Six years after $60M fraud, Jupiter breaks his silence

File photo:  Andrew Jupiter, centre, speaking to reporters. PHOTO BY LINCOLN HOLDER.
File photo: Andrew Jupiter, centre, speaking to reporters. PHOTO BY LINCOLN HOLDER.

YVONNE WEBB

Former spermanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy Andrew Jupiter has broken his silence on a $60 million wire transfer fraud which was committed in 2011, when he was president of the National Energy Corporation (NEC). The fraud was perpetrated through NEC’s account at the First Citizens Bank and the money sent to Boston, Antigua and Dubai.

Jupiter has now confirmed audited reports and findings that his signature was forged. He told members of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International in San Fernando on Tuesday night that his faith in God was what cleared him of this scam, which threatened to sully his unblemished record of service in the public service for over four decades.

He recalled “good men” told him, “You like to play Mr Clean, let us see you get out of this one.” But, he said, God was able to get him through and have a portion of the money returned.

In 2015, Dr Keith Rowley, who was then opposition leader, said 58 per cent of the money had been recovered from banks in Boston and Antigua, but the 42 per cent balance, which was held by the National Bank of Abu Dhabi, was still outstanding.

Messages were sent and calls made to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, who has pledged to “follow the money” for an update. He answered once and asked to call back in 20 minutes, but subsequent calls went unanswered.

The feature speaker at the Business Men’s Christmas Dinner, held at Achievers Banquet Hall, Jupiter said he gave his life to Christ 50 years ago and this is what has guided all of the “assignments” given to him since 1971, under every successive prime minister.

He said it is this faith which also taught him when it is appropriate to speak out and when to shut up.

Jupiter, who resigned in July as chairman of state-owned energy company Petrotrin, also told the audience, which included Opposition MP Fazal Karim, “Not a person could point a finger at me and say that I have ever asked for any bribe at any point in time.

“I have the highest respect for politicians, but I have never asked politicians for one thing.”

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