Attorney Says Mendez Denies Allegations

Dickie Bradley

Today, there was a small political protest in Orange Walk Town. A few persons holding signs called for Mendez to resign his seat in the National Assembly. We’ll have that just a little later in our newscast, but first to the issue of calling for Mendez’s resignation. P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca has stated repeatedly that Dr. Mendez, Orange Walk East Area Representative, will fight the allegations against him and has no intention of resigning his seat. Attorney Dickie Bradley says those are his instructions from his client as well.

Dickie Bradley, Attorney of Marco Tulio Mendez

“There is no law that an elected member of the House of Representatives who is charged for an offence…whether it is a summary offence in the Magistrate’s Court or an indictable offence in the Supreme Court…a person who is charged is not required by law to offer their resignation or to step down. I have not discussed that matter with Dr. Mendez as yet because we need to see whether in fact he will be charged, the nature of the charges, and also importantly what timeframe is the allegation that is being levied against him…whether it is something recent, whether it is something way back in the past, whether it is something that has substance to it or whether there is some internal dispute where children are being coerced or put under duress to misinterpret what would otherwise in a family situation be an innocent situation. My instructions are that there has never, ever, ever been any sexual contact in relation to any of the children. My instructions are that Dr. Mendez is saying that he loves his children and he has not committed any offence. That is a matter for the Court. Dr. Mendez belongs to a political Party, and I am aware from your newscast that in fact his Party the Opposition Party did hold meetings to discuss what is happening. They reached the correct decision because Dr. Mendez had not been charged at that stage. It is very likely, it is imminent, that he will now be charged. Arrangements will be made so that if in fact charges are laid in the Magistrate’s court, we will bring Dr. Mendez to face his charges.”