DPP makes ruling in case against NWC president Mark Barnett and his wife
Published:Wednesday | January 10, 2024 | 5:02 PM
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has issued a ruling in the case in which National Water Commission (NWC) president Mark Barnett and his wife have been slammed over their apartment complex allegedly built in breach of permits.
Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn said the decision has been communicated to the Integrity Commission, the anti-corruption agency which investigated allegations of irregularities in the approval processes for the complex on Charlemont Drive in St Andrew.
“Our assessment of the material sent to us has been completed by my team and myself and we have sent a very detailed ruling,” she told The Gleaner Wednesday.
She said the ruling was copied to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the National Environment and Planning Agency.
The DPP declined to provide details on the ruling.
Barnett was placed on administrative leave by the NWC board on October 13 last year following the Integrity Commission's scathing report which labelled his actions as “egregious”.
READ: Barnett placed on leave amid Integrity Commission report
The report noted that the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) and the National Environment and Planning Agency issued building, planning and environmental permits to Barnett and his wife for the construction of two three-storey blocks consisting of 12 one-bedroom units.
However, it was found that the erected development consists of six two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units “in breach of the permits issued”.
Director of Investigations Kevon Stephenson said the DPP was alerted to the alleged breach “for appropriate action, in relation to the prosecution of any viable offence as the DPP may determine.
“There was a clear intention on the part of Mark Barnett and Annette Francis-Barnett to contravene the terms of the building and planning permit,” Stephenson alleged.
Barnett's wife, a lawyer, was also referred to the General Legal Council, the regulatory body for the legal profession.
The oversight body also recommended that the KSAMC “take action” against Barnett, his wife Annette, and developer Phillip Smith for “breaching” the building permit for the complex.
It also recommended that KSAMC Chief Executive Officer Robert Hill institute disciplinary proceedings against Chief Engineering Officer Xavier Chevannes and Senior Building Officer David Clarke for alleged failure to execute their roles.
Barnett has been president of the NWC since August 2015.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.