PHILIPSBURG/PARIS--- While attorney at law Remko Stomp advised his client Commissioner Louis Laveist to remain silent and not take off his gloves as he has promised to do last Sunday the prosecutor's office is moving forward. Laveist was served with a summons yesterday to appear in Court of Instance on February 11 2009. Laveist has been charged with forgery, fraud and bribery confirmed Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein.The Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands said the commissioner committed these acts in relation to working permits and other documents. He declined further information on the charges, saying that these things need to be discussed in court, not in the news.
Laveist said he would not appear on Lloyd Richardson show on Sunday based on legal advice but hoped to do so in the future. He said the Prosecutor's Office is the ones with the "co-honest" to bring their charges against him while his duty is to clear his name.
Stein said the police was given the summons on Monday to deliver to the commissioner.
Laveist was arrested on October 22 2008. The commissioner spent some 9 days behind bars for questioning by the federal detectives. His home and office was searched two days before he was arrested where several documents including his computers was seized. While in pre-trial detention Laveist appeared before the judge of Instruction and had to be taken to the emergency room when his blood pressure went up.
The federal detectives were on to Laveist for some 18 months. Also arrested the same day was the commissioner executive assistant Roberto Richardson.
Ever since the arrest Laveist has been having problems in his political career as both party leader and the Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards has called upon the commissioner to resign from the executive council.
Due to the political turmoil the DP led government lost power for a few days when Laveist presented the chairman of the island council with a letter stating he was no longer be supporting the DP led government and he declared himself an Independent member of the Island Council. Days after Laveist signed a letter with the other five members of the Democratic Party saying he would supports that government, even though he was involved in intense discussions with the National Alliance.
The legal problems surrounding Laveist has left the island with a lame government since Laveist does not show up to all Island Council or Central Committee meetings. Just last week the Island Council meeting with the First Chamber had to be cancelled due to Laveist absence.