Education Minister Dr. Robert Lewis.
As investigations into the alleged human trafficking case continue, the group of stranded foreigners is now accusing the Government of Saint Lucia of trying to cover their tracks.
St. Lucia News Online (SNO) understands that the foreigners have now provided the police with a document to show that Minister of Education Dr. Robert Lewis allegedly gave approval for the Academy to operate.
The alleged permit bears the minister’s signature and was issued to the Lambirds Academy on Sept. 8, 2014. It also carries an expiry date.
The document states that the Academy is granted permission to offer courses in: tourism and hospitality management, cruise management, care giving and general housekeeping, among others.
The group of Asians have also provided the police with copies of three other licences, which were sent to them by the Academy.
These include: a trade licence issued in the name of the academy which bears the signature of the Secretary of the Trade and License Advisory Board, a document from the Saint Lucia Public Health Board, registering the institution and permitting it to operate a Culinary Arts Academy and a certificate of incorporation, bearing a seal.
The group of foreigners – from Nepal and The Phillipines – claimed that they paid at least US$9,000 each to an agent from their region to secure a place at Lambirds Academy in Gros Islet, St. Lucia.
At the Academy, the prospective students were to be trained in hospitality management and promised employment in the United States of America after completing the one-year programme.
Four men have been arrested and charged with human trafficking in connection with the alleged internet scam at Lambirds Academy that left the group of foreigners stranded in St. Lucia.
The foreigners have said that besides the documents that they provided to the police, each one of them were issued legitimate visas. These visas were allegedly sent directly to the agents, from Immigration.
They are worried that they might not be able to get a refund from Lambirds Academy.
Minister Lewis is currently off island and could not be reached for a comment.