Last week the Novelo brothers, Tony and David, faced the Novelo's receivership's manager Bob Garcia on national television right here on Channel 7. Last night it was the sequel on the Mek Wave and Lik Road Show which pit Tony Novelo versus Bob Garcia and Froylan Gilharry. It was a contentious 90 minutes and the first flare-up came just minutes into the show with Tony Novelo arguing that the receivership collapsed because of poor management. It remained heated until the end when the general told Novelo to "shut up." Here are a few fiery highlights from last night's show.
Tony Novelo: They had twenty two months and they failed, the receiver. He is an employee. I will not accept you saying that. We had accounting and finances.
[Back and Forth]
Mike Peyrefitte: In the proposed use of the $30 million, there was a million dollars allocated for the installation of a new mechanical section for Belize City, Belize to service incoming vehicles from Dangriga, Punta Gorda, and Benque. There was supposed to be a mechanical section building in Dangriga for $350,000; a mechanical section for Corozal for $350,000; mechanical section for Benque for $350,000; automated tools for garage for such as air compressors $1.5 million. Tony Novelo is saying that they received the $30 million but when you got the receivership you didn't receive any of these things?
Bob Garcia: Asked him if he bought them.
Mike Peyrefitte: Did you buy these things Tony?
Tony Novelo: Man I said already, he is Johnny Come Lately. He came to salvage $30 million, that's the job, not him but Kevin Castillo. Listen to me, I've said already on this show that we left financials and we left documentations. I didn't come here to discuss who is better management. The question is answered in the audited financials, everything is there. I've been saying in previous shows that this is not a $30 million question, we left a company worth $90+ million. Assets is not only tools and garages, we are talking about properties, televisions, sofa sets...
Mike Peyrefitte: So why weren't you able to pay back your loan then?
Tony Novelo: Well we said it already, there was a structural problem.
Bob Garcia: The loan actually ballooned from $30 million, in fact the total debt that the receivership management took over was more $53 million as against $30 million.
Michael Finnegan: If they were not paying, Income Tax and the different government agencies weren't going after them?
Bob Garcia: From my position, it certainly didn't appear so.
Tony Novelo: Have you paid those items? Have you paid Social Security, have you paid...
Bob Garcia: The receivership has remained current from the time it took over in the case of Social Security and has...
Tony Novelo: We have thirteen drivers just fired who did not get paid Social Security.
Michael Finnegan: Tony let the man finish.
Michael Finnegan: So I will lend you $30 million and you will say I am not giving you a fair shake? What more shake than that you want?
Froylan Gilharry: They did not lend me $30 million.
Michael Finnegan: I am not saying you, you said the Novelo's didn't get a fair shake. I am saying they have gotten $30 million from out of the government of Belize and DFC's money is poor people's money and you are telling me that the government didn't give the Novelo's them a fair shake. It doesn't make any sense to me what you are saying.
Tony Novelo: Michael first of all, first of all Michael you are a lawyer. Don't listen to yerriso you know, get your facts right. The General is telling you we didn't pay and you better not repeat because you will be held accountable as well. Please man, please.
Tony Novelo: All I want is a break to reveal my plan.
Michael Finnegan: I was helping you just now but you went to ask the General a question. You walked into an ants nest.
Tony Novelo: But he hasn't answered the question.
Bob Garcia: If you would shut up, then I will answer it.
Tony Novelo: Quickly, tell me.
You can see a repeat of the Mek Wave and Lik Road show beginning at 10 am on Sunday morning right here on Channel 7.
