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Debt collector accuses City treasurer of bribery
…says he has witnesses to prove his contention
Leon Phillips, who is a debt collector, is contending that he was wrongfully assaulted by ranks of the City Constabulary, when he was escorted out of the Municipal compound on Wednesday, last.
At the time he was attempting to retrieve outstanding money from the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
According to Phillips, he was seeking permission to speak with City Treasurer, Andrew Meredith, when he was thrown out.
He said that in March, RRT Enterprise sold a hauler and low bed trailer to M&CC for $10M.
Phillips stated that the first payment of $6 million was made by M&CC on March 16. He then claimed that the treasurer had him “running around” to pay the remainder of the money.
Leon Phillips
He said that he was paid a further $2M on April 23.
“I tell Meredith, that I was going to the Minister of Local Government to lodge a complaint, because of the delay of payments. Meredith begged me not to go; eventually he (Meredith) made a payment of $1M on October 12,” said Phillips.
Phillips is contending that “Mr. Patterson” from M&CC called him and told him that Meredith was requesting $100,000 before he can sign the cheque for the outstanding balance.
“I was shocked. I became frustrated, so I went to see Minister Lall, but he was not in office,” said Phillips.
Phillips is contending that Meredith called him on Thursday, last and asked him to meet with him at his office to collect the money. He said that he gave Meredith $80,000 and that the City Treasurer wrote a cheque for the outstanding balance of $1M.
Phillips said that while he was in a meeting on Friday, last, with “Mr. Rooplall” at the Ministry of Local Government, Meredith contacted him via telephone, demanding another $30,000. He is contending that the call was placed on loud speaker and that “Mr. Rooplall” heard everything.
“Meredith tell me dat $80,000 is not enough and that he (Meredith) has to pay “Mr. Patterson” his cut” so I’ll have to give him the $30,000 today or the cheque will bounce at the bank,” said Phillips.
When Kaieteur News contacted the treasurer, he said that the outstanding balance was paid to the man on Thursday. He said that it is customary that if any company sells a product to the council, the item must be registered to the M&CC before all payments are made.
He further noted that the item has not been registered to M&CC, but will be done shortly.
When asked about the allegations of bribery made by Phillips, Meredith contended that the allegations are “outrageous” and that he was unaware of what Phillips was asserting.
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