Over $8M spent on govt’s COI defence
The toll on taxpayers for the Commission of Inquiry (COI) has been assessed to be more than eight million dollars so far.
This is inclusive of public relations, security and legal defence costs to the government.
The COI which started in January 2021 was initially mandated for six months, but was given two further extensions before hearings finally came to an end in November last year.
A report from the COI was submitted to the governor and released to the public at the end of April this year.
Legislators were told in the House of Assembly (HOA) yesterday that the great majority of that sum expended by taxpayers covered legal expenses provided by the Withers LLP law firm.
Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, who said the cost to taxpayers has not yet been fully assessed, noted that initial costs for the first six months to taxpayers was approximately $2,689,742.82.
He said legal fees to the Withers law firm were initially pegged at $2,437,751.50 but the firm was later paid a further sum of $4,689,531.52 in legal fees for the latter three-month extended period of the COI.
There was also a payment of $251,991.25 made to cover COI costs during the first six months, the Premier said.
Premier Wheatley said costs for the last three-month period amounted to $5,367,740.98. Of that amount, security costs were reportedly $2,128.92 while public relations costs were $676,080.54.
However, none of that amount took into consideration legal defense funds for HOA members which was provided by Silk Legal, a locally-based law firm that has reportedly not been paid as yet.
The Premier said more bills arising from the COI are expected and stated that he would be in a better position to give an update at a later sitting of the HOA.
Former Premier Andrew Fahie had initially stated that legal fees would be capped at $5 million but a post-Cabinet briefing released earlier this year noted that government injected a further $1.2 million into its legal defence.
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They may not of yet spent quite enough on public relations.
Considering the outcome, the billing should be passed in to the individuals.
and we still lost the case
It wasn’t a “ case “ , it was an enquiry. There was absolutely no need to have that bunch of bozos sitting there contributing nothing. Embarrassing themselves when they did speak. And the pompous oaf from the UK achieved absolutely nothing.
But the governments doesnt care because it’s only the taxpayers money.
If it wasn’t for him we would’ve never known
No. if it wasn’t for the UK breathing down their necks to reform we would never have known.
Thank you BVI taxpayers. We remain at your service and please call us again anytime your colonial government needs representation in any adversarial conflict either foreign or domestic.
What is particularly upsetting is that if you read the COI report, the Commissioner criticises the government’s lawyers as basically working to protect the individual ministers rather than acting for the government more widely.
So the BVI taxpayer has to pay a small fortune so that ministers could try (and fail) to avoid behind held accountable for years and years of misdeeds.
As no individual minister was held culpable or was accused by the COI of any criminal conduct, it seems the lawyers did a good job.
Andrew said he was innocent and that the CoI found no evidence of wrong doing…..
Withers should be ashamed. Appalling judgment by them in taking on that instruction.
Why does that one word ‘security’ keep coming up, over and over again through teh last few years? Now needed at the dump to stop those pesky fire starting thieves, security for the the COI, the Premier, just about everywhere these security contracts seem to pop up. To who’s benefit? 😉
That aside – why is there no transparency shown as to his list of costs? Show us where our $8 mil went. Why the secrets? Surely you want us all to know, that’s why you are talking, right?
Time longer than twine: the culprit who never had any respect for taxpayers was judged by a higher power and now languishes in a Miami Jail – natural justice
I as citizen and taxpayer never agreed to spending money on lawyers. They have an Accountant General and Government employed lawyers, use them.
If they had cooperated with the COI, the process would have been shorter thus cheaper.
So – Tax payers are screwed twice;
1. By the government giving tax dollars to their cronies and via corrupt means.
2. By the government hiring lawyers to try to hide their nasty little secrets away.
Get rid of all associated with this and past Governments and start again.
some benefits too
foy boy in miami
willox out of a job
carvin too
also vincent
fraser get a new job and liberator back
but we have an i**ot in charge
Another one trying to get in
YOU SAID IT RIGHT BRO (1 & 2 ) WE SHOULD NEVER THROW DIAMONDS TO PIGS , WHEN POWER GOES TO THE HEAD THEY BECOMES DICTATORS , ANDY HAD THE PLEASURE OF TAKING THIS COUNTRY TO A HIGHER LEVEL BUT HE DIDN’T RESPECT THE ? (COUNTRY OR HIS
PEOPLE
Governor this is too much. We cant wait much longer. Save us Dont listen to the nonsence.
Never will i be satisfied or happy with being degraded to a third or fourth class non human. Never!!!!
Warning to all colonialist and oppressive minded people: No one that seeks to take away what i now have will be safe.
The governor added his own bill to the taxpayers’ burden. That I strongly disagree with. He represents the UK so the UK should have covered his bill. As a matter fact, why did he even need a lawyer? Taxpayers have been screwed from all directions. SMH!!!
We need to get the finances on dem 7 bank books back in the government treasury
But why spend all these monies on defense, this was not a trial, this was just an enquiry, why the defense in the first place? dont you think hat 8 million could go to something much worthy?.
Thank God for all the International Business Corporations that deal with tax avoidance and money laundering. Without their annual fees going to government the BVI would sink.
You sat there agreeing to this madness Premier Wheatley and then turned around begging for money to build the school?
Only the GUILTY and or EVIL need(s) a LAWYER (LIAR)