BUSINESS AS USUAL

File photo: Pamela Elder SC and her client Anand Ramlogan leaving POS Magistrate court on Monday, May 6, 2019. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB
File photo: Pamela Elder SC and her client Anand Ramlogan leaving POS Magistrate court on Monday, May 6, 2019. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB

IT WILL be business as usual for former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, who has been jointly charged with UNC Senator Gerald Ramdeen in connection with an alleged conspiracy to financially reward themselves with fees from legal briefs from the State.

Yesterday, Ramlogan and Ramdeen made their first court appearance on three charges that they conspired with Jamaican-born Queen’s Counsel Vincent Nelson to misbehave in public office, conspiracy to engage in money laundering and conspiracy to bribe on diverse dates from October 1, 2010 to September 9, 2015.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Ramlogan said he is eager to appear in court. “At the end of the day the truth will emerge and I anxiously await my time and date in court,” he told reporters.

While declining to comment on the charges against him, Ramlogan said he intends to live his life as normal and will be returning to his private practice, representing his clients, by today. “It is business as usual. No weapon formed against me shall prosper,” a smiling Ramlogan added.

ANXIOUS TO START

His attorney, Pamela Elder, SC, told reporters the defence was anxious to cross-examine Nelson. She said having heard he was not in the best of health, they wanted the case started quickly so he can be cross-examined on the allegations he made.

Last Thursday, Nelson’s attorney Tom Allen, QC, said though in remission for prostate cancer, Nelson is still being treated by doctors in the US, where he recently had surgery, and in the UK, where he lives.

Nelson has been charged with similar offences and has agreed a plea deal with the prosecution, in exchange for his testimony against Ramlogan and Ramdeen. He is expected to plead guilty when his matter is called in the High Court, later this month or early next month.

After the hearing, Elder told reporters, “I hope he gets the best of medical treatment and keeps in good health and does not go to the hereafter before we get an opportunity to cross-examine him with respect to the allegations he has made against senior members of the Bar.

“I have every confidence that the honourable director (DPP) will make all necessary disclosures and ensure the matter is dealt with expeditiously.”

Ramdeen did not speak to the media as he and his legal team, which includes Wayne Sturge, Mario Merritt, Karunaa Bisramsingh and Alexia Romero, left the courthouse through the northern entrance on St Vincent Street.

Theirs were the second case to be called, as the information filed by police had not yet been brought to Chief Magistrate Maria Busby Earle-Caddle. Instead, she had to use a copy she got from DPP Roger Gaspard, SC, and shortly before 9.30 am, the men entered the prisoners’ dock in the courtroom.

THE CHARGES

* They conspired with Nelson to receive, conceal and transfer criminal property, with financial rewards given to Ramlogan by Nelson, for the said Nelson being instructed as advocate in various matters in which the State was interested or which the State was a client.

* They conspired with Nelson to corruptly receive financial rewards from the said Nelson, being instructed as advocate in various matters in which the State was interested or in which the State was a client.

* They conspired with Nelson that the said Ramlogan misbehaved in public office by accepting rewards from Nelson, for the said Nelson being instructed as advocate in various matters in which the State was interested or in which the State was a client.

ELDER’S QUESTIONS

After the charges were read out, Elder questioned the wording of the misbehaviour charge and asked if the DPP was considering amending it so the issue would not have to be dealt with at a later stage with preliminary objections.

She also raised Nelson’s health, asking for the case to start expeditiously and for all disclosable material relating to him as quickly as possible.

Gaspard, in response, said the State also wanted an early start to the case and assured that his office will comply fully with its disclosure obligations, adding that he will take into consideration Elder’s point on the wording of the misbehaviour charge.

The DPP also indicated there were approximately ten to 12 witnesses and their statements could be filed by June 10. The defence was given until June 24 to file evidential objections. Ramlogan and Ramdeen are to return to court on June 28.

A senior legal source explained that a charge of conspiracy is a common-law offence and relates to a plan to commit a crime, the penalty for which was at large, but starts at a 15-year jail term on indictment for money laundering, upon conviction. It also includes a million-dollar fine and seizure of assets.

There was no variance order given yesterday to the $1.2m and $1.5m bail set by a Justice of the Peace last Friday to Ramlogan and Ramdeen, respectively, after they were charged at the Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau offices.

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"BUSINESS AS USUAL"

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