Mayor gets her day in court; attorney says 37 statements are futile
Belize City’s Mayor, Zenaida Moya Flowers, made another in a series of court appearances today. This particular case goes back to an audit of City Hall’s finances after which she was charged with Uttering false documents. As she exited the courtroom on October first, the Mayor used rather unconventional language directed at the Prime Minister. She paid dearly for that and was ousted from her party but the case is still haunting the now independent mayor. There are twenty two counts she faces which are the consequence of fuel or vouchers for transactions allegedly linked to a gas station which does not have an account for City Hall. The amounts are trifle, and far below the hundreds of thousands that were seemingly unaccounted for in a recent audit of City Hall’s finances. Today’s preliminary inquiry was heard by Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie. Michael Peyrefitte, Moya’s attorney, says that these charges and the thirty-seven statements in evidence don’t prove anything.
Michael Peyrefitte, Attorney for Zenaida Moya Flowers
michael peyrefitte
“Jose, this is a heavy bundle. Lots of paper, lots of ink, lots of time; thirty-two witnesses, thirty-seven statements, six exhibits and not one of them reveal in any way any evidence against Mayor Moya. There is simply none. There’s a bootleg quality DVD, submitted showing the mayor’s appearance on TV where she supposedly uttered these documents but it’s not there. The documents are not there on the DVD. There is no evidence to indicate that even if the mayor had uttered them—and she didn’t—but even there was, there is no prima facie evidence to indicate that she knew that the documents were not genuine. So it’s the magistrate’s decision and I won’t comment on that. But what I said in there, as far I see it’s a colossal waste of time; much ado about nothing.”
Jose Sanchez
“So when do you return to court?”
zenaida moya flowers
Michael Peyrefitte
“We return to court on October thirteenth, where the crown will give its response to my submission today and at that point we will go into the summary trial with other matters with Kiran Bhudrani where she was also charged with failing to comply with the city council regulations. The mayor is charged with two types of charges, twenty-two indictable charges and two summary charges. The summary ones will be decided and tried before the chief magistrate. She will determine evidence and the guilt or innocence of the accused persons. If the chief magistrate would send the Uttering matter to the Supreme Court then the Supreme Court matter will be decided by a judge or jury. In this case the magistrate acts as a filter. Essentially, the magistrate is to determine wither or not there is enough evidence to even send it to the Supreme Court and what we are saying is that there is no evidence.”
Peyrefitte said that Moya’s P.I. will continue on October thirteenth.
As a concerned belizean i am very disappointed with all this political witchhunt. Its barrow style prosecute all his political opponents if u stand against him. And of course without doubt the chief magistrare will find her guilty not bcause of her decision but bcause she will b manupulated by the political power or else she will loose her job. By the way if i remember quite good the amandala press and the bze times provided information when dean barrow signed vouchers for his constituency weeks bfor election who accounted for it no one .the immigration scandal during his administration. Sold bzen passport. Where is the money. Why was he not brought to justice. When the peoples pulse owed tax to the gob he quickly operated a next newspaper by the name of the guardian. Come on ball head try to recall all this.remember even the greatest emperors fell from grace to disgrace. Koodos to zenaida dont let this politician intimidate u. By the way where is dolores balderamos cant she do a probono case.
I hear the makings of a dismissal but October will be here soon enough.
As a U.D.P. star, Moya was ruthless, inefficient and fearless. Today, her ruthlessness has gotten her in hot water, her fearlessness got her booted out of the U.D.P. and her inefficiency remains. Who is the real loser in all of this? The people of Belize City.
Magician, you and the rest of those macho men can’t stand a strong woman. Understand that politic is like full contact karate. If you have not, I suggest that you get aquainted with some political history from different parts of the world. Base on what I’ve seen so far about politicians in the broader world, it is that thing that seem to bring out the worst in egotistical human. Think of the many wars that they have caused, and the many lives that have been lost as a direct result of thier ego. Politicians will feed off you ignorance like George Bush, Dick Chaney, et al. The vast majority of individuals automatically put there trust in politician just like a child and its parent, good or bad, don’t say anything about my parent, the same attitude as the ardent political followers. My party can do no wrong. You better wake up and realize what power you put in the hands of politicians.As Thomas Jefferson said, Quote:I’ve lived a long time and I’ve seen good men gone wrong, absolute power absolutely corrupt. end quote.
trifeling b….., ya all put her in office , 2010 now and bze city streets still f…. up , i expect pave streets.
Zenaida Moya………… SHE HAD PROMISE!!! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN SOMEBODY!!! SHE WAS TOUTED AS THE POSSIBLE FIRST FEMALE P.M.!!! SHE COULD HAVE BEEN A CONTENDER!!!!!
BUT……………. SHE WAS JUST LIKE THE REST. 🙁
“Politicians dem a fraud”
ringostar…………. YOU ARE THE TRIFELING B…T….H………. YOU SHOULD EXPECT WHAT YOU PUT IN…..looser!!!!!!!!!!
Zenaida could be any of our sister, daughter or mother. A lot of our Belizean women are strong outspoken women, who we appreciate especially as a mother who will stand up for us and protect us or as a sister or daughter who we see as a fearless warrior when defending themselves. Zenaida just happen to be in politics and in a party that does not appreciate or cannot stand that when it is seemingly not in their favor. I agree with Carlos, Manford and some of what Earl said; it’s a political witch hunt against a strong woman, who was/is seen as a contender for leader in her party and one day Prime Minister. Her opponents worked at discrediting and maligning her character and name so they could get rid of her. It’s a sad situation when grown or not so grown men would steep to that level to gain power. As I said, it could have happened to any one of the women we love. Think about it!
Folks, due process is taking place and Zenaida is having her day in court. The judicial system felt they had enough evidence to proceed with this matter and at the end of the day everything will be ventilated so that everyone may then pass THEIR judgement.
There is a good possibility that given the nature of Politics, some,’ backan ah hand’ moves took place between her and her party. Obviously she is a very outspoken woman and did rub some people the wrong way. But for her to disrespect the Prime Minister and her party leader the way she did on national television, she deserves all the heat she is getting and should not be expecting any LOVE from certain sectors of HER party……… for there is none!!!
Z……..you haffu bite yuh tong sohntime ahn watch yuh mout. kiahn di disrespect grown man outta road my Gial !!!!!
Any wonder Belize is so messed up? Belizeans can’t even see or understand the real issues. Being a strong woman has nothing to do with getting your hand caught in the cookie jar! Zenaida is a disgrace plain and simple, ask yourself the basic question, how does one go from having barely anything to having so much in so short a space of time? When Belizeans start to DEMAND not talk about ACCOUNTABILITY from our politicians then and only then will the stealing be curbed. As to Moya being leader of a party, what a laugh…she can’t even operate at the municipal level, the city is filthy and city hall is broke while she laughs all the way to the bank. Think about that!!