Walwyn ESHS wall investigation heading to DPP Office - CoP Matthews
"The Investigation into the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) Wall... has reached a stage where a file is going to the Director of Public Prosecutions," CoP Matthews said on public radio ZBVI 780AM today, January 14, 2020, during a live episode of the 'Honestly Speaking' radio show moderated by Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline.
'I don't make the charging decision' - CoP Matthews
"Obviously, I don't make the charging decisions, that is an independent authority of the DPP's Office, but they will be presented with the evidence that we've accrued throughout our investigation."
The Top CoP continued, "I will await to see what decisions they make about whether they feel there is sufficient evidence for a criminal prosecution," he said.
When grilled, CoP Matthews refused to say whether the existing evidence suffices criminal prosecution at the DPP office, however, said there are several unanswered questions about the wall project from his personal perspective.
"That's not my privilege to state that [possible charges], I've read the evidence, I've looked at the evidence, and for me, there are quite clearly questions to be answered,' he said.
It should be noted that this is not the first investigation into the ESHS wall. A previous report from Auditor General (AG) Ms Sonia M. Webster stated that the wall project broke financial laws, there was no value for money and persons were paid but work was not completed.
'Project broke Financial laws' - AG Webster
Amidst controversy and a leak to the press, the report was then handed to the Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert who then handed it over to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Official criminal investigations then commenced.
Ms Webster also listed a trail of alleged corruption surrounding the controversial project from start to finish. CoP Mathews, in July 2019, had stated that close to 100 persons were investigated as part of the RVIPF probe.
"This isn't going to be an overnight investigating, nor should it be, because we have to be thorough. We have to make sure that if we are going to reach a point in time where we are going to arrest and charge people, that we've done the groundwork properly," he said.
In February 2019, Mr Walwyn, who was regarded as one of the most controversial and divisive personalities in Virgin Islands (VI) politics, was brutally ousted by voters in the 2019 elections after serving two terms [2011-2019] in office.
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35 Responses to “Walwyn ESHS wall investigation heading to DPP Office - CoP Matthews”
Here in we corrupt little hole, the shams of Pier-Park and Airline-$7m and Hurricane-Recovery need to be next on the blotter, CoP. Go and slay them all.
the SOLE power to commence or end prosecutions rest with the DPP. so the Commissioner can charge from now till the return of Christ, it will go no where without the DPP's signature.
I hope you get it right before sitting your exams.
Do for do
One worker did not come into work each time he asked her to do something she knew was wrong
Funny man was so oppressive every money spent he had to approve a big dictator; look the bvi is better off with him gone out of politics. What a victory for the people
Why the COP DON'T INVESTIGATE HIS DEP***