Police end Cambridge Analytica, A&V Drilling investigations

CoP Gary Griffith - ANGELO_MARCELLE
CoP Gary Griffith - ANGELO_MARCELLE

TWO HIGH-PROFILE CASES engaging the attention of the police are now closed, pending further information.

This was announced by heads of departments DCP Jayson Forde and acting Supt Wendell Lucas of the Financial Investigations Branch on Wednesday at the weekly police press briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.

Lucas updated the media on an investigation into accusations by MP for Oropouche East Dr Roodal Moonilal that the Prime Minister benefited from a financial transaction connected to A&V Drilling in Florida, He said the police sought the assistance of stakeholders in the Financial Intelligence Unit as well as foreign investigation units, but could not find evidence to prove the claim.

“On our last meeting with the FIU, we were advised that there were no identifiable transactions relative to the account of subject one, from the account of subject two, for the period that was examined,” Lucas said.

The period examined was June 2017-October 2018.

“Having gathered that there is no connection between the two parties, we spoke to the commissioner, and he is of the view that pending any further or new information...that this matter should be closed.”

Forde said he took the lead in the investigation into the Cambridge Analytica case, in which author Christopher Wylie had written in his book MindF--k: Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America that he had accessed information on TT with the intention of interfering with the electoral process at the 2015 general election.

“As such several attempts were made to approach several people and organisations who could have helped us with the investigation, but they had no responses from these people. In light of that we can say that we are stumped.”

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said while the police do not have an obligation to give a final report on these investigation, they would do what is required to resolve all high-profile cases.

“We have seen that most of these investigations are usually political, which means at times about half the country may not be pleased with the results.

"But as I said, we are not here to please anyone. And if you don’t like the results, well, that’s your problem.” Griffith said.

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