TT: More UNC ministers with money troubles

THE OPPOSITION UNC had nothing to say yesterday about a summons being served against former UNC Energy Minister Finbar Gangar for allegedly breaching the Integrity in Public Life Act. UNC chairman Wade Mark said while he was aware of the situation involving the former Minister, he had no desire to comment since “the matter is before the courts” and he did not want to prejudice it in any way. Numerous attempts to reach Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday and Opposition Chief Whip Ganga Singh for comment were unsuccessful. 

In recent times, Panday has claimed that charges being laid against persons associated with the UNC were “a red herring” to distract the population from alleged rampant corruption occurring under the ruling PNM. Gangar was served the summons at his Philippines, South Trinidad, home on Friday night and is due to appear in court on June 21. He is to be charged with two counts of filing a false declaration in failing to declare two bank accounts at two offshore British banks — in Jersey and Guernsey, English Channel islands which are reputed to be tax haven where bank secrecy laws allow clients to escape disclosure. Sources said the accounts held substantial sums amounting to millions of dollars.