The opposition UDP has been rocked by an expose of major land fraud - which allegedly occurred in Cayo Central during the term of former Minister of Works Rene Montero. This is according to documentation unearthed by the new minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde.
In Friday's House Meeting, he alleged that functionaries of Mointero operated a scheme where lands were put in the names of persons who had no idea their identities were being used. This was done by accessing their social security number and signature after these mostly needy persons applied for assistance under Christmas Cheer and other programs.
From there - the allegation is that lands would be put in these person's names without their knowledge and then allegedly flipped into the names of political, family, or company associates of Montero.
Again, that is the allegation laid out by Minister Hyde in the house, and corroborated by former UDP political operative Eddie de La Rosa - who worked closely with Montero.
De La Rosa alleges it happened to hundreds of people without their knowledge - an allegation which, if true would be consistent with a government closer to a kleptocracy than a democracy.
Today, the UDP party chairman and former ranking Minister Michael Peyrefitte said they cannot jump to conclusions based solely on the unproven allegations of a PUP Minister:
Michael Peyrefitte, Senator
"If people have evidence then bring the evidence, if there was any wrongdoing then they'll go from there but you can't just allege you have to bring evidence, then if the state decides that they want to make any move then Mr Montero has all rights."
"We will become concerned if and when credible evidence is produced, not just hearsay, not just innuendos, evidence. So we will look at the evidence then we will have a discussion on it and take a position on it. But like the party leader has made very clear, if anybody is found to be guilty of any wrongdoing in the past administration he will not be one to defend it because we must stand on principle as a political party because wrong is wrong however we are not going to crucify somebody who belongs to our party simply because a PUP says he was an allegedly guilty of something."
Again, this has been alleged also by Eddie De La Rosa, who for many years, was a UDP inside operator.
