OCG mum on PNP campaign money scandal

The Office of the Contractor General (OCG) is remaining mum on whether it will investigate claims that Chinese firms doing business here usually pay an agent fee to persons appointed by government ministers to receive kickbacks.

Since this latest claim in the People’s National Party (PNP) campaign money scandal, there have been calls for the OCG to investigate.

Contacted by The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre this afternoon, Contractor General Dirk Harrison, said he had no comment on whether his office has taken an interest in the case.

However, Harrison does not typically comment on cases his office is probing until they are completed.

The hierarchy of the Jamaica Constabulary Force has already said an investigation could be launched into the PNP campaign money scandal, if the corruption allegations are credible.

LISTEN: Portia Simpson Miller on PNP campaign scandal at www.soundcloud/JamaicaGleaner

A high-ranking cop told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre that the police have the power to initiate any investigation without being invited to do so.

It is understood that already there have been discussions within the force and they could continue when Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams returns to the island on Friday.

Meanwhile, up to late Wednesday, the Police Fraud Squad had not opened an investigation into allegations that senior members of the PNP who collected millions of dollars to finance the party's election campaign have failed to turn over the money.

The Fraud Squad said no one from the PNP had come forward and made a report to the police.