Ramlogan: Enough to charge Hart with perjury

 There is sufficient evidence to charge former Udecott head Calder Hart with perjury, according to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. However, Ramlogan, who made that statement in the Senate yesterday, said he could not charge Hart and he respected the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) opinion on the issue. Ramlogan brought up the name of the former controversial Udecott head—most recently reported in Miami—during debate on a motion regarding a Joint Select Committee to consider the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He said the bill would help prevent another commission of enquiry, such as last year’s probe into Udecott and the construction sector. He added that the bill would prevent a “reincarnation” of “ghosts” (sic), such as Hart and late PNMite John O’Halloran, and it also would cause “anxiety and anguish” within the PNM. Saying there was sufficient to charge Hart with perjury, Ramlogan asked rhetorically if he could “vex” with the DPP if the latter disagreed with him with respect to whether a perjury charge could be laid against Hart.

“I cannot...” Ramlogan said

“I respect his (DPP’s) opinion, I do not wish to go down the road of my predecessor whereby there could have been a coup against the judiciary since the former attorney general was holding secret meetings with the chief magistrate and the DPP,” Ramlogan added. PNM senators objected on that count and also on Ramlogan’s speaking about the Hart issue. However, Ramlogan said there was nothing before the court. He said Hart had testified he had not given any benefit or contract to any family members. Ramlogan said subsequent documentation from Malaysia established a familial link between Hart and his brother-in-law whose company got “hundreds of millions of dollars worth of work.” (sic) He said the population was frustrated that he, as AG, was not charging Hart. (GA)