Opposition Leader Hon. Floyd Seymour

Opposition Leader Hon. Floyd Seymour is calling on His Excellency Governor Richard Tauwhare to seek the advice of the Secretary of State before slapping his stamp of approval on the Integrity Commission Bill, which was passed in the House of Assembly during the Budget Debate.

Describing the Bill as a watered down version from its original state, the Opposition Leader said it was unacceptable and creates an opportunity for excuse to those involve in acts of corruption and also reduces the level of penalty they face if found guilty of such acts.

In a post budget news conference held at the Gecko Grille on Thursday, May 1, the Opposition Leader said the Bill makes for those who embezzled Government money only receiving a slap on the wrist, since the sentencing is not as punitive as it should be.

“This is telling. With the possibility of a Commission of Inquiry looming, we are concerned over the watered down content of this Bill and to this end, have asked the Governor to withhold his assent and seek advice from the Secretary of State,” Hon. Seymour said.

“People holding the highest elected offices in this country and in such a strong fiduciary relationship, entrusted with the people's assets ought not to receive a slap on the wrist after found guilty of any theft or corruption related to offences.”

He said Government has amended Section 47 (1) (a) to reduce the penalty for persons found guilty of corruption under Section 44 (a), (b), (c); and Section 45 and 46 – which indicate that a public official charged with corruption under the act faces a reduced punishment:

 

• On conviction from 15 years to five years;
• On summary conviction from five years to two years; and
• And reduce the disqualification from holding public office from seven years to five years.

He further declared that Government has amended Section 47 (2) to reduce the penalty for persons committing an act of corruption under Section 44 under subsections (d) to (k), which indicated that:

•  On conviction reduced from a fine of $30,000 to a fine of $20,000 and from 10 years imprisonment to a five year's imprisonment;

•  Summary conviction reduced from five years to two years; and

•  To reduce disqualification from seven years to five years.

He said, too, that Section 47 of the Bill was amended to reduce penalty for persons, who knowingly possess or are in control of any property or in possession of proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from such acts. That penalty, according to Hon. Seymour has been dropped from a fine of $50,000 to $20,000 and from a10 year to a five year imprisonment. The summary conviction has also been adjusted, according to Hon. Seymour, from $20,000 to $10,000 and imprisonment from five years to two years.

Additionally, the sentences for someone that committed an offense and is liable, under the Integrity Commission Act, according to the Opposition Leader, has been reduced from $50,000 to $20,000 and from 10 years to five years imprisonment.

He said Section 54 has been amended to reduce the penalty for someone who maliciously makes a false allegation from $30,000 to $20,000 and from five years to two years imprisonment. He said the summary conviction has also been reduced from $15,000 to $10,000 and from three years to two years imprisonment.

According to Hon. Seymour, the deductions do not serve as a deterrent to corruption officials who may be tempted to put their hand in the cookie jar, noting that the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) strongly condemns the reduction in the punitive measures.