SMN News contacted Minister Meyers on Sunday for further information on the investigation taking place at the tourist office and Meyers said that he will not make anymore statements until the process is completed.
The Minister said this is not a situation he created but it is one he met when he entered office and one he has to deal with. "Obama did not start the Iraq war but as the sitting President of the United States he has to deal with it. My press release clearly states that this investigation began before the September and it was reported to the finance commissioner" Meyers said the media would simply have to wait until the process is completed before he makes anymore statements.
However, SMN News learnt that the finance department did uncover some discrepancies during the month of September and they promised to further investigate the matter and present a report to the former commissioner of finance and the executive council but that was not done prior to October 10 2010. The source said based on the discrepancies that were uncovered regarding the Tourist Office, the National Alliance executive council did not appoint Labega as General Secretary.
SMN News learnt that some of the discrepancies found are the amount of monies St. Maarten has to pay for its booths during the Caribbean seminars around the world. Reliable information states that other islands pay $20,000.00 for their booths while St. Maarten's government is charged $30,000.00 which is what created the discrepancy. Furthermore an explanation has to be given to the relevant authorities why the New York Tourist Office also has to pay travelling expenses for Regina Labega and Edward Dest while government gives them those allowances each time they travel. Another concern is that the representatives of the Tourist Office normally don't pay for their hotel stays and other expenses because on most occasions the visiting countries would provide accommodations as complimentary.
SMN News also learnt that the investigation which is headed by Bas Roorda still has to go to law enforcement. SMN News further learnt that government has installed a committee to investigate the discrepancies. Further meetings it is understood has to be held and a final decision still has to be taken as to how government will proceed with the investigation.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud said up to late Friday afternoon his office was not informed that government had filed an official report against the individuals are were suspended. Mud said even though the federal detectives (Lands Recherches) are the ones that investigate civil servants and elected officials the prosecutor's office is always notified.
Sources say if Labega and Dest can give proper explanation on the discrepancies then they will soon return to work, but if proper explanation is not given then Regina Labega and Edward Dest would someday have to answer to law enforcement.
In the meantime, Senator Louie Laveist has sent a letter to the chair lady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell informing her that he is requesting a closed door meeting of Parliament where the Minister of Tourism Franklin Meyers and his general secretary Miguel de Weever must attend to give the members of parliament more information on the suspension of two top ranking civil servants. Laveist said the two persons that were suspended are not politicians and as such he wants to make sure that there is no semblance to a witch hunt when it comes to civil servants. Senator Laveist said it is not good enough for government to dismiss or suspend civil servants with such vague explanation to the people while parliament the highest body in country St. Maarten was not informed. He said parliament has to make sure proper procedures are followed in accordance with the law. The senator said he felt this is a step in the wrong direction especially knowing that the two civil servants are high ranking. While the Minister might have solid and good reason to take the steps he took, he also has an obligation to inform the highest legislative body on these investigations Laveist said.