Almost a year after a leaked controversial recording of a conversation between Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and another Tobago House of Assembly (THA) official, Augustine remains firm in his belief that he and his team will be exonerated.
The recording, one minute and fifteen seconds long, was leaked and shared online last May 2023. In it, the two officials were purportedly heard plotting to use THA funds to hire individuals to promote political propaganda.
Almost a month after the leak, Augustine admitted in a pre-recorded briefing in June that he was in the recording and that they were discussing a strategy that was never implemented. He also said the recording was part of an attempt to extort monies from his executive by a known Tobago contractor.
Within a week after the recording surfaced, officers from the Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau and Fraud Squad travelled to Tobago to investigate the matter, and the Integrity Commission launched an official probe as well.
Almost a year later, Augustine said, “I am certain that history and justice will eventually absolve me and my team.”
In December, the police said they were “redefining parameters” in their investigation and the case had not gone cold.
Attempts to get updates from the Police Complaints Authority, TTPS and Integrity Commission on the status of their probes were unsuccessful yesterday.
Augustine also accused Progressive Democratic Patriots political leader Watson Duke of leaking the recording. However, Duke said he was not involved in discussions to exploit public funds nor was he at the meeting when the plot was being discussed.
In July, police searched the homes of a retired THA official, Deputy Chief Secretary Faith B Yisrael and the Chief Secretary in connection with the probe.
At that time, former head of public service Reginald Dumas, who died last month, described the plans discussed in the recording as a corrupt act and a violation of the law.
The political leader of the PNM Tobago Council Ancil Dennis and minority leader Kelvon Morris called on the persons involved in the matter to resign.
The status of the investigation remains unknown as there have been no updates from Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Curt Simon.