The Senate Special Select Committee had another public hearing in Belmopan today. They picked up where they left off with testimony from star witness David Gegg. He earned that star status because the senate probe is all about his Portico project - and unlike so many other witnesses who have hidden behind their lawyers - Gegg has been very open - like a tour guide showing off his proudest attraction.
But to use a weather analogy - today the sea conditions changed from light chop to rough.
That happened when Chair Janelle Chanona finished the session with what she called a few "clean up" questions. That turned into a withering 40 minute cross examination of a witness who turned hostile more than once.
We pick this one about 15 minutes in - where Gegg likened the Senate inquiry into a sort of witch-hunt when he had done nothing wrong:
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"Because I know I've done nothing wrong."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"According to your definitions."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I know that I have done nothing wrong."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"Okay and that is what you feel that is at play here that people are accusing you of doing something wrong?"
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"No they're accusing other people are doing something wrong."
Janelle Chanona
"As in signing the definitive agreement?"
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"No."
Janelle Chanona
"So are you collateral damage?"
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"The launching a senate probe after a letter from Waterloo two days later without sharing it with your social partners."
Janelle Chanona
"Mr. Gegg I will caution you that I have warned you earlier and if you continued down this line making baseless accusations, you will need to hire a new council to defend you, so please be careful."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"They are not baseless. Let me remind you..."
Janelle Chanona
"Produce your evidence please produce your evidence."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"Let me remind you I am here as a guest of this senate inquiry."
Janelle Chanona
"And I am the chair."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I am not here under the powers provision ordinance I am here as an invitee."
Janelle Chanona
"Mr. Gegg produce your evidence or apologize, I will wait."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I will wait for you to apologize."
Janelle Chanona
"Produce your evidence or apologize."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"What evidence you want me to produce that I'm here as an invitee?"
Janelle Chanona
"Give me your baseless your evidence to counter that this is a baseless accusation that you have made. Please take a minute take off your microphone confirm...."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"Senator, your colleagues have said to me that you have not shared with them the Waterloo letter of June 8th. Now if you want to admit..."
And that's where the audio was cut…..which led to a 90 second break for Gegg to consider his options - and after he did - he still had no apology:
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee "How would you like to proceed, Mr. Gegg? Would you apologize?"
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I am not apologizing."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"Sure. We will handle that separately."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I'm here as an invitee and not under the powers, privilege, ordinance 62, 1962. Can you believe that? We didn't even have independence in 1962. And you are quoting ordinance 1962 when you were ruled by colonial masters. That was 62 years ago, 42 years after independence."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"Are you telling the Senate that what has been declared as good law is not good law?"
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I am telling them that it's unacceptable that ordinance 1962 is still being used today."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"That is, what was your words earlier? That is not my fault."
David Gegg, Owner - Portico
"I am here as an invited guest."
Janelle Chanona, Chair - Special Select Committee
"I have afforded you the opportunity to apologize. We move on. You have declined to apologize. That's on the record."
