Former Health Minister Joe Coye strikes back at his accuser

On the night of February seventh 2008, at the UDP’s election celebration, victorious UDP candidates swore to jail corrupt PUP ministers. Former Minister of Health Jose Coye was among the first to be criminally charged.  Coye was charged with theft of over two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars being the property of one Alfred Shakron, as well as with obtaining property by deception. The allegation was that Shakron paid Coye the money for him to procure a valuable piece of property in Coye’s then constituency of Caribbean Shores.  The property was commonly known as the “Putt Putt bar”.  Shakron, in his statement to the police, alleged that the money was paid to Coye’s driver, Curnel Flowers, but that he never received the property. Flowers was charged with the same offences along with his boss. The case eventually fell apart when Shakron asked that the charges be withdrawn. Coye swore that he would have his day in court. Well, today he did. He has sued Shakron for malicious prosecution, claiming damages for the expense he was put to in defending the criminal charges as well as for damages to his reputation. Coye is being represented by Dr. Elson Kaseke while Shakron is being represented by Rodwell Williams SC and Michel Chebat.