Philipsburg: --- In the next two weeks Commissioner Louis Laviest has to appear in the Court of First Instance to answer charges of bribery, fraud and forgery. The Commissioner received his summons last week. Ever since Laveist arrest in October last year his party leader Sarah Wescot Williams said she had personally requested from the commissioner his resignation. The island leader had said she was confident that Laveist was going to do the right thing. However, nine days later when the commissioner was released he placed the government in shambles when he said he was no longer supporting the Democratic Party and he was going Independent all because the executive council decided to take away Laveist portfolios leaving him with nothing to do.
In an interview with SMN News Unionist and Democratic Party supporter Willy Haize said he is standing 100% behind Laveist with his decision not to resign. Haize said that the Commissioner is willing to work and he should be given his portfolios back since he was elected by the people of St. Maarten and not appointed by a selected few. Haize said if the Island Council which is the highest body does not have confidence in Laveist then they should be the ones to remove him. He said the efforts made by the National Alliance were from ill fate since this party tried to form a government with Laveist but failed.
The Unionist said Laveist is innocent until proven guilty and he should be treated fairly. He said the Democratic Party to which he supports had treated Laveist badly and they would have to try and make their wrongs right since he personally told Laveist not to buckle to any pressure and resign.
