Goodbye Kern....Spencer Charged with Fraud

[SmoothOperator]

Glory, glory, hallelujah. We hardly knew ye.

http://www.radiojamaica.com/content/view/5869/26/

Former Junior Minister in the Ministry of Energy, Kern Spencer is now in police custody charged with fraud.

He was charged a short while ago in connection with Cuban Light Bulb scandal.

Mr. Spencer, businessman Rodney Chin and Coleen Wright, who was a personal assistant to Mr. Spencer were charged by the Organised Crime Unit.

The charges follow weeks of investigation into the Cuban Light Bulb scandal
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[SmoothOperator]

Re: Goodbye Kern....Spencer Charged with Fraud

7 charges including money laundering and he in the lockup til Thursday.

Wow, wow. How many years would that be if convicted on all 7 counts?

[evanovitch]

Re: Goodbye Kern....Spencer Charged with Fraud

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080227/lead/lead1.html

[evanovitch]

Re: Goodbye Kern....Spencer Charged with Fraud

[evanovitch]

Every dollar counts

Every dollar counts

KEN CHAPLIN
Tuesday, February 26, 2008



Some time ago, a point of view was expressed in this column that corruption is encouraged when a new government fails to expose the corrupt practices of the previous government. In Jamaica's political history, until now, a great deal of cover-up was accorded to the outgoing government by the new government which appears to have been by tacit agreement. As a result, corruption continued unabated and increased in some areas.


KEN CHAPLIN
The new Jamaica Labour Party government has rightly changed this course, and is exposing corruption in the People's National Party's past administration over the last 18 years. Of course, many comrades have not welcomed this approach to governance and have argued for the government to soften its position.

For example, Peter Bunting, member of parliament and newly elected general secretary of the PNP, has put forward the position that it is a waste of time for members of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to discuss small amounts of money which were overpaid to government employees. The essential point is that the country has a right to know of any discrepancy in government's accounting and any money stolen or wasted, and the information deriving therefrom given wide publicity.

This approach should help to check corruption in government. If one were to tally the amount of taxpayers' money stolen over the past 18 years, it would be sufficient to improve many roads or the health service. The position taken by Bunting was not a good start for him in the area of fiscal accountability as a parliamentarian and might have given the wrong impression. One hopes that if or when the PNP becomes the government again it will not delay investigation of any impropriety in the JLP administration. We must rid this country of government corruption.

Forensic audit of FINSAC necessary

Everyone should welcome the decision of the government to have a forensic internal audit of the Financial Sector Adjustment Company Ltd (FINSAC) and the Financial Institutions Service Ltd. The two bodies were created by the previous PNP government to expedite resuscitation of failed banks in the meltdown of the financial sector in the 1990s and to restructure the sector. The reasons for the damaging effect of the meltdown are well known, one of which was high interest rates at the time. Interest rates rose to as high as 50 per cent and borrowers found it difficult to repay the banks. FINSAC moved in, captured and sold the assets of delinquent borrowers to a foreign firm cheaply, but not all of this was recorded for dissemination to the public.

As a depositor with investments in Century National Bank (CNB), I must admit that I had difficulty in being objective in the columns I wrote about FINSAC. For example, I was paid back all my balance in the bank except one year's interest which came to a substantial sum. I wanted information for my column on how many politicians withdrew their deposits a few hours before CNB was closed down, and which politicians were released of their debts to banks after FINSAC took over.

FINSAC refused to give the information, citing the banking laws. PJ Patterson, prime minister at the time, promised to give the information to Parliament, if others in the private sector made similar public disclosure. Of course, this did not happen either way.

Finance Minister Audley Shaw says that the purpose of the audit is to report on the probity, propriety and mismanagement decisions made by FINSAC, and whether the government of Jamaica suffered any loss that could have been avoided. However, having regard to the damage the financial meltdown caused to the economy and to people, the investigation should be widened to include all the factors which caused the meltdown. The full story needs to be told so that the country can avoid taking a similar course in the future.

Spencer case could check PNP's drive for power

The question being asked in political circles is why the PNP government, which had a good record of probity before 1992, has had so many charges of corruption levelled against it. There is only one answer: the government must have felt that after 18 years in office it would continue for many, many more years, if not forever. Apparently, many people became corrupt believing that their government would be in office forever. But it so happened that last year Pandora's box began to be opened by the new JLP government.

Some of the things done by Kern Spencer, junior minister in the PNP government, in his management of the Cuban light bulb distribution, many of which Contractor General Greg Christie says warrant criminal investigation, were foolish and brazen. Spencer, instead of taking leave from the House of Representatives, should have resigned or been forced to resign long ago to spare the PNP Opposition embarrassment. However, Spencer's resignation would leave the Opposition with 27 seats in the House of Representatives instead of 28 to the JLP's 32. If the PNP wins at least two of the dual citizenship cases against sitting JLP members of parliament, the tally would be 30-30 which would have serious political implications. But Spencer's resignation would leave the count: JLP 30, PNP 29, a slim majority of one for the time being.

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Every dollar counts

The behavior of these journalists and political hacks remins me of that of the local gang bangers. they are making a big stink about what really does not matter. While the real wealth and future of the country are stolen by th ecolonial lackies. In the mean teme they haggle over a place to sit at the street corner. Still having to do immoral deeds to survive. Jamaica has all it needs to be a very prosperous place. and nothing that has been put forward by any of these socalled educated will even move the country closer to that goal.
It's a shame,thaty they have wasted good brains and opportunities while the country slides down the drain.

[RichD]

Re: Every dollar counts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The behavior of these journalists and political hacks remins me of that of the local gang bangers. they are making a big stink about what really does not matter. While the real wealth and future of the country are stolen by th ecolonial lackies. In the mean teme they haggle over a place to sit at the street corner. Still having to do immoral deeds to survive. Jamaica has all it needs to be a very prosperous place. and nothing that has been put forward by any of these socalled educated will even move the country closer to that goal.
It's a shame,thaty they have wasted good brains and opportunities while the country slides down the drain. </div></div> so doc do you think mr spencer(or any of the others charged) did anything wrong?

[evanovitch]

Re: Every dollar counts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The behavior of these journalists and political hacks remins me of that of the local gang bangers. they are making a big stink about what really does not matter. While the real wealth and future of the country are stolen by th ecolonial lackies. In the mean teme they haggle over a place to sit at the street corner. Still having to do immoral deeds to survive. Jamaica has all it needs to be a very prosperous place. and nothing that has been put forward by any of these socalled educated will even move the country closer to that goal.
It's a shame,thaty they have wasted good brains and opportunities while the country slides down the drain. </div></div>

aint it a byatch dat di broom neva did good sweeping but a bell a toll fi dem now [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]..ring di alarm , anodda tricksta bawling...ohh ohh.ring di alarm....

[Dyoll_73]

Re: Every dollar counts

So what happen to Paulwell?

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Every dollar counts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RichD</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The behavior of these journalists and political hacks remins me of that of the local gang bangers. they are making a big stink about what really does not matter. While the real wealth and future of the country are stolen by th ecolonial lackies. In the mean teme they haggle over a place to sit at the street corner. Still having to do immoral deeds to survive. Jamaica has all it needs to be a very prosperous place. and nothing that has been put forward by any of these socalled educated will even move the country closer to that goal.
It's a shame,thaty they have wasted good brains and opportunities while the country slides down the drain. </div></div> so doc do you think mr spencer(or any of the others charged) did anything wrong? </div></div> My view is that there is enough wrongs to go around. I also beleive that the JLP is no less corrupted than the PNP and this attitude of seeing the indictment of Spemcer as some sign of things being made right' is only a distraction. the real robbery of the country is not done by those in the nouse, but the ones in the back rooms that pot them there.
Nothing for nothing, and they invest a pretty penny,and they will jhave to be repaid.

[Q3210]

Re: Every dollar counts

So doctor doom, it`s business as usual. It`s okay to be robbed by modern day corrupt publicly elected officers but nay say never by colonial masters and JLP members.

Good grief!

(Wondering whay could have hit Doc Doom in him haid)

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Every dollar counts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So doctor doom, it`s business as usual. It`s okay to be robbed by modern day corrupt publicly elected officers but nay say never by colonial masters and JLP members.

Good grief!

(Wondering whay could have hit Doc Doom in him haid) </div></div> I have noticed for the lonmgest while that you always persist in calling me by some degrading names. although I have ignoired the statements you still persist.
What is the satisfaction you get from doing so?
Although i've tried to since the first instance,
I can't seem to figure it out. Can't you exercise a bit of decorum/ If we the older and better educated can't discuss without calling each other names, Do we have a right to wonder when some half educated police constable settle his/her greviance with a state issued weapon against unarmed citizens?

[evanovitch]

which witchhunt?

What witch-hunt, Mr Atkinson?

Jamaica-Star.com

Patrick Atkinson, one of the attorneys representing Member of Parliament for North East St. Elizabeth Kern Spencer, got me so very upset Tuesday night when he accused the media of having embarked on a witch-hunt of his client.

He made these statements shortly after police officially laid charges against Spencer and two alleged cohorts, Rodney Chin and Colleen Wright, for their suspected roles in the purported misappropriation of hundreds of millions of dollars during the distribution of 'free' light bulbs Jamaica received from Cuba. This money, mind you, belongs to you and me, and Mr. Atkinson too, since I would assume he pays his taxes.

Mr. Atkinson's statements infuriate me because every time a public official gets in a bind it's almost as if they expect a free pass. The police, too, are guilty of giving the powerful special privileges. Diversionary tactics are employed when they are to be taken off to jail, long forgotten rules are brought into effect at court proceedings and many other legal gimmicks are used to 'protect' them.

But, who protects us? If the accused in this instance was some little man from Tivoli or Arnett or from somewhere like Hanover, would he be afforded the same allowances? I think we all know the answer to that question.

However, let me get back to Mr. Atkinson's unfortunate use of the term 'witch-hunt'. When the whole matter became public it did so on the back of statements made in the Auditor General's report that something was amiss with regard to the distribution of the "free" light bulbs. These statements were similar to ones made by the Contractor General, who recommended that the matter be handed over to the police for investigation. Minister of Energy Clive Mullings also called for an investigation and through it all, the most prominent name, was Kern Spencer. So where exactly is this witch-hunt, Mr. Atkinson?

The way I see it, Mr. Atkinson should consider his client fortunate that he won't be tried in China because if he was found guilty there, this so-called 'witch-hunt' would be the least of his worries.

Deputy party secretary


The New York Times reported on Wednesday that in China a Communist Party official Huang Yuhui, a deputy party secretary of He County in the Southern Guangxi Region, was executed for leading a group of people that obtained US$50,000 from fraud and bribery. Granted, Mr. Spencer is innocent until proven guilty and his guilt has not yet been established in a court of law.

As the world of politics goes, Mr. Spencer is not untouchable. As I remember it, President Bill Clinton, easily the most likeable president the United States has had, perhaps since John Kennedy, was investigated for his role in the White Water Scandal, and for his part in the Monica Lewinsky ordeal and a few other sordid cases. Many consider him lucky that he was not successfully impeached and jailed.

Kern Spencer is also a public official and apparently well liked by the people of his constituency. But he has become embroiled in a major case involving the reported misuse of millions of dollars in public funds. He has been slapped with a laundry list of charges longer than my arm. So Mr. Atkinson, next time choose your words carefully. You're an attorney and presumably, a reputable one, you should know better

In a country where almost 80 cents of every dollar earned goes towards paying and servicing debt, every dollar counts and in my view much of those dollars end up in the pockets of corrupt individuals, corruption is, therefore, a matter for all of us to be concerned about. While Mr. Spencer has not, up to this point, been proven to have committed any acts of corruption, the media, nevertheless, has the responsibility of informing the public about all allegations of corruption especially when tax payers dollars are involved. As I say this let me just add that I do understand that Mr. Atkinson has to put forward a stout and resolute defence of his client - that is what he is being paid to do - but in doing so, he should steer clear of vilifying the media because we did not put Mr. Spencer in this position. He did so all by himself and with the help of a few friends.


Send comments to [email protected]

[neutral]

Re: Every dollar counts

"Whe unu want wid Kern? Ease up offa him nuh," one elderly woman with a bleached out face said to the Observer ..lol

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html...IN_LOCK_UP_.asp

[Q3210]

Re: Every dollar counts

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dr.Dudd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q3210</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So doctor doom, it`s business as usual. It`s okay to be robbed by modern day corrupt publicly elected officers but nay say never by colonial masters and JLP members.

Good grief!

(Wondering whay could have hit Doc Doom in him haid) </div></div> I have noticed for the lonmgest while that you always persist in calling me by some degrading names. although I have ignoired the statements you still persist.
What is the satisfaction you get from doing so?
Although i've tried to since the first instance,
I can't seem to figure it out. Can't you exercise a bit of decorum/ If we the older and better educated can't discuss without calling each other names, Do we have a right to wonder when some half educated police constable settle his/her greviance with a state issued weapon against unarmed citizens? </div></div>

Sorry Dudd, no offense intended. I find some of your posts funny is all, but with due respect, I do think most of yours are most informative, especially the medical input. The doom I tease you with is because you have projected a somewhat hopeless situation regarding our politics, blaming colonial masters for our way of thinking today. Perhaps yes, you do speak truthfully, but blame also lies with the ultra-corrupt 18.5 years of PNP gutter leadership.