LifeSport deputy director of Physical Education and Sport Ruth Marchan is still on the Sport Ministry's payroll and the Ministry is "working out that officer's engagement," says Sport Minister Rupert Griffith.He was replying to questions from Opposition Leader Keith Rowley in Parliament yesterday.
Marchan has been at a "safe house" in "protective custody" since June 2014 after the Life Sport controversy broke. Her bodyguard, Curtis "Tallman" Gibson, was killed around that time, prior to suspension and eventual closing of the programme, now under a police probe.The programme was shut down in July last year by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in the face of mounting allegations of fraud, corruption and funds being used to finance criminal gangs.
Marchan has been active on social media last week making allegations against government officials.Yesterday, Griffith said the Ministry's Human Resources Division is working out her engagement. He could not say if leave was granted to her.
Replying to PNM MP Terrence Deyalsingh's questions on another aspect of LifeSport, Persad-Bissessar said a legal opinion was being sought from senior counsel on how government could recover the $34 million which was paid to one LifeSport contractor – and no work was done – and sums also paid to Alls North General Contractors in the programme.Replying to PNM MP Amery Browne's query, she said the Cabinet's size was not being reduced in cost-cutting efforts.