Prime Ministerial candidate says she is being blackmailed
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial candidate, Elisabeth Harper, has
Elisabeth Harper
come out in support of her son who is embroiled in a bitter court battle over the alleged embezzlement of $700M given to him by foreign investors. The money was to be invested in the local mining industry, but the investors never received the agreed returns from Harper’s son, Reagan Pollard, who was their local partner. According to reports, repeated requests by the foreign partners for their share of the profits were met with several excuses from Pollard. This continued over two years. The investors, who hail from Canada and the United States of America, moved to the High Court in November last year. In a statement issued yesterday, the PPP Prime Ministerial candidate expressed the belief that she is a victim of extortion and blackmail. “Ever since I have been appointed as the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate there have been attempts by a known individual, tantamount to blackmail or political extortion regarding a legal dispute between my 36-year old son and his former business partners,” Harper said.
Reagan Pollard
According to Harper, her son is engaged in his own business enterprise and she is aware that he and his former business partners have been in court in Guyana since November 2014 to settle a dispute that has arisen. “I love my son dearly and am fully supportive of him. I also respect his business independence. In view of the fact that the matter is being addressed by the Court it is therefore sub judice. The several attempts of extortion and blackmail directed at me regarding this case are disturbing. I strongly reject any attempt to use my political appointment to resolve this matter extra judicially or to influence the legal direction of the court case,” Harper stated. The issue has arisen at a time when Harper is campaigning earnestly for the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic for the upcoming general elections next month.