How much money is the government paying to outsource cases?
Said Musa
The amount of money paid to the law firm of the Prime Minister’s ex-wife was also at the center of a feisty debate in the House. The Opposition has consistently raised questions about the amount of money Lois Young’s law firm has been collecting since the change of government. The issue was brought up in the House by the former Prime Minister, Said Musa. While the sitting prime minister did not disclose the amount outstanding to his first wife and other law firms, he did say that Young had been paid one point five million dollars so far.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Apart from $92,574 to Michael Young’s Firm, $1.5 million over two years was paid to Lois Young’s Law Firm. This was and remains the government’s firm of choice because it is one of the very best litigation firms in this country. It had a record of public service legal action against PUP perfidy before the change of government; it is utterly dedicated to the government’s legal work for and on behalf of the people of Belize and most important of all because that firm gives us value for money. Thus it is that while we have paid the firm $1.5 million over two years, the firm has in turn recovered for us $42,532,466.00.”
Said Musa, Former Prime minister
“Will the prime minister state whether there is any amount still owing?”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“I will not state anything more. I have answered his question at great length.”
Said Musa
“This is a follow-up question.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“No. Well, Mr. Speaker unless you say that.”
Emil Arguelles, House Speaker
“Honorable member let me hear the follow-up question and I will decide if its…”
Said Musa
“Whether there are any outstanding bills pending for legal work done by private practitioners to the government, not yet paid?”
Emil Arguelles
“Honorable, the Minister of Finance has answered the question. If you wish to ask that question you are free to.”
Said Musa
“I fail to see how this is not a follow-up question. The people have a right how much the government has been paying to private practitioners and how much is due. How much is due from the taxpayers. You’ve gone overboard to talk about what happened before.”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“Mr. Speaker, there is of course ongoing litigation. Ashcroft noh finish wid we yet and we noh finish wid he yet. And so of course there will be additional… You asked how much has been paid; I’m telling you how much has been paid in terms of the two years we have been in office.”
Said Musa
“Have we paid for the representation in the Privy Council for instance? The recent representation by the very person you mentioned.”
1.5 million over 2 years. Words directly from the mouth of the man make the payments. The amount seems exuberant. They say if you want the best you pay for the best. However, It seems as if though we’re indeed paying for the best, but are we really receiving the best? I’m not convinced, thats too much money really. Prime minister goes on to mention that we’ve payed out 1.5 million and received 43 million in return. I hope the people are growing tired of the PM’s disingenuous sophistry. We mustn’t be fooled by his air of confidence, it’s one thing to say you’ve received 43 million in returns and another to prove it. The people must inquire.
I dont see the big deal of the 1.5 million, what they got back in return, government got 43 milllion, do the math, value for service, who ever can do a better job step up to the plate, before Mrs Lois Barrow, who did a better job, the previous ppl can not even compare service much less value in return.
Its not so much about value for service. First of all, 1.5 million is overkill, who needs 1.5 million ??? I mean seriously what is one person going to do with 1.5 million. A good lawyer will serve their country for much less, a good lawyer would see it as their duty to ask for less. I understand that the law firm has its needs, but 1.5 million seems superfluous. Next, prove that the 43 million is accounted for. Despite talk, I’ve seen no solid proof. Here’s hoping that we can move forward in a society where our measure of value is not so much money but our sense of duty.