Philipsburg: --- Attorney at law Ralph Richardson who is currently representing Island Councilman Louis Laviest has requested a postponement in the Court of Appeals on Thursday.
The case was scheduled to call at 10:30 am, which did not happen. Richardson said the case was supposed to be heard at 3pm but somehow on the docket it said 10:30 am. Richardson said his client is currently off island receiving medical treatment and as such, he asked the appeal courts to postpone the case until his client returns to St. Maarten.
Laviest was convicted on April 28 on all counts as charged. The court found proven that Laveist had forged the minutes of the Culture Club Foundation to defraud AMFO of Naf. 22.750. It also found proven that Laveist and his executive assistant Roberto Richardson accepted a bribe from BEMAL NV in the form of two plane tickets to Canada and $10, 000 as he had intended to use his influence as a commissioner to grant the company the contract to furnish the new government administration building.
Also found proven is Laviest accepted $6,000 from Bargains Unlimited to his foundation Culture Club, the judge found that Laveist again used his influence as the commissioner of labor who was responsible for the granting of working permits used his influence to grant the businessman a working permit while there was a moratorium in place. Laviest was also found guilty as an accomplice for a hiring Samuel Boney (Sammy) the barber to work illegally in a barbershop belonging to his sister.
He was condemned to serve 18 months in prison, nine of which are conditional; less time spent behind bars during his pre-trial detention. Laveist must pay a fine of Naf.5, 000 or spend 55 days behind bars, with three years probation. The judge also banned Laviest from holding any position in the civil core or any public office even if elected or appointed for the next five years.
Laveist first appeared in court on April 8 and was represented by attorney at law Remko Stomp.
The judge also ruled that the suspect did not give the impression that he cared about conflict of interest. It must be concluded that the suspect did not behave himself as a commissioner in a transparent nor with integrity. Judge also felt that Laveist had misused the power granted to him for personal gain, which made him guilty of corruption.
Attorney Richardson said the appeal court did not set a new date for the trial on Thursday.
