Did ACP Marco Vidal Clear Lev Dermen?
Marco Vidal
After denying that he received monies from fraudster Lev Dermen, John Saldivar later admitted that he received fifty thousand U.S. dollars from Dermen during a trip to Miami in 2014. Saldivar first said the monies were used for campaign financing, but later said it was used to buy sports equipment. The trade unions and opposition party are not easily accepting that explanation. They want an independent investigation to be carried out into the allegations made against Saldivar during his time as Minister of National Security. Vidal and the police department are coming under fire because it was Vidal who, the Prime Minister said, cleared Dermen after checking with Interpol. This was when there was a push for Dermen to be granted an honorary consulate appointment in the U.S.A. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says that Vidal is the most suitable person to carry out the investigation.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I don’t see how it could be said that Mister Vidal cleared Dermen. Mister Vidal the head of Special Branch, when we get request to do vetting on persons who are not Belizean we rely on our international counterpart, Interpol. As was said, Interpol had nothing on him. In that same report if you had listened to what the Prime Minister, the same report that Mister Vidal that Interpol had nothing on him he also went on to say that he associated with persons with questionable character. That was also in the report that Vidal sent but people just want to focus in the issue that Interpol said nothing. If it is that they want to investigation Vidal for saying that then they must also go investigate Interpol because they said they have noting on the man and the report that Mister Vidal submitted could only be based on the Interpol check that was done and what Special Branch knew that when you come to Belize and it was clearly stated in that memo that he associated with questionable character.”
Reporter
“I know that you said before that you haven’t come up with any challenges, no attempt to interfere in this investigation. Is that still the case and do you anticipate any attempt to interfere.”
Chester Williams
“At this time there has been no interference. Like I said, in my interview on Friday to Channel Five, we are waiting for that case to conclude so we can apply for a certified copy of the transcript and once we get the certified copy of the transcript then we can move forward with the investigation. I know there are several persons who would want to tarnish the reputation of Mister Vidal but I personal believe that he is best suited and fit to job and I am sure he is going to do his best in that regard.”
