Acting Mayor Dion Leslie has said the council will issue its findings by the end of this week. The council is believed to still have divided loyalties, with councillors Wayne Usher, Dean Samuels, Phillip Willoughby and Roger Espejo traditionally considered to be Moya loyalists. But with Moya out of office, the writing on the wall is getting large and graphic, and today when we spoke to Espejo, he made it clear which side he’s on. Councillor Willoughby said more or less the same thing yesterday.
Jules Vasquez,
“Where do you stand on this entire dispute about the Mayor, I shouldn’t say the Mayor, the finance department and under-deposits authorized by finance department?”
Roger Espejo, City Councillor
“Jules you couldn’t have asked an easier question. I stand on the side of the people and on the side of the law.”
Jules Vasquez,
“In this case that means that if wrongdoing was committed, those persons should be held liable to the full extent of the law?”
Roger Espejo,
“They should be held liable, they should go to jail, if necessary, they should be held accountable.”
Jules Vasquez,
“Is it your feeling that the finance department did this under-depositing under the instruction, approval, or consent of the mayor?”
Roger Espejo,
“That has yet to be seen. We have been having hearings since the report came out. We’ve had hearings as late as yesterday. As you know the Mayor is on maternity leave so we have not officially discussed any of these findings of this report with the Mayor. We have discussed with other members of the finance team.”
Phillip Willoughby, City Councillor
“Any matter that reveals, that has to do with tax payers, I will be there representing the people’s interest; no matter who it is, what it is, or where it is. It is not a matter of taking sides, I believe it is a matter of interest and that is why you were there also. It wasn’t just because of the news, it is because it is people’s money and if I am the vanguard of the people and I need to defend the people, I will be present. Now where we decide whether an action is immoral, criminal and so forth I won’t stand for that if it is that.
If there was improprieties we won’t stand behind in front of them and take a bullet for them. If they were improprieties then those persons have to be dealt with under the law.”
Mayor Moya – who is nursing a 5 days old son - claims she has not seen the report and will not comment until she has reviewed and discussed it with the council.
