The local catfight over one US$100,000 in reward money from Oprah continues to brew here in Belize. In today's edition of the Reporter Newspaper, Police Commissioner Gerald Westby says he has written a report for U.S. authorities identifying three persons who would share the pot for turning in American fugitive Niles Scott last week. Well, a fourth person is demanding to be included in that group: Paula Wade says she deserves to share in the reward money. Wade says she watched the Oprah Winfrey show on Channel 7 at 4 pm last week Tuesday and after she saw Scott's image she immediately called police. She says she wants Oprah to show her the money or at least part of it.
Paula Wade, Says She Turned in Scott
"I want to know what is going because like they are taking me out of this money and I was watching the show, I wasn't at work, I didn't go to work for a whole week. When I saw this fugitive on the TV I told my boyfriend that I knew the guy. I called the FBI, I called the 0-800-Crimestoppers number and when I got through to them and I was talking to a man and I gave him the whole runabout about this man that I know him and I work at the tourist village with him. That he runs a taxi and I am a hair braider. I explained to the man how he looks, the same way that Oprah showed him on the show. I explained everything to him and I told him that's the person you are looking for, he is here in Belize and the next day I heard he got arrested."
Keith Swift,
What have they told you about the reward?
Paula Wade,
"Well I am seeing in the papers that its two girls getting this money and its like I had nothing to do with it."
Keith Swift,
And I am sure you already made plans for the money.
Paula Wade,
"Well I had hopes that I would be part of it. Its not like I'm claiming all the money because I know I am not the only person who made the call."
Wade admits that she hasn't given a formal report or even her name to the police but says she will.
