Pradoville Two…I was selected based on merit
– Special Prosecutor Trenton Lake
By: Brushell Blackman
Special Prosecutor Trenton Lake says that he was selected on merit to represent the State in the very contentious and controversial Sparendaam Housing Project, known as the Pradoville Two case involving former President Bharrat Jagdeo and former Ministers of the previous administration. Lake has debunked claims of conflict of interest and ‘money for the boys’ allegations leveled against him. He is one of six Attorneys, including Michael Somersall, Hewley Griffith, Lawrence Harris, Patrice Henry and Compton Richardson that were selected by the government to prosecute the case. The allegation is that members of the previous administration, including Bharrat Jagdeo, had bought prime house lots for undervalued prices. An audit was subsequently commissioned and found that criminal cases were made out against those that were involved in those purchases.
Lake said that he is one of three partners in the law firm he works with, and it is not controlled by any Government Minister.
Attorney-at-law Trenton Lake
However, he did admit that Harmon is one of those partners. Lake said that he has been practicing law for seven years and has had many successes as a criminal Defence Attorney. Further, he said that he has prosecuted many cases and was very successful in those.
He has rejected the notion that he was selected because of his affiliation with Minister of State Joseph Harmon. Lake said that he has proven himself as a competent young attorney.
While he appreciates the conflict of interest claim, he believes those with concerns should remember Guyana’s population is small and people’s associations and connections may overlap at times. However, he believes that this is not sufficient reason why he should not be a part of the battery of attorneys prosecuting the case. Lake said that he is a businessman and he is doing what he does to make a living and once all the terms and conditions are agreeable, he will accept the government’s offer.
Lake stated he is still unaware how much he will be paid, since there has been no agreement yet.
The young attorney said that those who are ready to criticize should understand the nature of the matter and where it is at this time. Responding to the former Attorney General Anil Nandlall claims of ‘money for the boys’ Lake said he will not allow himself to be placed in the ranks of those who are willing to be drafted into Nandlall game of ‘tit for tat’.
It was during the Bharrat Jagdeo administration Cabinet made a decision authorising the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to privatize State lands. NICIL is the body tasked with overseeing the privatization of State assets.
NICIL reportedly spent more than $200M to develop the seafront community without the knowledge of the National Assembly and other relevant bodies.
The said lands were then secretly sold to the former Ministers and known friends and associates of the PPP/C. At the time of the sale, the report said, the lands were grossly undervalued and sold at a price substantially below the market value, thereby depriving the state of its full benefits.
