AFC denies Chronicle report on Canadian businessman
Written by Kwesi Isles
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 18:32
Source
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has denied a Guyana Chronicle report that controversial Canada-based Guyanese businessman David Singh is hosting a fund raiser for the party in Toronto but adds that his input to the party would be welcomed.
Singh had run afoul of the Canadian authorities in 2010 with the Canada Revenue Agency revoking the registration of two charities it says were operated for his private gain as reported by the Toronto Star the same year.
The state-owned Guyana Chronicle on Sunday reported Singh as being a “convicted” fraudster and that he was reportedly one of the main organisers of an upcoming fund raiser. It also quoted the 2010 Toronto Star report.
On Wednesday AFC Leader Raphael Trotman said the party’s Toronto Chapter is holding an event and they would have no problem with Singh’s patronage.
“When last I checked he was not a member of the party. He has expressed views supporting anything that changes the PPP/Civic government and if it’s the AFC he prepared to support us but he’s not a supporter of the PPP I can tell you that,” Trotman stated.
The AFC which has held itself out as a beacon of integrity would have no problem with overtures from Singh, he added.
“As far as I know he’s not a criminal; he did have a run in some years ago with the Securities Commission which matter had been dealt with and is over with. He’s functioning and is not incarcerated and is not being prevented from travelling like others are and being taken off planes,” Trotman said.
“If it is that he had a problem and he’s made right with the authorities over there and he’s a Guyanese who wants to help us who are we to do (otherwise).”
Trotman’s mention of planes was a reference to the Ed Ahmad story in which the US-based Guyanese businessman was taken off a plane bound for Guyana by the US authorities and subsequently indicted in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme.
He faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment if convicted.
Ahmad had been a friend of President Bharrat Jagdeo for years and had been introduced to the governing PPP by the AFC’s presidential candidate Khemraj Ramjattan years ago while he was still with that party.
Written by Kwesi Isles
Wednesday, 28 September 2011 18:32
Source
The Alliance for Change (AFC) has denied a Guyana Chronicle report that controversial Canada-based Guyanese businessman David Singh is hosting a fund raiser for the party in Toronto but adds that his input to the party would be welcomed.
Singh had run afoul of the Canadian authorities in 2010 with the Canada Revenue Agency revoking the registration of two charities it says were operated for his private gain as reported by the Toronto Star the same year.
The state-owned Guyana Chronicle on Sunday reported Singh as being a “convicted” fraudster and that he was reportedly one of the main organisers of an upcoming fund raiser. It also quoted the 2010 Toronto Star report.
On Wednesday AFC Leader Raphael Trotman said the party’s Toronto Chapter is holding an event and they would have no problem with Singh’s patronage.
“When last I checked he was not a member of the party. He has expressed views supporting anything that changes the PPP/Civic government and if it’s the AFC he prepared to support us but he’s not a supporter of the PPP I can tell you that,” Trotman stated.
The AFC which has held itself out as a beacon of integrity would have no problem with overtures from Singh, he added.
“As far as I know he’s not a criminal; he did have a run in some years ago with the Securities Commission which matter had been dealt with and is over with. He’s functioning and is not incarcerated and is not being prevented from travelling like others are and being taken off planes,” Trotman said.
“If it is that he had a problem and he’s made right with the authorities over there and he’s a Guyanese who wants to help us who are we to do (otherwise).”
Trotman’s mention of planes was a reference to the Ed Ahmad story in which the US-based Guyanese businessman was taken off a plane bound for Guyana by the US authorities and subsequently indicted in connection with a mortgage fraud scheme.
He faces a maximum of 30 years imprisonment if convicted.
Ahmad had been a friend of President Bharrat Jagdeo for years and had been introduced to the governing PPP by the AFC’s presidential candidate Khemraj Ramjattan years ago while he was still with that party.