Philipsburg:--- Commissioner of Youth Affairs, Labour and Culture Louis Laviest has been arrested by Federal Detectives early Wednesday morning confirmed Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein. Investigators on Monday searched Laveist home in Cole Bay as well as his office at the Government Administration Building as they intensified the ongoing investigation against the commissioner.
Laviest was taken in for questioning that same morning but was later released. He eventually returned to the Island Council Meeting which was in session for most of the day. A press release later that morning from the Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigators under the supervision of the investigating judge conducted the searches since the commissioner is under suspicion of forgery.
According to well placed sources the commissioner is being investigated on documents he signed for several persons, including Venezuelan Natalie Luna who was held for deportation and later received permanent residency. Luna now resides in the United States since she managed to secure a US visa with her permanent residency.
Other sources claim the prosecutor's office is looking into the issuance of several bus licenses that is driven by mostly Haitians. Stein has so far declined to release any information on the scope of the investigations since the matter he said is very sensitive.
Roberto Richardson also arrested---investigation into forgery
SMN News also receives reliable information which suggested that the commissioner former chief executive officer Roberto Richardson was also held for questioning. Chief prosecutor Taco Stein confirmed the arrest yesterday afternoon. However, the Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands said he did not have information on the nature of the investigation.
Most of the staff that worked with the commissioner was questioned by the detectives earlier this year concerning his foundations and other matters relating to Laveist portfolios. Sources told this media house that the commissioner knew he was going to be arrested yesterday and he was seeking legal advice from a specific former prosecutor who resides on the island even though he has a top lawyer representing him.
Both Laviest and Richardson are presently held at the Philipsburg Police Station where they are being questioned by the Federal Detectives. It is understood that the Prosecutor's office intended to keep both men at the Philipsburg Police station in different cells. In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor Taco Stein said last night the two men would be held on St. Maarten and that according to procedures they would stay two times twenty four hours. Stein said after that his office would decide on how to proceed with the detention.
