FINSAC Commission to subpoena Dr. Blythe, reconsider PJ Patterson’s

KINGSTON — The Financial Sector Adjustment Company (FINSAC) Commission of Enquiry says it will reconsider a request to subpoena former Prime Minister, Most Hon P.J. Patterson, but has concluded that it will call former Cabinet Minister, Dr. Karl Blythe.

Chairman of the Commission, Worrick Bogle, said Tuesday (May 31), that a letter will be sent to Dr. Blythe this week, requesting his appearance. He said that while the Commission had rejected an earlier request to subpoena Mr. Patterson, after a second appeal from attorney Anthony Levy, who represents Thermo Plastics Jamaica Limited/Plas Pak at the enquiry, the Commission would reconsider.

Mr. Levy suggested that the reconsideration, on the basis that Mr. Patterson was personally involved in discussions surrounding the disposal of the assets of Thermo Plastics Jamaica and its sister firm, Plas Pak. The entities were sold by FINSAC to the National Investment Bank of Jamaica (NIBJ) and, eventually, to a company known as Omni Industries, as well as being the person in charge of the Government of the period.

The Commission has been told that at one stage during the negotiations for the sale of the companies, the parties were called to Jamaica House for discussions with Mr. Patterson and other members of his Cabinet.

“As Prime Minister, he had primary responsibility, and he was very knowledgeable,” Mr. Levy suggested, adding that calling Dr. Blythe would only reveal “one side of the story."

“If Mr. Patterson is called I, for sure, would test his evidence. So I ask you to reconsider your decision and make it known at an early stage,” he pleaded.

“The Commission will so do and will inform you,” Mr. Bogle responded.   

The Commission will resume next Tuesday (June 7), when former head of the Century financial institutions, Don Crawford, is expected to testify from a location in the United States, where he now resides.

By BALFORD HENRY, JIS Reporter & Editor