ICC: Miami judge finds G.O.B. in contempt

The account comes from the lawyer for Jeffrey Prosser but until the Belize Government puts its own spin on today?s events we?ll report based on the information in hand. According to attorney Lanny Davis, reached by phone in Miami, the Government of Belize has been declared in contempt of court. He claims that U.S. district Judge Ursula Ungaro-Benages declared that Prime Minister Said Musa?s appointment of six directors to the B.T.L. board of directors was invalid and in direct defiance of her previous court order. According to courtroom observers the judge used language suggesting that G.O.B. was playing “hide the ball” and that “maybe it needed a hit on the head with a two-by-four”. The strength of that weapon will be determine after the judge receives submissions from both sides tomorrow on the question of financial penalties, and to that end she allegedly referred to the government’s accounts in U.S. banks. According to Davis his client will not hesitate to go after those assets, although he said that they are ready to sit down at any time with the P.M. to resolve the dispute over control of B.T.L. in a civilised manner. Efforts by News 5 to contact the G.O.B.?s attorney in Miami as well as solicitor general Elson Kaseke in Belize were unsuccessful. It is understood that government will seek an order reaffirming its position on Monday morning from the Belize Supreme Court. The Prosser appointed directors will seek to hold a board meeting by teleconference on Monday afternoon.