Independent Liberal Party political leader Jack Warner is predicting that taxpayers will have to fork out more than $100 million in legal fees for his extradition matter, based on the initial $12 million legal bill submitted to government by State attorneys.
In an interview, Warner revealed that his private legal fees were less than $1 million. He expressed disgust that the Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration was paying exorbitant fees at taxpayers’ expense for a matter that the United States initiated against him.
“Imagine my matter has not yet started and they already paying $12 million. Over $100 million will be paid by the State if we go by this calculation. It is obscene, absurd and disgusting,” Warner said.
“These State lawyers spent 15 minutes in court on three occasions. The case has not yet been started. This is a matter that the US has initiated against me. Why taxpayers have to pay this money? This is for the US government to pay. That is a US problem and they cannot place a US problem on the taxpayers of T&T.”
He said there was nothing in the extradition treaty signed between T&T and the US which states that the monies will be reimbursed.
“This is a last attack on the Treasury before this government leaves office. This is an attack on taxpayers. They owe an explanation as to why so many attorneys were hired and why they are paying so much money in legal fees,” Warner said.
“This is political harassment of the worst kind and the Prime Minister is party to it,” Warner said.
The 72-year-old former government minister is one of 14 people wanted by the US on allegations of bribery, money laundering, corruption and wire fraud conspiracy arising out of an investigation done by the US Department of Justice. He is currently on $2.5 million bail. The crimes are alleged to have occurred between 1990 and 2011.
Warner, who is contesting the Chaguanas East seat in next Monday’s general election, is expected to reappear in court on September 21.
Fees justified
Meanwhile, one of the State attorneys hired for the case, Jagdeo Singh, who is expected to benefit from the $12 million payout, said his $1.5 million fees were for the entire extradition proceeding. Singh said it was not uncommon for attorneys to file invoices beforehand, adding that the fees were justified.
“Extradition is complex and requires an exorbitant amount of work. I actually charged less than what I was entitled to. I was entitled to charge two thirds of the fee charged by the QC but charged much less than two thirds. This fee is for the entire commital proceedings,” Singh said.
Asked whether it was unusual and unjustified for so many lawyers to be hired for an extradition case, Singh replied, “That is not for me to decide. I can’t get into that.” He said under the existing extradition treaty, T&T will not get a reimbursement of legal fees from US.
Contacted on his cellphone yesterday, Attorney General Garvin Nicholas refused to explain why a battery of lawyers were hired for the extradition and why $12 million is being paid even though Warner’s case is yet to begin.
“I am not going to make any comment with regards to Jack Warner’s matter,” Nicholas said, declining to answer any further questions.
The cheques are expected to be signed and delivered this week, days before the general elections, on September 7.