Public Relations Officer Lenard ‘Spider’ Montoute addressed a recent lawsuit during a United Workers Party (UWP) press conference. The lawsuit was filed by St. Kitts-based Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) investor, MSR Media, against the government of St. Kitts, which also named Saint Lucia’s CIP CEO, Mc Claude Emmanuel, as a co-defendant. The suit, filed in Florida under the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleges that the Kittian government is complicit in illegal underselling of passports. Montoute highlighted the impact of the lawsuit on St. Lucia, stating that it has caused reputational damage, threatens national security, and could lead to complications for St. Lucian citizens traveling to the US, UK, EU, and Martinique.
Montoute emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the implications it holds for St. Lucia and its citizens. He expressed concern over the alleged underselling of St. Lucian passports for $65,000 by CIP investor Caribbean Galaxy, despite the legally set price of $100,000. Montoute warned of the potential consequences for St. Lucians including travel restrictions and legal complications if the US or other countries revoke visa access. He called on the government to address the situation promptly and take action against any officials involved in corrupt practices or illegal activities within the CIP program.
The government released a statement defending CIP CEO Mc Claude Emmanuel in response to the lawsuit. The statement clarified Emmanuel’s role in the efficient administration of the CIP Unit in accordance with government policies. It refuted claims made by Philippe Martinez, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, regarding Caribbean Galaxy Real Estate Limited’s operations in St. Lucia. The government highlighted that Caribbean Galaxy’s involvement in St. Lucia began under the United Workers Party Government in March 2018 and reiterated its stance against any discounting or underpricing of citizenship in the CIP.
The statement emphasized that the inclusion of the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programme in the lawsuit was an attempt to drag St. Lucia into a dispute between Caribbean Galaxy and the government of St. Kitts & Nevis. The government assured that it would defend its reputation against any false accusations and stood by the management of the CIP Unit by Mr. Mc Claude Emmanuel. The government’s response aimed to provide clarity on the timeline and approvals related to Caribbean Galaxy’s projects in St. Lucia and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the legislated investment sum for all successful CIP applicants.
Despite the government’s defense of Emmanuel and the CIP, Montoute criticized the authorities for ignoring warnings and red flags raised by the opposition regarding corrupt practices for almost two years. He urged the government to take immediate action to show that St. Lucia does not tolerate or engage in corrupt activities. The ongoing scandal under the Philip J Pierre administration has raised concerns about the integrity of the CIP program and the government’s handling of allegations. Montoute’s call for transparency and accountability reflects the growing unease within the public and political spheres regarding the implications of the lawsuit on St. Lucia’s reputation and CIP operations.
