Final Submissions are Made in Claim Against CitCo

Candace Miller

A decision will be handed down this Friday afternoon in a claim brought by former city administrator Candace Miller against the Belize City Council for unlawful termination.  Attorneys Magali Perdomo for Miller and Anthony Sylvester for the Council made their final submissions before Justice Courtney Abel. The council terminated Miller’s contract back in 2018 on grounds of dereliction of duties as city administrator. It is also countersuing Miller for one million dollars in relation to a claim that was made by Belize Waste Control against CitCo. Sylvester submitted that Miller knew about the debt, but failed to inform the incoming mayor and council. In the evidence presented and witness statements recorded, Sylvester outlined several incidents including Miller not demanding full payment on a loan given to the general secretary of the mayors’ association, Enrique Carballo, as well as a payment made to Gilbert Franklin for over fifty-nine thousand dollars. Perdomo argued that none of the incidents constitute gross misconduct and that the mayor had blocked Miller from carrying out her duties. Following the proceedings, Attorney Sylvester shared brief comments with the media.

Anthony Sylvester

Anthony Sylvester, Attorney for the Belize City Council

“Well as you guys witnessed, it was a riveting three days so we await tomorrow and see what will be the outcome. But it was…we put forward our case and we await the judgement. Don’t want to pre-empt anything.”

Duane Moody

“Sir, do you believe that you guys were able to prove that Miss Miller did not do what she was supposed to do; that her actions were dereliction of duties?”

Anthony Sylvester

“Well as much as I’d want to answer your question, you do recall that the judge is deliberating on those same issues and so as much as I would want to comment, I would have to leave whatever comment on the actual verdict and outcome of the case and the facts of the case until tomorrow.”

Reporter

“Would you consider that you stand on a weak wicket based on the judges withering review of your three grounds for dismissal?”

Anthony Sylvester

“I would not agree to your characterization, but I know Jules that you always have a very articulate way in which to characterize things so tomorrow we will have to wait and see what happen.”

As we said, Justice Abel will deliver his decision on Friday at two p.m.