‘My hands are clean’
Lucea Mayor Samuels upbeat after being cleared by Integrity Commission
AN INTEGRITY Commission (IC) investigation which has been taking place since 2020 into the action of Mayor of Lucea, Sheridan Samuels, is now closed, with no adverse findings.
Samuels, who has been serving in the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) as its chairman and mayor of Lucea since 2016, came under scrutiny from the IC following several postings on social media that he was involved in some underhand dealings.
The IC swooped down on the HMC in 2020 and seized several documents and electronic devices from councillors and officers within the corporation then, without any explanation as to what they were looking for.
Despite all that, Samuels managed to secure a second term as councillor representing the Cauldwell division in the HMC in the recently held local government elections, and has also secured the confidence of his fellow councillors to select him to serve a second term as chairman of the corporation and mayor of Lucea.
It was at the swearing-in ceremony of the seven People’s National Party (PNP) councillors in the HMC on Thursday when Samuels pointed out that he is happy his name has been cleared by the IC, and warned his naysayers who have been trying to damage his name and integrity that they cannot succeed.
“I have said it many times that my hands are clean, my heart is pure, what I have done is not for self, but a mandate from God himself,” Samuels stated after being sworn in as mayor for the new term.
He then drew out a letter from the IC, addressed to the chief executive officer (CEO) of the HMC, David Gardner, with the heading “Investigation concerning acts of impropriety, irregularity, conflict of interest, favouritism and/or nepotism, in award of contracts recommended by Sheridan Samuels on behalf of the Hanover Municipal Corporation”.
The letter is dated February 21, 2024.
The letter, under the signature of Kevon A. Stephenson, director of investigation, stated that the captioned investigation has been completed.
NO EVIDENCE
“Based on an examination of the documentary evidence which was provided, the director of investigation has seen no evidence to substantiate the allegations made,” the letter stated.
It continued, “Consequent on the above, the Commission hereby returns all the original documents and electronic devices which were sequestered during the period October to December 2020.”
“We acknowledge and appreciate your cooperation during the course of the investigation,” the letter concluded.
Samuels then went on to thank the administrative staff at the HMC and all its supporting agencies for the collaboration and cooperation that they have given him over the years.
He went on to quote a line from a Buju Banton song, who he claims is his favourite artiste. The line states, “It’s not an easy road; many see the glamour and the glitter and dem think is a bed of rose.”
“In spite of the many hurdles and the battles we face as a municipality, I am indeed happy that in the end my name and honour was restored,” Samuels stated.