Contractor takes up judgment against journalist

A local contractor has received judgement against a journalist and a media conglomerate for an investigative news report, which was aired on CCN TV6 in a two-part series in September, titled 'The Money Chase.'

Motilal Ramhit and Sons received judgment in default against journalist Mark Bassant who failed to put in an appearance although being served with the lawsuit on January 7.

Bassant is named as the fourth defendant in the lawsuit for libel and defamation; the first is TV6's parent company, Caribbean Communications Network, the Express Newspaper is the second defendant and the third is editor-in-chief Omatie Lyder.

It is alleged by the contractor that the investigative series dealt with the alleged subpoena of bank records of local contractors in the US by the Attorney General.

The lawsuit claims that video images of high-rise apartments owned by Roopchand Ramhit, who is the second-named claimant in the lawsuit, at Diplomatic Oceanfront, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, were used in the series.

The lawsuit was filed in December by attorney Ariel Moonsie, instructing attorney Prakash Deonarine, and the contractor is seeking compensation for defamation, alleging that the company's principals were not contacted for comment based on statements made by government ministers on alleged bid-rigging allegations.

The contractor's attorneys yesterday filed an application for judgment in default of appearance against the journalist as the time for doing so had expired.

It was granted by the court's assistant registrar and deputy marshal, Russell Seebaran. According to the order, Bassant is to pay a sum of money to be decided by the court, together with interest and costs.