Former Castries South hopeful Tommy Descartes has denied allegations that he intended to bribe voters after police reportedly found a large sum of cash in his possession on election day.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Descartes said, ” I wish to set the record straight; on election day after the polls had closed after 6:00 p.m., police officers approached my finance manager who was seated in his private vehicle. He was in possession of a sum of cash intended to pay Election Day workers.”
He said the funds were meant for over 50 individuals (including agents, drivers and caterers) who had fulfilled their obligations and were awaiting payment.
According to him, “I was told by the officer that they wanted to take me and two others in to count the cash (and) we were transported to the station. No formal statement was taken from me, and the cash, which they said they needed to count, was never counted in our presence.”
He questioned the circumstances surrounding the incident, emphasizing, “While we respect the duty of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, I have several legitimate questions that must be answered. Were we targeted? What crime was committed?”
Furthermore, the UWP candidate added, “Is it illegal for a campaign finance manager to be in possession of funds to pay Election Day workers after the polls have closed? Why was no statement taken from me if I was allegedly involved in wrongdoing? Why did officers insist on taking us in to count the cash yet the monies (were) not counted until days after?”
He also expressed concern that reports had already claimed the cash was confiscated, despite being counted days later. “Online reports circulated before any official count occurred, claiming that $30,000 was confiscated, yet the cash was not counted until Wednesday,” Descartes said.