Punta Gorda B.P.P. Candidate Alleges Bribery by U.D.P. Officials

Maria Lara

On the eve of nomination day, the Belize Progressive Party is charging that one of its municipal candidates in Punta Gorda Town was approached to step down as a candidate in return for payments of her bills and school fees. Councilor candidate Maria Lara says she had previously approached ranking officials of the United Democratic Party for assistance weeks ago.  A few days ago, she alleges that she was approached with a response: she would get help if she stepped down from the B.P.P. We were not able to reach any of the persons mentioned. But Lara today told her story to a reporter in Punta Gorda of why she refused.

Maria Lara, Alleges Bribery

“Mr. Macario [Coy] was the first one; the Senator, before the debate at Parish Hall; he did approached and asked me if my bills were paid, Mr. Macario Coy; and I had actually asked this [from a] long time, Mr. Ashton to help me; he didn’t respond back; he said he would help me. Then Mr. Coy asked me again if I did get the support that I asked for a while ago, long ago before I got into this election. And then he promised he was going to help me; he asked me to print the invoice and give it to him because he was going to Belmopan the following day. I did text him the following day and asked him if the offer was still there and he said yes, they were going to help me; that was not a problem. So I met Mr. Price the other night, and he asked me the same thing, if I was getting help to cover my school fees at Galen University, and I told him not yet. Then he told me his party is going to help me, and he will check someone that he can talk to, to help me pay all my bills. I didn’t expect what they asked me to do; first I needed to do that before I get the help.”

Reporter

“What was that?”

Maria Lara

“They asked me to do a public declaration, that I should step down from the B.P.P., and one hundred percent sure they would pay my bills. And I didn’t feel quite comfortable with it, so I did tell them I was going to think about it; then I just changed my mind and didn’t accept the deal.”