Philipsburg:--- The Minister of Tourism Franklyn Meyers has signed a letter which was delivered to the director of the Tourist Office Regina Labega and Edward Dest informing them that they have been suspended with pay and barred from entering the tourist office until further notice.SMN News learnt that the letter to Labega and Dest was hand delivered by the General Secretary of the Minister, Miguel de Weever and government controller Alex Richardson. The source said when the duo approached Labega at her office to serve her with the letter they were both grinning. It is further understood that Labega was shocked with the news, thus became concerned at the way she was informed of her suspension but de Weever it is said demanded that the keys of her office be turned over to him and that she leave immediately.
In an invited comment de Weever confirmed to SMN News that the two staff members were given official notification that they are not allowed to enter the building of the tourist office until further notice.
De Weever did not give details as to what the two are accused of but said they are conducting an investigation into certain irregularities.
SMN News learnt that the department of finance headed by Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto has initiated an investigation against Labega and Dest to see if they are embezzling monies from government. SMN News learnt that each time Labega travels abroad to represent or promote St. Maarten she would receive travelling allowances from government. However, it is alleged that Labega would also charge her travel expenses to the New York tourist office.
SMN News further learnt that Labega is somehow attached to a company that is contracted by the tourist office. That company "Eastern Caribbean Destination Management (ECDM)" it is said belongs to Labega, Fabian Badejoe, and Ericka Fortuno, the former head of the New York Tourist Office. However, the records at the Chamber of Commerce show that the directors of the ECDM are Fabian Badejoe and Erika Fortuno. However, based on the current structure of government it is extremely difficult to see if Labega is a shareholder of the company.
Regina Labega is a civil servant and she has been working at the Tourist Office for the past 18 years, promoting St. Maarten abroad. SMN News also learnt that Regina Labega had applied to government for the position of General Secretary to the Minister of Tourism but that position was not given to her.
When the news broke that Labega has been suspended and evicted from her office; several persons in the community expressed outrage saying that Labega is politically victimized by the current government. Persons in the streets said the attack on Regina Labega today stems from her decision to support the National Alliance during the September 17 elections. SMN News learnt that Labega refused to support the Democratic Party even though her sister Claudette Labega ran on that slate, while she also did not support the United Peoples Party since she still remembers how her sister Christina Labega was treated by the leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger who was and still is in charge of the harbour holding companies. Some persons said Regina Labega practically sacrificed her family life for St. Maarten as she constantly travels abroad to promote the island. Her most recent trip was to Argentina where she attended an annual trade show and to speak with Copa Airlines.
One resident and civil servant who requested to remain anonymous said that this is political victimization something they saw coming. The civil servant said Heyliger and Shigemoto have personal animosity against Labega and this is payback time. The civil servant said the deputy Prime Minister sat for months on the SOAB report that was done at ROB and he Heyliger did nothing that was suggested by the SOAB to Dollison. Instead Heyliger gave Dollison one of the best packages with government perks as he waits on his pensionable age. "Just recently I saw Dollison and the UP number 3 candidate leaving the island together, they were going off island to seal some deal."
In an invited comment Regina Labega who was obviously distraught when contacted said she is shocked, disappointed and most importantly is hurt at the notification given to her. She said only on Thursday she spoke to the Minister of Tourism and he did not give her any indication that this was coming to her. Labega said that she had no indication that there is an investigation and she also does not know what she is accused of. Labega also met with her lawyer shortly after she was evicted from her office on Friday.
So far it is not clear if the Council of Ministers took a decision to suspend Labega or if the decision was taken by the Minister of Tourism Franklin Meyers.
A press release from Minister Meyers states that both head of the Tourist Bureau and the head of the marketing division officially received suspension letters on Friday, November 5, 2010 pertaining to an ongoing investigation into discrepancies found by the Finance Department.
Their suspension has to do with the new procedures now in place for the handling of such matters as of October 10, 2010.
Minister Franklin Meyers emphasizes that the process should be allowed to continue unhindered. The minister makes it clear the steps taken thus far as well as the ongoing process does not mean Labega and Dest are in any way guilty of any wrong doing.
They will both have an opportunity to be heard by the relevant authorities about the discrepancies.
The discrepancies were uncovered by the Finance Department prior to September 2010 and were reported to the then-Finance Commissioner. The process was left to be completed.
In the current country status, in cases like these, the minister has to issue suspension letters so as to not impede an ongoing investigation.
Minister Meyers once again urges the public and press to understand that this is not a finger pointing exercise but a due diligence and legal process based on the principles of good governance and the rule of law.