Evidence has surfaced that the red roofed, ocean front villas at Savanne Paille which a hired operative claimed belonged to him totally, are actually owned by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
The upscale villas which carry a conservative construction cost estimate of over eight million dollars are situated on 2.74 acres of land purchased in mysterious circumstances in the name of Blaircourt Property Development Limited in 2007.
When former Prime Minister Edison James asked whether Skerrit had an interest in the property at a public meeting on September 7th, 2009, the Labour Party boss quickly dispatched Tony Astaphan and Renneth Alexis to pedal lies and fool the public.
It has since been discovered that Skerrit’s plan for the villas precedes the April 2nd, 2007 incorporation of Blaircourt which was set up as a decoy company with Earl Grant as sole director, to keep the fact of Skerrit’s ownership out of the public domain.
It is unclear whether Skerrit has declared this asset to the Integrity Commission as required by law and whether the Commission has any interest letting the law take its course in so far as it concerns 1) the failure to file a truthful declaration; and 2) the possession of assets that cannot be explained by legal income.
A series of emails between individuals on Skerrit’s payroll from the first half of 2007 to recent times, establish the fact that at all material times he was the controlling unseen influence behind the emergence of this no longer secret piece of his multi-million dollar empire.
In a November 2007 reference to Skerrit, Guyanese engineer Supriya Singh makes some interesting email disclosures to Hartley Henry who recruited her to oversee the building construction projects of the man he serves as political advisor:
“I need to be paid the initial down payment of 35% of US$58,000 which is what I propose to charge him for the work I am doing on this project. I will attach the contract in a separate email. I have addressed the contract to you so as not to put his name on any paperwork… Please ask Skerrit to pay me the advance through the bank but I need at least 1000 us now in Dominica”.
Earlier, in July 2007 Skerrit approved the design of the villas by a California based architect brought on board by Singh.
His email dated July 12, 2007 to Singh, Henry and others, was brief and to the point:
Hello All,
I received the various documents and I am in total agreement. Please proceed accordingly.
Regards,Roosevelt
On July 28th, Skerrit had some good news for the management team of his then top secret private enterprise:
Hello All, Greetings and hope that all is well
Just to let you know that I shall forward to Supriya the revised draft drawings and to inform that the drawings will be sent to the Planning Authority for approval. Things are progressing nicely.
On another note, please advise me on where we are with the faculty apartments.
Take care.
Skerrit
Further email correspondence between Singh and Henry give the lie to claims by Renneth Alexis that the villas belong to him. In fact the evidence reveals that while he requested government concessions for the villas from Invest Dominica as a board member of the Authority in September 2007 and while he approached the bank for the loan a 2.2 million dollar loan to Blaircourt, he was acting on the instructions of Skerrit.
In her update by email dated January 25th, 2008 Singh lets some telltale cats out of the bag:
“The Ocean Front villas have started and I am about to complete the purchasing of the tiles, plumbing, windows and doors for that. I have been assigned to Isidore and Alexis to run with that one… So far we have established a good working relationship. Isidore now realizes that after spending millions on his house which is half finished, he is in a mess… so he keeps asking me to help him out.
On September 23rd, 2009, when Skerrit’s denial of any interest in Blaircourt was a hot ticket item on local talk shows, Singh addressed him directly on residual payment issues as the projects neared completion:
“I still have to charge the procurement fee to cover my expenses over the past months doing all this running around and there is still a lot more to do to get the final loose ends tied up. . I know this is a difficult time for you with all that is going on and that transfers are not that easy but please see what you can do to close this off. I will check the amount later and send the letter but I charged 12% on the total amount of purchases, Mr. I paid some already last year but there is still a balance owing in the twenty something thousand area…”
In response to these disclosures, Skerrit claims (with absolutely no evidence) that his email account was “hacked” and correspondence was “doctored” to suit specific purposes.
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes sar.
You Know i don't mean to sound harsh but we as Dominican are some of the dumbest people in the world. Every time i come on this site its always something to do with Sherrit and his crew. that's what i have to call it cause these people who are running this country like the mob. I mean these people don't have a heart nor a conscience. Its funny these are the same set of people that kept making claims of corruption against UWP a dew elections back abut yet after many years the so called Mr. Ass-taphan cannot prove. But yet time and time again we see the corruption that's going on in this place. The worse part of this all we as Dominicans are going to still vote them in because we like the person. Matters not that's these people are as corruptible as poison.
I mean seriously when are we going to wake in these place.
One wonders if the IPO will do anything about this, past performance indicates not which apears to be the given standard they have adopted,
Skerrit has used Tony Astephann yet again to prevaricate for him with utterences of an enquirey, Tony will for sure have advised Skerit from ventuiring down this path as e mails are there for ever they can never be deleted even if you smash the hard drive to fragments the e mail server has everything, and can be retrieved by order of the court this Skerrit can not do.
The only way to conclude this matter imediately is for a vote of no confidence in the Skerrit administration even if it close to election time makes no difference at all and it will stop everything in its tracks all of the opposition parties should unite and do this now, you have to stop the rot-
It is presumtious to assume that anyones computer was hacked Skerrit should know that treachery is everywhere and this is closer to his camp than he realises. the way Skerrit has acted since the revelations typifies a man who fears the truth, in every case they look to blame someone else like the revealer for instance but ñas for the sad mad it is too solid to question and he knows this yet he still embarrases Astephan and Henry to conspire together a plausible excuse like "the computer was hacked" which is an admittance of knowledge of them, to say that they were cut and pasted is again stupid beyond immagination as the e mails can be retrieved from the e mail host etc.
they are in the quagmire of their very own making and about to submerge for the third time your done-
You think they easy
Dominicans cant take anymore labour pains.
yessaahhh!!!!! give they young man a chance they say!?????
this young man is full of corruption and is corrupting the country and the young minds of those coming up Shame on him.. He thinks he can fool everyone. The whole world is laughing at us.
I think they are n ow call us 'ISLE OF BEAUTY FULL OF CORRUPTION.'
the religious leaders of this country, have lost all moral authority to come and dictate to people who should sign or not sign a code of conduct. they have gone off to babylon, and are dining on the wines and meats of a corrupt government. their bellies are full with hypocrisy and now, they should take a purge, fast for 40 days and 40 nights, and pray to their god, for forgiveness, for going astray, and leading their flocks with them.
The labour party and all their supporters should be equated with the part of Dominica that should be considered "a waste of time". Thats exactly what they are. A bunch of greedy young men..seeking exclusivly to fatten their pockets and keep the malaway below them with their mouths open begging for food. People should stop with this blind support….if u ask a lot of them why they supporting skerrit they most likely will only scream "labour power", summoning their ignorance as a means to withdraw from the conversation. Skerrit is heart-less, i have come to this conclusion. this man is only concerned with himself…I am sure many people from real democratic countries around the world, who reads this is going to classify us all as some really stupid naive people who lack comprehension of plain old evil even if it was right in their faces.
The email was hacked, The information was doctored, cut and pasted but the content has never been denied. Dominicans listen carefully between the lines.
An example of cutting & pasting and reconstructing an email to suit your agenda. In your fifth email reference that paragraph or quote does not match the original email. You took a line from the first paragraph second line, cut out what you wanted, added what you wanted to make up a story line. Below is how that original paragraph started. You have the email you now what is says.
"I must travel back to Miami again next week and will be there for quite a few days working on your stuff only. I know this is a difficult time for you with all that is going on and that transfers are not that easy but please see what you can do to close this off. I will check the amount later and send the letter but I charged 12% on the total amount of purchases, Mr. I paid some already last year but there is still a balance owing in the twenty something thousand area… have to check later." How does that compare?
What is this big issue about what skerrit have or qwhat he owns. I personally do not see anything
wrong if the man wants to build up himself or if he wants to own more property than Lennox. I think its just plain jealousy. If eddo had gotten back as Pm for another term he would have been a millionare now, and anyone one of you in that position would do exactly or even worse than skerrit
Jealous of Skerrit for what? Corruption? Who get jealous of corruption?The country does not belong to Skerrit my friend. wrong is wrong , corruption is corruption. Skerrit is supposed to lead the country with good morales . I was raised in a strong labour home but wrong is wrong. He is exploiting the country. In other islands he would not still be there as prime mininster from his first accusation partner.Take off the cover over your eyes. There is a God who sees everything.It's not about Party its about saving our country.
so guest speaker u dont see anything wrong with this right???
at least u have admitted that skerrit is doing wrong, if u think that maybe we would do exactly or worse….. …am i reading to much into this ……. i dont think so
This is exactly what am talking about. Trying to justify what sherrit is doing by claiming any one would do that same. So because anyone would do that same what he is doing is right. Guest what my friend here is a dose of reality for you. Go bad and do your research and u will see that after the freedom party lost power under ms. Charles and the UWP came into office this country GDP was rising and Unemployment was dropping. But i Guest your no concerned about that. Sherrit got A nice smile and you like him. I Voted for labor in the last election my friend. Because the person in my village was the best choice. But RIGHT is Right and Wrong is WRONG. No matter how u wanna explain it or Justify it. whats is going on is wrong.
Its that simple. This is not rocket Science.
Melissa where did I admit that Sherritt is doing wrong? all I did was point out an observation how people can manipulate information to suit their own agenda.
Fortune where did I justify what Skerritt is doing. When the shoes is on the other foot we can't seem to handle the truth.
It works both ways.
no cut and paste. Any intelligent school child reading and following the story will see that it is true. Stop being bias people.Dominica belongs to all of us.Governments come and they go. don't forget that.
The more Skerrit lie , the more evedence of corruption and lies that comes up.You see Our father in heaven is not asleep.
Where is the law as it pertains to all these allegations against the sitting Prime Minister? Are there no laws in Dominica as exists in other democratic countries, to investigate and prosecute this man called Skerrit? If as stated all the evidence points to a clear case of corruption and a rape of the countries finances. Why then is not a call for a no confidence vote as suggested by an earlier writer. I am Dominican living in another country and I am of the opinion that you should educate people first before they vote, otherwise you get a lot of people who cannot understand the impact of what this will mean for them in the future voting for the same and going on with their miserable lives and keep complaining. The opposition should get together on this one do it for Dominica and then look after individual party affiliation.
I love my FREEDOM, i was not created to be held in bondage. If the Dominican electorate reelects Skerro back into office, then we "fini-bat" as free people. some of us might die for our freedom. Greed is greed in all form regardless of who is caught in the greedy act. I believe that we will do the right thing come December 18th and not take our country to the next level, but remove our country from the hands of the greedy and power hungry men whose sole purpose in the end is to shut us up 'cause we too free in our own country.
Ah Magwesa! What would my ancestors do?
Is to much money Dominica has.
This is so true.Remember BJ was caught red handed?He was getting duty free concession on building materials and he claimed it to be for his chuurch when and in fact was for his own home? The first person he called when he was picked up was his partner Skerrit, so what do you expect?
Peter Augustine said stop bashing the young man but he shoul instead ask the young man the stop the corruption and let him know that Dominica is not an estate left for him by his parents.
With all that, Peter Augustine is always on the air shouting 'Don't touch that dial' when he never used to check his father who lived at Newtown.His father was a complete stranger to him . This was his route to his home yet he'd never stop to say hello to his dad nor even encourage his wife to stop by and say hello.Ruben's bread shop was just across his father's shop and his father used to stay right in his shop and look at him stop to buy bread .He only started coming by when his father MANO was near death so that he could grab what he could..It's not all those who cry LOrd, Lord . The bible talks all about it.
What about all the shame his married daughter has brought to him?Ask questions about her and you all will be surprised.Corruption is corruption whoever does it. Wrong is wrong.
All those uneducated ,one sided people who see the corruption and still condone it because of party >What a shame on our people.
Where have you ever seen or heard a prime Minister behaving like this?
Why do the little man on the street get arrested for petty crimes because the law says that they should be arrested and Skerrit does not respect the law and still gets away?He openly tells us that no law can stop him.I think t hen that all the prisoners up in Stockfarm should be set free. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
boy look a waste of time website. honestdominica? oh please
If you have nothing to say…dont post!
You know, all what the PM has acquired over the years is well good for him,(but you have to feed your flocks as well) but one would think that as ruler of the Island you would create employment and make life easier for the people who put in in office. My point is before you require funds for a sports stadium that's like a ghost town in the heart of the city, renovating or building an up-to-date hospital for the citizens would be the best project ever. Improving the banana industry, building schools, building roads (not only the roads you travel back and forth from home to the city). Maybe you acquiring welath so rapidly would not have been a major issue. I am just saying
It is obvious that Skerrit is forever on the defensive. Soon he will run into a cul de sac and his only way out is to run to France where he can't be extradited. PPL that's the reason why he adopted French citizenship in 2005-2006. With all these desparate acts Skerrit seem to be opening up the flood gates.
I do hope that when everything comes tumbling down that all the coherts to include those greedy lawyers and those who help disguise the transfer of funds thru bogus ownership declaration, pastors, and the fligh by night embassadors.
It is obvious that Skerrit is forever on the defensive. Soon he will run into a cul de sac and his only way out is to run to France where he can't be extradited. PPL that's the reason why he adopted French citizenship in 2005-2006. With all these desparate acts Skerrit seem to be opening up the flood gates.
I do hope that when everything comes tumbling down that all the coherts to include those greedy lawyers and those who help disguise the transfer of funds thru bogus ownership declaration, pastors, and the fligh by night embassadors get prosecuted.
Dominicans to like beth, leave the man do his job and stop all that skerrit this skerrit that.
Sweetness.. U have kids? If and when u do, when they come home with
stuff u did not buy, would u let them just be? Say nothing? Ask no
questions? Tell them go ahead and lie, steal and cheat? Better yet
if u are an employer would let and employee that lies , cheats and
steals, just continue to do their job? Think before u speak and open
ur eyes. Take the red out of it and think of Dominica. She need
leaders of integrity… Red green yellow or blue. Peace
well to me dominicans are always fast to talk and slow to react. All dominicans see is the when someone do wrong but they never see the good you do for them.
Sweetnes .. Fast to talk?.. Ok I get that part.. Slow to react? You
lost me there. The good you do for them?. If you are speaking of the
good the gov is doing for dominica, well let me ask you – why do we
elect the government again? Let me answer.. We pay the government
ministers to handle the affairs of the state on behalf of we the
people., they are suppose to do good things for all of us, that is why
the are there and they are paid to do a job and they have to do the
jobs they are paid to do. If you classify that as the good that they
do.. Well we have 5 years to show them if we like the good that they
do and the bad that they do.. So u see sweetnes we do let them know
how much we like the good that they do.. Its called elections..and
since some may see it differnetly then that's why we go to vote or
councience. If they are confident in the good that they do then they
wouls not be doing bad things like, Paying to bring voters to vote,
an act which is againts the election code sectio 53-56, handing out
cash to voters in broad daylight, shotting out other political parties
from dbs radio and gis tv, refusing to answer question on so called
town hall meetings, refusing to attend the national debate to
intellegently discuss their past performance and future programs.
These fore me. Is enough bad to let me speak loudly in the voting
booth. Peace
honestda…… Dominica already has a leader,but the people of dominica should stop that division and unit so that we can take dominica to the next level. To much talking talking keeping us down
Yes we do.. A leadr who is in constant violation of the laws of this
land, who insults the people who put him ther, who refuse to come to
the public honestly on matters of public interest, who refuses to
debate on national isssues, who has been shown to be a liar on
multiple occasions, who has refuse to let other political parties be
heard on the national radio station, who uses goverment media for
party politics, who refuses to be open and tranaparent on matters of
state, who told us that a vibrant democray requires that the citizens
ask questions and demands answers from their government, but hides and
insults when we ask pertinent questions, who has potential amabsordors
pay to become ambasodors.. I can go on cause but that list is already
long….the leader is the one who by his own actions is brining the
country in disrepute… Hitla was a leader to…many stayed silent
until it was to late. Can you imagine where the world would be if the
silence had continue Yes we have a leader.. Thank god we have the
opportunity to give him he report card every five years..You are right
about one thing. Too much talk, time for civil disobedience to force
answers. Peace
are we dominicans up or is skerit up, are we just blatantly idiots or wat?stay silent and c who will go up, doh talk.j in the cards
Skerrit is now Eco Voleur pas que il voleur deux arc terre encore.
Ok here we go again another term in public office now tell me is skerrit going to declare his asset to the IPO and we want to see if that red proof building is going to add to the list , let's see what the law is going to do with him now, am watching this one. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
By the time some people open there eyes and see whats happening to this country for the love of the dimpled one IT WILL BE TOO LATE!!!!