Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness has introduced plans to hunt authorized recommendation following an Integrity Fee’s (IC) report offered in Parliament, which discovered inadequate proof to help allegations of false earnings declarations concerning the non-disclosure of 4 financial institution accounts. The IC’s Director of Corruption Prosecutions, Keisha Prince-Kameka, dominated out prison expenses primarily based on a advice from the Fee’s Director of Investigations, Kevon Stephenson.
The investigation was prompted by considerations over Holness’s reported web price progress of J$51.6 million between 2016 and 2021. Holness said that the accounts in query had been dormant and beforehand reported, with balances round J$3,000 and €200. He emphasised that many Jamaicans, together with his mother and father, add their kids to accounts for survivorship causes. He asserted that he had not claimed these accounts as his belongings and was happy with the IC’s conclusion of inadequate proof for intentional omission.
Holness famous that the report analyzed his private monetary affairs from 2018 to 2023, involving over 3,600 transactions and 28 financial institution accounts, together with greater than 80 witness statements. A global forensic accounting examiner was employed for six months for this thorough investigation. He maintained that the inquiry discovered no proof of illicit enrichment linked to his public workplace.
He challenged the report’s discovering of a J$1.9 million unexplained progress in his web price in 2022, arguing that the quantity was negligible relative to his complete belongings. He criticized the calculations used within the report, claiming errors in knowledge that affected the findings. Holness additionally disputed claims concerning an asset’s funding supply, stating that inaccuracies from a financial institution’s steadiness verification led to confusion.
Moreover, he rejected assertions that he obstructed the investigation, asserting his compliance with all authorized obligations. Holness intends to seek the advice of on the report’s suggestions, emphasizing his dedication to governance with respect and dignity. He additionally highlighted the necessity for pressing revisions to the regulation governing the Integrity Fee to reinforce its credibility and effectiveness, advocating for rules that stop politicization and guarantee give attention to vital points.
