Simpson Bay--- "I will not resign, I would leave justice take it course" those are the words of Commissioner Louis Laveist at a press conference held at Stomp Law Firm in Simpson Bay yesterday. The commissioner said his statement is based on the premise that every man, woman or child is innocent until proven otherwise.
As an island council member he said he has been duly elected by the people, and for anyone to ask him to resign his position in the island council at this stage of the investigation has not only a rush to judgment, but they have taken the position of the prosecutor's, the judge and jury. "Thus I will not resign as member of the island council, to do so would be self condemnation." Asked if he has taken a decision about his position as a commissioner in the executive council, Laveist said he already made his position clear and he is now discussing with the party.
Laveist said he fully respects the job of the prosecutor's office and he has already declared his innocence. The commissioner said he is determined to fight and defend himself against this investigation. Professing his faith in God; Laveist said with God on his throne he will also be vindicated. The commissioner went on to say that no weapon formed against him shall prosper.
He said even though he remains a duly elected member of the island and executive council his portfolios has already been distributed to the other commissioners and he does not intend to argue about the decision that was taken by his party. Laveist said that at this stage of the investigation his position would have remained the same since he consider every other position a rush to judgment. Furthermore he has no intention to make any premature decision and he is asking everyone to do the same with respect to the ongoing investigation.
The commissioner said he intend to remain open and cooperative with the investigators and the prosecutor's office regarding the ongoing investigation. He said he is not bitter or upset with the judicial system but he is asking that he be treated fairly. Laveist said even though the investigators treated him with uttermost respect he did not feel they had to reach where they did by arresting him and extending his pre-trial detention.
Laveist gave huge credit to his immediate family who were with him as he made his prepared statement to the members of the media. The commissioner also gave credit to God who has sustained him during the ten days in pre-trial detention; something he said could have been dealt with differently since he has openly stated that he was available to the public prosecutor office to answer any question they might have had.
The commissioner said he is presently discussing with the Democratic Party and as such he is not in a position to say if he intends to remain a supporter of the party.
Asked if he felt that he felt he became a target after making certain public statements, Laveist said he would not rush to judgment, but now that he is released from pre-trial detention he is able to add "meat to the bone" and make a sensible decision which is to hold on to his seat in the Island Council.
Asked if he felt his party supported him during his detention, the commissioner said he is a strong man of faith and as far as he is concerned "today for me, tomorrow is for you"." Maybe they have good reasons why they did not extend themselves to my family and show support" Laveist said.
He said when he met with the island and Democratic Party Leader last Tuesday Wescot Williams was to the point in conveying the party's position. He said since he was not in contact with anyone but his lawyer he had no access to information and had to take what was told to him for what it is worth. "Now that I am released and have access to more information and my family I have a completely different prospective on the whole matter." The commissioner said.
Asked if felt he was set up by the members of the democratic party since he had called for the removal of the head of the labor department, Laveist said he has no intention to rush to judgment and he does not want anyone to judge him. He said that at this time he is trying to find out who is behind and what has sparked his arrest.
Stomp on Investigation
Attorney at law Remko Stomp said that so far the commissioner has not been charged with any crime, but there are all sorts of allegations. He said so far the defense which began with Jairo Bloem has a very small file which consists of a few pages. He said he already contacted the Prosecutor' Office in Curacao to request the files on the investigation and he was told that they would receive that file in a couple of weeks when they are ready.
He said so far there are no formal charges and they just have to wait on the process. He also insisted that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Stomp said as a lawyer he intends to fight each and every allegation against the commissioner fiercely. Asked if he is disappointed with the amount of information that was given to defense, knowing that this investigation has been going on for sometime now, Stomp said that he do feel that vital information is being withheld and he would deal with that in the court when the time comes.
Asked if they consider the arrest and investigation is just a fishing expedition. Stomp said that Laveist has made it clear that he was at the disposal of the prosecutor's office yet they find it fit to detain him for ten days which to him is unnecessary, even though there are people they held for a day or two.