FINSAC commission reconsiders subpoena for PJ

Commissioners presiding over the enquiry into the financial sector meltdown of the 1990s have ruled against a request that former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson be subpoenaed as a witness, but the lawyer representing the interests of Thermo Plastics and Plas Pak has urged them to reconsider the decision.

Anthony Levy, who is representing Jean-Marie Desulme, former chief executive officer of Thermo Plastics and Plas Pak, reminded the commissioners at Tuesday's sitting of the enquiry that he has written to the secretariat asking that both Patterson and Dr Karl Blythe, former minister of water and housing, be subpoenaed as witnesses.

However, Levy said he has since been advised that the commissioners, comprising chairman Worrick Bogle, a chartered accountant, and Charles Ross, an investment banker, has ruled against summoning Patterson.

Bogle confirmed the decision.

But Levy claimed that because of Patterson's "direct involvement" not only in the decision taken about Thermo Plastics and Plas Pak during the financial sector crisis, but also his operation of the country as head of government at the relevant time, "I ask you to reconsider your decision".

Bogle responded that it would be so reconsidered.

The lawyer first made the request for Patterson to testify after the former prime minister commented some three weeks ago about the merits of establishing FINSAC and suggested that if the government had not acted it would have resulted in a bloodbath.

It was during the same period that Blythe suggested that the action taken by the People's National Party administration was a mistake.

Thermo Plastics and Plas Pak were placed in receivership by National Commercial Bank and Refin Trust, a subsidiary of FINSAC Limited to recover a debt. The firms were subsequently acquired by the National Investment Bank of Jamaica and reopened under new management.

Bogle, who adjourned the enquiry until next Tuesday, June 7, said Don Crawford, former chairman of Century National Bank and its affiliates, is expected to testify then.

Levy, who is representing Crawford, said the former banker will testify via video link.

mcpherse.thompson@gleanerjm.com