More Big Money for Placencia Lands Paid to Vega Family and Friends

There is another instance of compensation paid for land in the peninsula. In February 2012, unknown to the residents of Placencia, who had been agitating for a reserve, land was parceled off within a designated reserve in the Placencia area to four individuals. A total of four parcels located on two islands were granted to the Vega’s family and friends within days of the elections. Andre’s girlfriend, Dominique Gomez, whose name also appears in the Haulover case on behalf of Andre Vega, was compensated handsomely.  So were Douglas Usher, a close friend of Andre; Bertran Brown, an employee of the then minister, and Dorian Pakeman, the Director of the Press Office. Cabinet reversed the land titles and paid out a compensation package of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  Tonight, we have the documents to show how much each was paid out. At the top of the class, was Gomez. On March first, 2012, she got eighty thousand dollars.  The first installment was for eight thousand dollars and the second for seventy-two thousand dollars for fifteen point seven acres of land in North Placencia. Usher, who was granted parcel thirty-two forty-one, received nineteen thousand dollars in compensation. As it relates to Brown, he also received nineteen thousand dollars for the three acres of land at parcel thirty-two forty-two. Now, Government’s Press Officer Pakeman received thirty-two thousand dollars as full payment for six point one acres. In Tuesday’s newscast, we’ll have new shady land deals.