P.J. Asher struck down by COVID as battle to fend off fraud charges resumes
/ Our Today
administrator
Fifty-four-year-old Jamaican corporate and commercial lawyer P.J. Asher’s legal defence team returned to the Supreme Court yesterday to answer fraud charges.
The charges concern allegations surrounding the acquisition of gas stations formerly owned by Roy DeCambre’s National Fuels & Lubricants by Total Jamaica, a subsidiary of the French energy giant.
CASE PROSECUTED BY OFFICE OF DPP
The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions headed by Paula Llewellyn.
Asher denies any wrongdoing and says he carried out his legal duties professionally and honourably.
During yesterday’s hearing, Asher’s attorneys announced that their client was gravely ill, having contracted the COVID-19 virus and was in fact on a drip. The judge demanded a medical report that was expeditiously submitted.
“Asher’s team will no doubt mount a robust defence. It would be interesting to ascertain Total’s position on this matter.”
Attorney-at-law David Miles Hewitt
The defence team pleaded for Asher’s passport and documents be returned in order that he could get medical treatment abroad.
The request was granted by the Supreme Court on the condition that his passport and other documents be returned to authorities by June 24, 2021 in order that the trial resumes on June 29, 2021 by which time additional charges may be pending.
$30-billion claim
DeCambre, the former National Fuels boss, is claiming J$30 billion in income derived by Total from operating the 10 gas stations DeCambre agreed to sell to the company, plus interest, plus damages and also the return of his gas stations.
“One thing that is intriguing with this case is that if the DPP is going after P.J. Asher who is an esteemed attorney in Jamaica and has been for many years, why isn’t Total joined in the case? The prosecutor may be looking to establish he was acting on behalf of his client Total and he also happened to be Total’s corporate secretary.
“It is yet to be determined if indeed Asher was acting alone or on behalf of Total. Asher’s team will no doubt mount a robust defence. It would be interesting to ascertain Total’s position on this matter. The discretion to decide which route to take lies with the prosecutor,” said barrister David Miles Hewitt.
Comments