Philipsburg: --- Commissioner of Culture Louie Laviest is expected to see the judge of instruction today Friday confirmed Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands Taco Stein. Laveist is under investigation for forgery, he was arrested on Wednesday morning while his home and office was searched on Monday. The searches and arrest came 18 months after an intense investigation are conducted by the Federal Detectives. Also in custody is the commissioner's former executive assistant Roberto Richardson, the senior civil servant was arrested just about the same time Laveist was arrested on Wednesday.
Asked if the any of the men would be released Stein said that Laveist would not be released instead he is expected to appear before the judge of instruction today. In the case of Roberto Richardson, Stein said the investigators are still busy questioning Richardson and as such, he will remain in custody.
According to sources, the two men are being investigated mostly for documents they issued to foreign workers in exchange for money. Those monies were placed in accounts of several foundations that Laveist is managing. SMN News has been reliably informed that the investigators had picked up Mrs. Betty Laviest, the wife of the commissioner and President of his Culture Club Foundation who is no longer active in the foundation but the records at then Chamber of Commerce was not amended. According to sources, this is one of the several forgeries the prosecutor's are investigating.
Some months ago, the detectives detained a few businesspersons one of which is the proprietor of New York Nails, since this businessperson has to bring in his workers from Vietnam. Other business owners on Front and Back Street were also questioned. Now that Laviest has been, arrested pundits are blaming the proprietor of New York Nails whom they said have been telling people he paid Laviest large sums of monies to process his workers papers. "I need to know where he is because it seems as if he made a deal with the investigators before jumping the ship to Antigua". One pundit said.
In the meantime, Leader of Government Sarah Wescot Williams said she is busy trying to organize a meeting on the matter, but some of the commissioners are not available. "Commissioner Marlin is presently off island while Commissioner Buncamper Molanus is ill. I am expecting to hold that meeting on Saturday because by then Marlin would be back while Buncamper Molanus should be well enough," Wescot Williams said. Asked if she had decided who would be replacing Laveist in the council, the party leader said no such decision has been taken on the matter.
