SMN News understands that a developer of Cupe Coy via his lawyer submitted proof which suggested that the senior civil servant demanded huge sum of monies for illegal services such as granting him a building permit.
According to well place sources this media house understands the developer in questioned provided a tape with the conversations he had with Richardson as well as letter from his lawyer. SMN News understands that while Richardson was meeting with the island secretary to discuss the reason for his dismissal, the Federal Detectives as well as a judge of instruction was at Richardson's apartment conducting searches. SMN News also understands that the detectives seized a number of government documents as well as a computer as they begin their investigations.
This is the second time the executive council tried to relieve Richardson from his job. The first time the senior civil servant was relieved from his job due to the Indigo Bay affair. He was relieved on September 4 2007 and by September 17 he was back at his desk after he won his court case against the island government. However, this time around he is being investigated for bribery. According to the laws of the land the island government is supposed to at least hear the civil servant prior to taking any such decision. Richardson has seven days on which he can act against the decision taken by the executive council.
SMN News was reliably informed that Richardson met with the developer of Blue Mall at the developer's home on the afternoon of November 22 2008 where they discussed several things including the three exemptions the developer managed to receive for his project (Blue Mall).
One sources said the developer in question approached Richardson early in November saying he managed to acquire a parcel of property in Simpson Bay, the former BBW location where he intended to construct a high end project. This property SMN News understands belongs to a commissioner and Richardson was sought as a high end architect. The source said this was the second meeting Richardson was having with the well known developer about the new project and he was supposed to take a leave of absence from the island government to work on the project if an agreement was reached.
It is understood that developers are not allowed to build more than three stories building in the Cupe Coy area but this particular developer has 10 stories on each of his buildings. SMN News also understands Public Works is now working on an advice to present to the island government where they would allow developers to go as high as seven stories since there are already several developers who have not abided by the law and have constructed their buildings illegally.
Efforts made to contact Commissioner Heyliger on these developments have proven futile up to press time.
Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein confirmed that his office is busy with an investigation against Richardson. Stein said so far the civil servant is not arrested but he has not ruled out if that would happen in the near future.
Stein also confirmed they conducted a house search and certain items were indeed seized.
