Minister Emma Hippolyte. Photo credit: www.kreolmagazine.com
Minister for Commerce, Business Development, Investment and Consumer Affairs Emma Hippolyte has confirmed reports that her office was searched by police for a second time on Thursday, July 23.
Hippolyte however did not state the reason behind the police conducting further searches at her office.
The commerce minister would not say more, other than: “I don’t want to speculate…I can’t say what is the reason for the search, but yes, they were at my office on Thursday.”
According to reports, the police had threatened to break down the minister’s door on March 24, 2015 after being refused entry into the minister’s office, while she was at parliament.
Hippolyte later told a Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) public meeting that police went ahead with searches at her office and Invest Saint Lucia office, as part of investigations into the Lambirds Academy scam.
It was reported that two employees of both offices were questioned and made sworn statements to the police. These same employees were expected to appear in court.
Hippolyte had said her ministry is cooperating fully with the police on this matter. This message was also conveyed to Minister of National Security Victor La Cobiniere and the Commissioner of Police.
The minister later offered a more comprehensive explanation on the issue to the National Assembly.
The trial for those charged in connection with the Lambirds Academy affair begins July 29 at the Castries Court.
That trial will look at the forgery charges, while the money laundering trial is set to begin on August 12 at the Gros Islet Court.
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