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Chaguanas West MP, ILP leader and ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner has claimed innocence in the face of an indictment by the United States Department of Justice for racketeering.
Warner was named among 13 persons charged for “various criminal activities, including fraud, bribery and money laundering.”
Haitian football officials accused Warner of failing to relay millions in aid relief funds to the impoverished island.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
The Department of Justice also revealed that his sons, Daryan and Daryll Warner, already pleaded guilty to various counts of fraud.
However, in a press statement, the controversial politician declared his innocence of all charges.
“I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter,” said Warner. “I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges. I have walked away from the politics of world football to immerse myself in the improvement of lives in this country where I shall, God willing, die…
“I wish to advise the hundreds of thousands of persons who support the ILP that my commitment to them and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is undaunted and can never be broken.”
The following is the full press statement from Jack Warner:
My attention has been drawn to certain developments in world football which started several hours ago and is at the present time still ongoing.
It has been reported that a number of FIFA officials have been arrested in Switzerland and that at least one raid conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigators in Miami is being executed at what I presume to be CONCACAF offices.
My name is being reported by international media as being one of those persons sought in connection with the probe.
The people of Trinidad and Tobago will know that I quit FIFA and international football more than four years ago and that over the past several years I have recommitted my life to the work of improving the lot of every citizen of every creed and race in this nation. This is where I have let my bucket down.
I have fought fearlessly against all forms of injustice and corruption.
I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter. I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges. I have walked away from the politics of world football to immerse myself in the improvement of lives in this country where I shall, God willing, die.
Warner served as Works Minister and National Security Minister for the People’s Partnership Government before his resignation in 2013.
(Courtesy FIFA.com)
The actions of FIFA no longer concern me. I cannot help but note however that these cross- border coordinated actions come at a time when FIFA is assembled for elections to select a President who is universally disliked by the international community. At times such as this it is my experience that the large world powers typically take actions to affect world football. World football is an enormous international business.
That is no longer my concern. My sole focus at this stage of my life is on the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
I wish to advise the hundreds of thousands of persons who support the ILP that my commitment to them and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is undaunted and can never be broken.
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This is what he actually said:
““I wish to advise the hundreds of thousands of persons who support the ILP that my commitment to them and to the people of Trinidad and Tobago is undaunted and can never be broken.””
Never be broken, but bail… What happen there?
Jack should feel right at home. Stripes is definitely he color…Hopefully he meet ah good big stones man name Tyrone to cuddle up with.
THey don’t own FIFA either
Lock them all up for their greed and stupidity… Using the American banking system all willy nilly as though they own the banks. LOCK THEM UP. Good job FBI and IRS etc… They re all thieves! Don’t forget to return for Ishwar and Steve, Anil and Creed etc Take Kamla too.
If the FBI is pristine and so effective–they ironically haven’t arrested any banksters–they target who the most prudent–and why not muscle in on the lucrative and corrupt world of FIFA dom—
I am certainly not a supporter of Jack Warner, I believe that much of what he is accused is likely to have occurred and he as well as anyone found guilty should pay the price. However, I think it worth noting that in all of FIFA they chose to indict Caribbean, South American, Latin and Central American black and brown while European corruption remained untouched. With Blatter and his army of cronies going untouched what does this say about American justice. I recognize that CONCACAF offices in Miami and various meetings in the USA gave jurisdiction to the USA but will all those bank records, all those contracts and bribes NOT one high level European or Asian?
As I said, I am no fan of Jack Warner, however I do find this attempt of justice selective at a time that Sepp Blatter will waltz into another term as FIFA President.
Well they have jack in ah box at golden grove prison tonight.
Spi the beans now
when he says can never be broken he must know of what he speaks lol
People get real…. This is bigger than Trinidad. Stop making all about politics, get your heads out of the dirt into the real world…. People In Trinidad are the most narrowed minded and unpatriotic people existing on this planet…. So sad to see how stupid most of these comments are..please get real
When yuh name calling in nefarious activities then the obvious thing to do is to defend it so it should be be an issue going voluntarily to the United States to do so. No need for extradition proceedings and wasting State money
He’s a good guy so I don’t want to take him for too much. Lol
for such small money?
how did they operate when they came for ish and steve? or was that a blind man’s game of bluff? that i did not read up enough about?
There is valor to be admired in resilience eh, but oh God man!
I think the chips have fallen where they may,the fan has stopped working because it’s clogged and the river is coming down.
TTPS does only swoop in when it have bribes running
Pressure does buss pipe! Look how mouth going to open and ‘tory jump out. Jack has nothing to lose now because he knows his goose is cooked. The US DOJ not making those moves without an airtight case.
lolol
That’s false Anselm LeBourne. He hasn’t been arrested. They just confused indicted with arrested.
How come TTPS didn’t swoop in and arrest him like the Swiss authorities did at the FIFA offices? We don’t have an agreement that would allow for that? Or the US DOJ just didn’t want the authorities here to know anything?
Well, the process is for the US FBI to meet with the country’s AG and get approval to arrest with help of the local police. TTPS has to get the order from the AG. Countries like Switzerland have a low tolerance to fraud, corruption etc unlike Trinidad & Tobago. T&T, however, has a history of non-compliance to extradition except if the accused is of no significance. In Jack Warner’s case, other heads in T&T high places could roll, so T&T AG is going to consult with the PM first and probably drag it ‘slowly’ through T&T’s judicial system, as is the case with Ish and Steve. Now, if the PM has an issue with Jack his goose is cooked! He’ll be out of T&T by tomorrow morning.
So pretty much the US trusts the Swiss more than it does us. I think it’s going to be really embarrassing if everybody else is extradited and we pussyfooting down here. Loretta Lynch did not come to play.
I actually don’t think Switzerland’s tolerance for corruption is that low at all… Of course compared to Trinidad and Tobago is a whole other story.
Lawrence Duprey could probably teach Madoff a thing or three. (And bill him for 10)
Hahahaha! Lasana, this is a serious issue. Why you cracking jokes? :p
” actually don’t think Switzerland’s tolerance for corruption is that low at all”
Did you really write that Lasana Liburd?
The one place where criminals and the corrupt of the european world since the 1900s or before storing their buillions, paintings and thievery from all manner of people, all over the globe?
what the jail/
so much so even new and recent global thieves, post colonial dictators have resorted to that bastion wall to protect their preserves.
smh
Smh. Read over what I wrote slowly Maven Huggins. I said I DON’T think Switzerland has a low tolerance of corruption. Now tell me what you think of what I wrote again.
pray tell ! what is your opinion based on ?
Lasana Liburd : ” I actually don’t think Switzerland’s tolerance for corruption is that low at all ” .
because if you did just 10 minutes of research on the internet …
but then again , we both know, you are not very competent as a reporter …
PNM supporters sure are stupid
Eg : Lasana Liburd” …
The opposite of low tolerance for corruption is high tolerance for corruption. And what does high tolerance for corruption suggest?
Go sit in a corner and think about it Einstein. 😉
forgive me eh. ever since last night my phone getting stolen at my friend’s house when it was just three of us there, the other two a couple, I dont trust anything, not even my own command or understanding of anything, not even english, in any part or quarter
But what I am saying is that Switzerland ..lol…has a VERY HIGH Tolerance for Corruption
So yes, thanks for holding my hand. I need that now actually, truthfully…we saying the same thing
love you for your patience friend. Thanks!!
Kendall Tull, Warner’s sons are supposedly always popping into the country. And yet in this day of social media saturation there are never any photographs to prove it.
I don’t think the US Attorney General will be made a fool of by Trinidad and Tobago. This is different to Ish and Steve. That press conference was so charged, I thought they were going after Bin Laden and see.
I’m confident about my bet. 🙂
why is this different to ish and steve, cause dare a black man be up in the ranks of money benders? i need some critical thinking international conscious observers to give me a reading.
i cant even make my argument cause there is no precedent. zero
and all this days before a fifa election
alright.
Call me flying monkey/
Are they in jail? I understand one was in the country recently.
I don’t understand how you can keep proclaiming innocence when your sons have pleaded guilty and I don’t understand what kind of father leaves his sons to take the fall. If it were me, I would have been trying to cut whatever deal I have to to ensure they don’t spend a day in jail. And I would have been doing that since at least 2013. If not before.
Pay and then no jail time in exchange for cooperation.
Innocent? Then why did his sons plead guilty to charges related to FIFA?
The government said that they started proceedings against Ish and Steve as well. Where did that go?
Man, I have lived in the USA for quite some time and have seen good times and bad times with these agencies. One thing for sure, these folks have a low tolerance for those who act above and beyond the law especially under the current leadership recently appointed. She is making her mark. My focus now is on my home country, T&T, because all other countries have ‘arrested’ the accused and are exercising the extradition process. Jack Warner is still walking free. T&T is sweet for days.
Btw Kenneth, don’t be so quick to sing the praises of the FBI being such a crack unit. They do get it horrendously wrong at times.
http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2014/04/16/fbi-must-answer-for-poor-job-marathon-bombing-investigation/pKoEQXdjAZ3KSEI7WQ6JrN/story.html
That last part isn’t likely but I agree about the embarrassment.
NO! Kendall, I don’t know what you know. But this is what I know. Ish’s and Steve’s extradition papers have been frozen in the T&T judicial system on orders of the ‘most high’ in T&T. If Jack Warner and the ‘most high’ in T&T are still in bed with each other then no way Jack going anytime soon. But to have 3 wealthy Trinidadians on US extradition orders on suspicion of fraud and money laundering and the ‘most high’ continues to block US justice then that is a major eyesore for us. And worse yet when, the US military extracts them out of Trinidad in the dead of night by force. What an embarrassment that would be.
And this statement right here is why I’m not saying a thing on this topic but sitting back reading and observing.
Kenneth is a million times right.I think the flood gates are about to open.
i just wrote a post about packing my army issued duffle bag for when they reach and grabbing the first rope the let down
but in the meanwhile, this is an interesting story for me.
Some we protect who they are ? or are they? from the so called all powerful usa, but is a black man that will open the extradition flood gates?
you all awake or is identity blinding
as always there are shades and veils and elephants not being discussed
they missed the first two wealthy but picking up the third. ok.
Are you interested in the bet Kenneth?
Allyuh think the United States’ FBI and the IRS operate like the fraud squad and the Integrity Commission in T&T. Not even the President of the US can bribe/influence these agents like T&T MPs do to TTPS officers and the T&T fraud squad. These US agents are not into title, position, ego and friend thing! They are about business. These guys and gals will arrest their own parents, friends and siblings, and when they get approval from their chief prosecutor to indict it’s because they have met all the criteria to prosecute resulting in a potentially airtight case against the accused.
Lasana Liburd – I will take bets that no extradition taking place immediately. I will also take bets he isn’t dying in any jail. Care to put your money where your mouth is?
The Universal Law of the Cosmos has been enforced.
Jack Warner can’t worm his way out of this one. Let the chips fall where they may.
You’re talking about lawmen pulling millionaires out of five-star hotels in Zurich. This is no trumped up charge. Warner won’t win.
And with the time he is facing, he will probably die in a jail cell. But his allegedly stolen money would probably end up in the pockets of local lawyers.
So very true Lasana Liburd.
Hypothetically, if anyone wanted “due process” would they not have made themselves available to the relevant authorities for direct questioning and to clear their name??
Who playing all fours today in T&T? Mr. HiLoHangJack bribed his way to remain relevant, but the stench of corruption and extortion still lingers.#GameToGo!
If only T&T fraud investigation unit was as pristine and thorough as the FBI and the IRS, LifeSport would have been wrapped up and all those in the Ministry of Sports and their co-conspirators who profited from LifeSport and other kickbacks would have been prosecuted already. IF ONLY…
I agree Lasana. He will prob be extradited. But he will not go to jail. Not saying that I don’t think he deserved to because i do. But it will prob end up like the Ish case all over again
If guilty, he has to give back the money. He can’t be allowed to spend it on lawyers in the event that it has to be returned.
Somebody isn’t going to freeze his assets?
He will spend millions fighting extradition… And he will lose. Some local attorneys probably sharpening their knives. Lol.
wonder why the intent that he will lose when ish and steve were /are protected and got away/ but perspective, identity and bias is a hell of a thing eh? and when you have coals in the fire and cocoa in the sun…
and i waiting to see who will lead the band that extradition should be a party for three and not one
Hundreds of thousands of ILP supporters…LOL.
The Government isn’t going to risk further embarrassment by forcing the US into a position where they will have to forcibly remove JW from here. They are probably panicking because they’re sure he’s going to spill the beans on all of them. Best bet they will hasten the process to get him out but part of the deal will be that Ish & Steve will have to go as well. The US is playing this like a game of chess. Come for one, come for all!
I was wondering why it took you so long…lol…I with my friends on this one. I don’t think Uncle Jack making a jail.
Yes, but did you order the Code Red…??
Broke or broken?