…name him,Lester Bird as ‘persons of interest’
ST JOHN’S, Antigua  ( Jamaica Gleaner/CMC )– Police have named three prominent members of the former Antigua and Barbuda government as “persons of interest” in their ongoing investigations into a multi-million dollar Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited (IHI) fraud case. The police said that the investigations are “progressing at a steady pace notwithstanding the recent break in and theft of sensitive documents” from the High Court building here, “that housed the detectives who are working on the said case”.
In the statement, the police said that based on the contents of a report that was done by financial forensic investigator Robert Lindquist, and corroborated by preliminary police enquiries, the “persons of interest” in the case include former Prime Minister Lester Bird, former Junior Minister of Finance/parliamentarian Asot Michael, and former diplomat Sir Ronald Sanders.
It said the police are making “a specific public appeal to Sir Ronald Sanders and request that he presents himself to the detectives to be interviewed, hence, his full co-operation for the duration of this criminal enquiry will be appreciated”.
The police statement, which is also posted on the official Antigua and Barbuda government website, said that “all efforts to privately contact Sir Ronald Sanders have proven futile” and urged him to get in contact with law enforcement officials here either by phone or by email “as soon as possible”.
The statement on the website headlined `Police Statement On IHI Fraud Case’ reads as follows:
“Criminal Investigations into the multi-million dollar (IHI) fraud case are progressing at a steady pace; notwithstanding the recent break in and theft of sensitive documents, at the office that housed the detectives who are working on the said case.
“Based on the contents of a report, that was done by Financial Forensic Investigator Mr. Robert Lindquist, which was corroborated by preliminary police enquiries, the “persons of interest” in this case are, former Prime Minister, and member of parliament, Mr. Lester Bird, Member of Parliament, Mr. Asot Michael, Patrick. A. Michael & co. ltd. Mrs. Gesel Michael, Sir Ronald (Sanders) (a former Antigua and Barbuda Government Ambassador to the United Kingdom) and others.
“Currently, most of the “significant persons” or “individuals of interest,” have already assisted the investigations and presented themselves to the police to be interviewed, against such a back drop and in the police’s quest, to advance this gigantic multi-million dollar criminal conspiracy. The police are making a specific public appeal to Sir Ronald (Sanders) and request that he presents himself to the (IHI) detectives to be interviewed; hence his full co-operation for the duration of this criminal enquiry will be appreciated.
“All efforts to privately contact Sir Ronald (Sanders), have proven futile. Therefore Sir Ronald (Sanders), is being asked to urgently get in touch with commissioner of police Mr. Vere Browne, at 268-764-6323 or by email, (cop@ab.gov.ag). Additionally, he can contact Detective Superintendent Mr. Nuffield Burnette, at 268-764-2285 as soon as possible. Additionally, any member of the public who may know how the police can contact Sir Ronald (Sanders), are kindly ask to get in touch with the criminal investigation department, at 462-3913 or 462-3914.”
The Jamiaca Gleaner/ Caribbean 360 News report recalled that last year, the Baldwin Spencer government quashed a Commission of Enquiry into the IHI matter and Bird has filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Spencer for alleged defamatory statements made about him during the 2009 election campaign.
The Crusader Publications is also party to the suit after it aired the comments.