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| The Hon. Dr. Andrew Wheatley |
The following is a statement from South Central St. Catherine Member of Parliament, Dr. Andrew Wheatley.
- Dr. Wheatley rejects as false, inaccurate and grossly misleading allegation from Integrity Commission that assets disproportionate to earnings
- Instructs legal team to pursue vigorous defence in response to false allegations & confident of positive outcome
South Central St. Catherine Member of Parliament, the Honourable Dr. Andrew Wheatley is rejecting as patently false, inaccurate and grossly misleading a claim by the Integrity Commission that over a nine year period there is disproportionality concerning his assets when compared with his lawful earnings amounting to approximately $164-million.
Dr. Wheatley says:
"I am amazed at the Integrity Commission Report tabled in Parliament this afternoon which, despite my cooperation by providing proof of my earnings the Report alleges that over a nine-year phase, there is disproportionality in my assets relative to my lawful earnings which amount to approximately $164 million. I strongly and categorically reject as patently false, grossly misleading and inaccurate the allegations by the Director of Investigations. I intend to read the report in full but from a cursory review subsequent to its tabling this afternoon, I must indicate that it is odd, unreasonable and unfair that in arriving at his conclusion, the Director of Investigations clearly decided not to take into account approximately 168-million in rental income which I lawfully accumulated and declared over the nine years.”
Dr. Wheatley continued:
“I find it unreasonable, unfair and unfortunate that the Director of Investigation, despite being provided with substantial relevant information, has come to the conclusions he did despite the lack of credible evidence. Surprisingly, the Director of Investigation also failed to take into consideration the lawful and verifiable payment sources utilised in respect of the re-payment of approximately $50 million in loans obtained from financial institutions in the pursuit of my real estate business. This facilitated the Director of Investigations being able to arrive at the allegation of illicit enrichment of $164 million over the 9 nine years. Also, The Director of Investigations failed to take into consideration the receipt of some $168 million of rental income which I lawfully earned over the nine years and for which he was provided with copies of the lease agreements and bank account documentation showing the deposit of rental income. If he required further evidence that this money was lawful rental income he could have but did not request what further evidence he required. In arriving at conclusions without first seeking further evidence I find to be unreasonable and unfair especially as I was cooperating with the investigation.”
Dr. Wheatley further stated:
"The recommendation for a charge of illicit enrichment, along with the other charges, will be vigorously contested in the Court-of-law. I am in a position to provide supporting evidence that I have lawfully acquired every dollar and every asset that I own. I intend to defend my reputation via the Court and am confident of a positive outcome".
Concerning an allegation by the Integrity Commission that he was the recipient of six apartments which were declared to the Commission as gifts, Dr. Wheatley stated:
“I entered into a joint venture which involved the purchase of land for development purposes. The initial arrangement with my business partner was to split ownership of the development along the lines of a 50/50 ratio. I was unable to meet my obligations and consequently the arrangement was adjusted to a 70 to 30 allocation. I managed the construction and negotiated credit. My 30 percent share of the development would amount to the proceeds of sale of six units. Instead of taking value in cash, I chose to have properties transferred to me. The Attorneys-at-Law handling the Joint Venture prepared the transfer indicating it was by way of a gift. The Director of Investigations is apparently not aware that, in the real estate industry, such a transaction is not an unusual commercial arrangement which developers may lawfully enter into.”
The South Central St. Catherine Member of Parliament further commented:
“I have instructed my attorneys to vigorously contest the inaccurate conclusions of the Integrity Commission. I wish to assure this House and my fellow countrymen and women, that I am in a position to provide supporting evidence that I have lawfully acquired every dollar and every asset that I own. I INTEND TO DEFEND MY REPUTATION AND AM CONFIDENT OF A POSITIVE OUTCOME. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT NO ALLEGATION HAS BEEN MADE BY THE COMMISSION CONCERNING MY BENEFITING UNLAWFULLY FROM PUBLIC FUNDS. The investigation concerns my role as a developer and businessman, including the sale of my former ownership of a medical complex. Much of the probe concerns my business activities prior to being elected to Parliament. There is no credible evidence to support the allegation that I acquired my earning by unlawful means and, should additional proof of this was required by the Director of Investigation, all he had to do is ask.”
Dr. Wheatley concluded:
"I am a Jamaican, who like the people of my constituency, I come from very humble beginnings. I know what it is to be poor and to have to pull yourself up and out of poverty. Long ago, I committed to myself that I would be diligent in doing as much as I can to ensure that future generations, including my children, not face the circumstances that I did. I have worked hard over many years to lawfully overcome challenges that people from humble beginning have to face. I have done so honestly and with integrity and will not be deterred by the latest challenges which have arisen. I have always been transparent in my dealings and have nothing to hide, and I can boldly declare that I have not hidden any earnings or assets in trust funds overseas. Consequently, I will fight resolutely and fairly to clear my name from the baseless allegations which have been levelled against me, not only for myself but also for all those Jamaicans from humble beginnings who may wish to offer themselves for public service. I would also urge Jamaicans, like me who were under-privileged and who wish to enter public service not to be deterred by innuendoes and false allegations which from time to time may arise during the course of service. I urge them not to be deterred even as they also like me, may also seek to contribute to their country by way of private enterprise, including development projects, which do not involve public funds.”
Integrity Commission Report on Dr Andrew Wheatley.
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