Philipsburg: --- Former VROM Head Delano Richardson was held by the federal detectives on Wednesday afternoon after he was asked to visit the offices of the detectives who are now on island. Richardson was held until late Thursday afternoon then he was released. Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed that Richardson was held for questioning and was subsequently released.
SMN News also understands that the interrogation of Richardson is continuing. It is understood that Richardson will be questioned again on Saturday at the Prosecutors Office.
Sources close to the investigation said the detectives also questioned Head of ROB Joseph Dollison and his subordinate Claudius Buncamper as witnesses in the so-called extortion case against the former VROM head.
The developer of Blue Mall Luis Goia, submitted a tape conversation to Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards. According to the developer Richardson demanded money from Gioa in exchange for a building permit. Members of the Federal Detectives immediately searched Richardson’s home and confiscated a number of items.
Delano Richardson has a court case against the island government whom he said illegally fired him from his job on December 18 2009. The judge in its first hearing had ordered the island government and Richardson to come to some kind of agreement since Richardson was not heard in the so-called extortion case.
The judge had given the two parties two weeks to come to a solution. Surprisingly the island government (executive council) did not follow the advice of the judge instead they called Luis Gioa as a witness in the hearing. The judge allowed Gioa to testify, the verdict is expected on July 16th.
In the meantime, since the firing of Delano Richardson the SOAB has been conducting an investigation into the day to day management of ROB and the issuance of building permits. In its preliminary report to the executive council the SOAB cited that there are a number of irregularities taking place at ROB/VROM. They went as far as suggesting that the executive council hire a new interim manager to regulate the management of ROB.
The SOAB in their report said the procedures for the requesting and granting of these permits were constantly being tampered with depending on the applicants.
