Winston not smiling about money owed by Steve Nembhard

Steve Nembhard

Smiling versus Nembhard, their case was back before a magistrate today as tension went up notches between the two ranking members of the PUP. This morning, businessman Winston Smiling headed to court again in another attempt to recover money he claims he loaned to fellow party loyalist Steve Nembhard at the time of the last general elections.  Smiling says that in February 2008, Nembhard borrowed a total of six thousand dollars from him and has refused to pay it back despite earlier court action to settle the debt.  Nembhard says it was a party donation. To make matters worse, Nembhard has registered a Mexico City address as his place of residence and in so doing has frustrated attempts by Smiling to collect the money.  On Monday, following another episode in court, Nembhard was shipped to the Belize Central Prison after defaulting on a payment scheme ordered by the court. He was released after spending one night behind prison walls when he came up with half of the money owed.  But that’s not enough says Smiling whose position remains that he wants to be compensated in full and if needs be,  is willing to forego the six thousand dollar lump sum for Nembhard to serve a prison sentence.

Jules Vasquez, 7 News

“Do you seek that he [Steve Nembhard] be re-incarcerated for the remaining figure?”

Winston Smiling, Businessman

“If he will, if he don’t pay that is my stand.  It is all or nothing and I noh care ok.  I would walk away from six thousand dollars if he spends ten years da prison and noh pay the six thousand dollars, ih noh matter to me okay.  I respond to him at a time of need.  They had him lockdown similarly da Corozal fi money weh ih owe di court.”

Jules Vasquez

Winston Smiling

“He said that your entire beef with him is that he solicited a donation on behalf of the party leader from a northern businessman and you were upset because the businessman is your contact and you intervened [to] secure the donation yourself [and] then forwarded it to the leader so you felt that he di cut eena your action.”

Winston Smiling

“Jules the same way he told the media yesterday he paid five thousand dollars which is not true it’s the same way he continues to lie.  I don’t know nothing about any businessman with any money weh he collected.  If he collected the money and ih give it to the party fine because as you said it I’m a P.U.P. and if my party gets money I’m happy for them.  Why would I be mad for that?  I mean that is nonsense.”