The Caribbean Daily News CARIB UPDATE Bird’s home searched Posted Sunday March 28,2004 08.03 AM ECT.
Anthony Astaphan, Q.C. Attorney at Law : Official response to articles
published in online media about Hon. Asot A Michael MP
The Allegations of Missing Files
Allegations persist that Asot Michael unlawfully removed State or official files from the Office of Prime Minister prior to the General election. What are the facts? On learning of the accusation Asot Michael wrote the newly elected Prime Minister two[1]letters on the 26th March 2004. Asot Michael expressed his concern at the feeding frenzy taking place over the allegation that he and others had removed documents and files from the Office of Prime Minister. Asot went on to inform the Honourable Prime Minister he had removed his personal files and that if the Government wanted possession of the files he would make them available to the Government.
At about 4.35 pm on the 26th March officers of the Royal Antigua Police Force came to the residence of Asot Michael. Asot’s Attorney at Law Mr. John Fuller informed them that there was no need to execute the search warrant, as they were free to inspect the documents. The documents were catalogued on the premises and taken possession of by the Police. Since that visit the Attorney General appointed a second investigative team. Two (2) reports on the alleged missing files have been submitted to the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions. Two Director of Public Prosecutions have stated publicly that the reports into the alleged missing files do not contain any sufficient evidence to warrant a charge or arrest.
In addition, there has been no suggestion that any of the files taken from Asot Michael’s residence by the Police contained any of the alleged missing files or documents and none were identified in any of the two (2) reports presented to the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions. Added to all of the above, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Prime Minister Mrs. Agnes James stated in her interview with investigators that government files were kept in the Registry in the Office of Prime Minister and that none of the files are missing. Following her interview, Mrs. James left office.
Further, the removal of personal files is not unusual. It has always been the practice in the Caribbean that Ministers of Government clear their desks of their personal effects and belongings prior to a General Election.
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