ST. LUCIA HOUSING MINISTER FREDRICK HELD FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000810 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR-COLLINS ADDIS ABABA FOR ANTHONY FISHER SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DOJ FOR OIA-ANDREW GENTEIN DHS/ICE MIAMI FOR MICHAEL LAPORE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2017 TAGS: PGOV KCRM KJUS KTIA ST XL SUBJECT: ST. LUCIA HOUSING MINISTER FREDRICK HELD FOR QUESTIONING REF: A. BRIDGETOWN 669 ¶B. BRIDGETOWN 49 Classified By: CDA Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: St. Lucia Housing Minister Richard Fredrick was questioned on June 18 by St. Lucian authorities for his alleged involvement in customs duty evasion. After six hours, he was released and asked to return on July 18 for further questioning. Contacts stated that the Director of Public Prosecutions is anxious that evidence recently received under the U.S.-St. Lucia Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty is not strong enough to charge Fredrick. These new developments in the four-year investigation of Fredrick appear to be a politically motivated attempt by Prime Minister Sir John Compton and his allies to discredit Fredrick publicly and prevent him from becoming prime minister after Compton's expected retirement. END SUMMARY. FREDRICK QUESTIONED... -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 18, St. Lucian customs and police authorities detained Housing Minister Richard Fredrick for questioning in conjunction with an ongoing customs investigation. The St. Lucian Customs and Excise Office is investigating Fredrick and two associates for evading customs duties on luxury vehicle imports from Florida (ref A). Fredrick was in police custody for six hours and then ordered to return for more questioning on July 18. The impetus for his detention and questioning was the receipt of evidence St. Lucia requested under the U.S.-St. Lucia Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). BUT NOT CHARGED -------------- ¶3. (C) Fredrick has not yet been charged with any crime. According to Embassy sources, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Victoria Charles, is generally cautious in her work and, in this case, is uncomfortable with the evidence received under the MLAT. According to our contacts, Charles wants certified statements from Florida witnesses interviewed in response to the MLAT request. (Note: A Department of Justice attorney familiar with the case said certified statements are not usually collected if the witness shares information willingly. While the Embassy has not yet received any specific requests from St. Lucian authorities, they may seek to obtain certified statements before the July 18 questioning to strengthen their case. End Note.) POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SUPPORT -------------- ¶4. (C) A crowd of supporters reportedly gathered outside the Gros Islet police station where Fredrick was being questioned. (Note: Fredrick represents Castries Central, an area only a short distance from Gros Islet, with regular public transportation connecting the two areas. End Note.) In addition to this gathering, four ruling party members of parliament, Rufus Bousquet, Guy Joseph, Marcus Nicholas, and Edmund Estaphane, visited Fredrick at the police station. Callers to radio talk shows also voiced their dismay over what they perceived as a mistreatment of a sitting minister and member of parliament. POTENTIAL POLITICAL FALLOUT -------------- ¶5. (C) If charged and convicted, Fredrick could face five years imprisonment and/or a fine of ECD 10,000 (USD 4,000), or three times the amount of customs duties he evaded (ref A). More important than the criminal sentence, however, is the negative effect this case may have on Fredrick's political career. One cabinet member told PolOff that this case would limit Fredrick's political aspirations. He stated that, although his offense would seem minor if committed by an average St. Lucian, the same offense would be exaggerated when a sitting politician is involved. A prominent lawyer also explained to PolOff that, according to St. Lucian law, a sitting official convicted of a crime must resign and cannot run for office again. He added that, if charged with a crime, an official should resign, but is not legally obligated to do so. COMMENT: COMPTON PULLING THE STRINGS -------------- ¶6. (C) Given Fredrick's political stature and legal acumen, obtaining a conviction could be an uphill battle. (Note: Fredrick is a trained lawyer and runs a prominent law firm in Castries. End Note.) However, PM Compton and his allies may have calculated that a conviction may not be necessary to take Fredrick out of the running for the top job. Discrediting him publicly might be sufficient. While PM Compton is a wily political operator, he is playing a much weaker hand now, with more than half of his own cabinet aligned against him. If not convicted of a crime, Fredrick may be able to deflect the public embarrassment and use his personal popularity, as well as his wealth, which he allegedly gained through money laundering and defending narcotraffickers (ref B),to extend his political career despite Compton's maneuverings. GILROY