Cole Bay:--- Visibly emotional and hurt about his legal battle Island Councilman Louie Laveist told reporters that he submitted his letter of resignation yesterday. The letter was written to the chairman of the island and executive council Franklyn Richards. Laveist said he indicated to reporters from the very beginning that he would have done the honorable thing when there is verdict in his criminal case. "Now that the verdict is in and it is sure not in my favor I have decided to resign from the executive council". Laveist said at a press conference held at Stomp law firm yesterday.
The embattled island councilman outlined eight scenarios on which politicians must trend. He made clear he represents a faction in the island council and that he can throw his support either way. Laveist also acknowledged that he is still in discussions with the leader of the Democratic Party. Asked why he is continuing to give the DP his support when it is clear they are not in support of him during his ordeal. Laveist said he was not willing to answer that question yet since the discussions are still ongoing.
Even though he resigned from the executive council Laveist said he did not pull his support from the present government. He said that he felt he was duly elected by the people and he would not give up his island council seat. "I am one of three people who were on the DP list that elected myself by pulling the necessary votes. Those three persons on the DP slate are its leader Wescot Williams, Theo Heyliger and yours truly Louie Laveist".
In outlining the eight scenarios he said that the two main parties can form a purple coalition or even form a national government without his support or endorsement. He said should he decide to make political changes he would not be holding any office as he referred to the harsh penalty that was meted out against him in the court of instance. He called on the community to allow him due process as they would to every citizen of the island.
Asked if he is busy discussing the sale of his island council seat to the Democratic Party as is rumored Laveist said the question reminded him of why the prosecution began their investigation against him. He said even though he had no intention of discussing the criminal case he said that the prosecution said they had valid information which stated he had millions in offshore accounts in Nevis, Anguilla and the Bahamas. This is what the prosecution said and they looked and to date they cannot produce proof.
Laveist said the prosecution claimed he got these monies from selling work and residency permits. Furthermore they claimed that when illegal were arrested he was one of the persons who would take monies to get these persons released. "I want you know some persons on the island reported to the governor, prosecutor and the minister of justice that I was heavily involved in selling working and residency permits. These persons said that I was gaining millions of dollars from this illegal practice." In answering the question Laveist said selling his seat would be considered as bribery in the judicial system and he is not involved in such activity.
Asked if he was willing to burst the so-called bombshell he promised to let go Laveist said he was advised by his attorney that he should not say anything more for now and he has decided to take the advise of his legal team since he has to be cautious. He said for now that information will remain with his legal team until its appropriate for the public to know.
Asked if he was willing to point out who is the reporter he mentioned is involved in his political demise. Laveist said he is certain that everyone in the media knows who that person is and they were among the reporters present for the press conference.
Speaking about his future Laveist said the judge has basically left him jobless and he has lost his 25-years in the civil service. "They basically left me out there to dry, let us not talk about the people that depend on me as a person but let us focus on me, how do I eat" he asked. "Quite frankly I have been stripped and left jobless, I was born here and live and made his living on St. Maarten all his life and I would like to know where I should go to seek employment. I am asking myself if I should go out there and steal because that is the only thing I see left for me to do." Laveist said. However, he promised that would not happen because he was taught not to steal or envy anyone.
Laveist said he has maintained his innocence and he has no bag of monies stacked away in his mattress. He said he has never taken monies from anyone but the court of first instance has stripped him of his dignity as he read out the sentence meted out against him.
