target for harassment by sycophants.
Adding her name is another layer of information for story but then it doesn’t significantly add to this tale, I think.
I know there can be arguments either way but I didn’t feel the pros outweighed the cons.
What sexual crime? Yuh mean alleged sexual harassment? Not at all a crime. Also, didn’t she file suit in the Industrial Court or did she just threaten to file via a Pre-action Protocol letter? If she did file then that is a matter of public record and the grounds for concealing her identity here (ironic given the thrust of the article relates to a cover up) becomes even less justifiable.
The Industrial Court blocked our FOIA request. And you don’t know the scale of the allegations so you can’t say there wasn’t a sexual crime reported.
Yes, a suit was filed.
Nigel S. Scott That depends on the circumstances, Nigel! I agree sexual harassment is not a crime but she can sue after being sexually harassed. But, if sexual harassment involves unwanted touching, physical intimidation, threats of losing her job, punitive threats for not complying, or some extreme form of coercion, it can quickly turn into sexual assault… a serious crime. Those circumstances we don’t know.
I think any speculation of there being a sexual crime is not only specious, but irresponsible as well. If a sexual ‘crime’ was reported then I think you as a journalist would have an obligation to follow up on that… a sitting Minister engaging in criminal conduct then using taxpayers money to cover it up is far more serious an offense than sexually harassing an underling then paying hush money.
I would also think that the crime would have been reported to police and there would have been a paper trail. I don’t want to detract from Smith’s actions, but I don’t see the justification for concealing the identity of someone who takes affirmative steps to sue in public court. I’m hard pressed to believe that the alleged victim would go sue in court and simultaneously seek to conceal her identity. This is a woman who was paid hush money from public funds as you admit. If she accepts said hush money in agreement for not reporting a crime by a sitting Minister then she is complicit in the cover up and should not be abetted by Wired868.
Nigel your view is respected as always.
??
Glen squeeze a breast on a plane n waz fired…this “fat ass” doin worse n still in office…n ontop of that we money hadda ” jump up”……GREAT IS D PNM!!! Rowley!!! Uh mudda COUNT!!!
Agree
Agree. Its taxpayers money therefore the as taxpayers we must know how our money is spent though we may not agree.
Lasana, I understand the PS was moved to another Ministry after this, do you know which one?
After the Tobago fiasco, she was returned to Social Development.
(y)
Another example of why the ‘rule of law’ is an honour code more than an enforceable authority.
It’s almost as if Smith was given special dispensation by Parliament to roam, geographically using State money; and on the physical person of others, using State money.
Like Trump is Smith role model or what?!! Too many times he over stepped his crease and only a pat on the hand or head from the PM. If this was a UNC Minister we would never hear the end of resignation calls.! Where are the media houses?? Thanks Wired for doing the job and bringing a keeping it on the front burner. We need more accountability not legalese.
Good points. Its hard to understand how and why the Rowley Govt is defending and backing Smith. It also sends a poor sign about the consequences of sexual harassment. The Govt seems to be supporting the idea that a Minister does not need to be held accountable for misconduct or using tax payers money to a penalty for such misconduct. Its hard to support Rowley’s constant claims the pnm is more transparent and trustworthy then the UNC when his Govt do stuff like this or Sandals. Its poor leadership and you did a nice Job of calling out the double standards here
This is sabotage. I don’t know how it is. I have no proof of it but I’m gonna throw out that word so the apologists will have something to chew on. Grate is the one.
Let me commend Lasana Liburd for getting the facts through aggressive journalism….. which is what we need more of in Trinidad & Tobago….
Everyone in bed with someone so options and not facts have become the norm
No, no, no. You cannot spend my money and then tell me you cannot tell me why you spent it. Better than that.
ah tell yuh when they deal with raw-raw it hadda be severe inno
???
..Disgraceful. And a woman is involved in the cover up. State resources being used for this. Disgraceful..
2 women – the PS and the PA..smh
Big waste. ..He and the money
Not right
What the ×××× allyuh people expect from these shameless Jackasses and Jennyasses ?
Take a break. You all Don ‘t care who you mash up in your quest for scoops.How sad.
Scoops is one thing, if he’s guilty he would pay the price but how is it at another time in the same place young ladies sent by various Mps were interviewed for hours in the conference room and after the lengthy interview were put to sit at a desk to twiddle their thumbs. What’s good for the goose ought to be good for the gander. Whaaaat
Chloe you thought the moral thing for me to do was NOT to expose evidence of wrongdoing right?
Except if it was the Opposition party I suppose. Right? ???
Comments like these seal the fate of our nation.
Dianne Joseph Do you have proof? What system is that?
Lasana Liburd You can expose any body you want I do not divide. So often we get news that is not always accurate and then apologizes or vendettas. That baffles me. Then some women seem not to have self restraint. Weakness all around.
Chloe you sound like Donald Trump when he criticised bad people “on all sides” after White nationalists battered peaceful protesters. ??
Please point me to where I’ve been exposed for fake news. I’ve been a journalist for two decades, so with that volume of work you’d think it shouldn’t be hard to find evidence of that if it happened.
Not the Donald. Please give me some one else. I even older than the D LOL. You are doing your job. Just my over all observation.
Lots of these persons who are commenting seems to be wearing a political hat for either party.
Lasana Liburd ..you might be off on that one..Trump got in trouble for saying that there were good people on both sides of the protesting Virginia.
He then apologized for the statement and then doubled down on the original statement..
Protest in..
Damn, Darryl! Back at it again with the bedroom eyes and roaming hands!!!!
More story to come on March 30th.Wow… For the two holidays that coexist this year on that date I say two things:
1. Beat on Darryl like a Good Friday bobolee!
2. Stepping on the serpent’s head! Oh! Stepping on the serpent’s head! My Redeemer’s stepping on the serpent’s head!!!!
Same khaki pants.. you have patience to keep abreast with these politicians yes
Fyah bun dem all. And done
Taxpayer money paying on a private individual’s civil settlement
#@abuseofpower
#@abuse or position
#@abuseoftreasury
#ministerANDpermanentsecretary
#contractstocall
Lol Lasana..my big mouth ent!?
Well, what I’d say is I think it will become increasingly difficult for Darryl Smith to distance himself from this case. 😉
We will write more on his behaviour as Sport Minister within roughly 24 hours.
It will be difficult to hide the names involved as well..remember #MeToo? Smh
Lasana Liburd all I can say is… Damn, Darryl!!!
Shades of stormy daniels lol
And they had the gall to boast that they managed to negotiate down from $184K. I’m waiting for the apologists
Damn, Darryl!!!