Social activist Wendell Eversley says Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard has assured him that the public will see action in the long-running LifeSport matter before the end of 2026.
In a social media video posted after a meeting with Gaspard yesterday, Eversley said the discussion lasted from 4 pm to 5.30 pm and focused on several high-profile matters in the public domain.
Eversley said he had written to the DPP seeking information on a number of issues and described the meeting as successful.
While he said much of the discussion remained confidential, he shared details of answers Gaspard authorised him to disclose publicly.
The criminal probe into the controversial LifeSport programme centres on the alleged misappropriation and fraudulent diversion of approximately $440 million in state funds.
Launched in 2012 as a programme aimed at engaging at-risk youth, LifeSport later became the subject of extensive white-collar crime investigations involving allegations of fraud, kickbacks, procurement breaches and financial misconduct.
Investigators have examined claims that public officials and contractors bypassed established procurement procedures, resulting in payments for goods and services that may never have been delivered.
Authorities have also investigated allegations that funds were diverted for personal enrichment, including the purchase of luxury assets such as real estate, boats, luxury vehicles and weddings.
The matter has involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Fraud Squad, the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau and the Financial Intelligence Bureau. The High Court has also issued production orders for financial records linked to numerous individuals and companies connected to the programme.
According to Eversley, he asked five questions concerning the status of the LifeSport investigation.
On whether investigative files relating to the matter had been received by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eversley said Gaspard’s answer was no.
Asked whether the matter remained under active legal review, Eversley said the DPP answered yes.
Eversley also said Gaspard confirmed that requests for further evidence, investigative steps or clarification had been issued to investigators.
When asked whether any prosecutorial determination had been made in relation to any aspect of the investigation, Eversley said the DPP’s response was no.
On whether the public could reasonably expect a formal update in the foreseeable future, Eversley said Gaspard answered in the affirmative.
Eversley said the DPP also revealed that he had met approximately 20 times over the past several months with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and King’s Counsel in relation to the matter.
“He gave me the assurance that I will see action before 2026 end. He didn’t tell me what action but he said the public will see action,” Eversley said.
Eversley also raised questions about the Estate Management and Business Development Company Ltd (EMBD) matter.
The EMBD investigation centres on allegations of a $549 million cartel and bid-rigging scheme involving infrastructure contracts awarded in the lead-up to the 2015 general election.
Investigators allege that former state officials and contractors conspired to secure and spend hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds through anti-competitive practices and irregular procurement processes.
The matter has been the subject of both civil and criminal proceedings, with authorities examining the award and execution of numerous contracts linked to EMBD.
Eversley said Gaspard told him a criminal investigation involving EMBD was ongoing and distinguished that process from a separate civil matter.
According to Eversley, the DPP advised him to direct questions regarding the status of the investigation to Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro.
