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SOURCE: JAMAICA OBSERVER- Former Speaker of the House Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert has been fined $900,000 following her decision not to contest the charges brought against her by the Integrity Commission.
The Trelawny Southern Member of Parliament was charged for failing to declare a vehicle she had purchased with concession for the government on several statutory declarations.
Following submissions by her attorney Peter Champagnie KC, Parish Judge Leighton Morris pointed out issues with the Integrity Commission Act.
One of the things the court noted was that the act itself did not have a provision that clearly allowed the commission itself discretion to give Dalrymple-Philibert the benefit of correcting record and avoiding the necessity of going through the courts.
The MP had made corrections by way of an updated Statutory Declaration, at the recommendation of the commission and before any charges were brought against her.
“Given that Mrs Dalrymple-Philibert has already filed updated statements to account for the motor vehicle, there was little purpose in contesting the charges,” Champagnie said.
Champagnie took the opportunity to urge lawmakers to reconsider the provisions of the Integrity Commission Act, suggesting that it should allow parliamentarians and other public officials the chance to make corrections to prior statutory declarations during an inquiry, without the need for court proceedings.
He emphasised that these matters are largely administrative and should not unduly burden the court system.
Dalrymple-Philibert was charged with eight counts for breaches of the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act (4 counts) and the Integrity Commission Act (4 counts).
In the result, the commission’s prosecutors withdrew two counts.
The Court also admonished and discharged Dalrymple Philibert in respect of the counts under the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act and for the other charges under the Integrity Commission Act, she was fined $900,000.00.
The court noted the maturity of the parties involved despite the intense arguments advanced on both sides and Champagnie indicated that Dalrymple-Philibert was perhaps the only parliamentarian in Jamaica who without the invitation or request for any invitation took it upon herself to resign as house speaker and member of parliament in order to deal with her court matter.
The MP, fondly called ‘Mama D’ by her constituents was reelected in a resounding victory in late 2024.
She was represented by Champagnie and Olivia Derrett Plowright.
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