BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FINANCE MINISTER Dr. Terrance Drew has confirmed that a legal matter is ensuing between the St. Kitts and Nevis Development Bank and its former General Manager.
The former General Manager, Lenworth Harris, who was fired, has sued the Bank for wrongful termination of service and the financial institution has countersued him.
This was confirmed by Prime Minister Dr. Drew during Monday’s (Nov. 20) sitting of the National Assembly, where he said: “I therefore must inform you that Mr. Lenworth Harris, the former General Manager of St.Kitts and Nevis Development Bank has filed a lawsuit against the Bank alleging wrongful dismissal.”
This disclosure resulted from the revelation that following a first round of audit, the Government had found that $20 million could not be accounted for.
“This legal action seeks hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation for his termination. As your Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, I assure you that the Bank is treating this matter with the utmost seriousness. The Development Bank plays a crucial role in our nation’s economic development and any legal dispute involving its former General Manager is a matter of public concern,” Dr. Drew said while emphasizing that the Government is committed to “upholding the principles of transparency and accountability”.
The Prime Minister disclosed that the Bank in return would defend itself from the claims of the former General Manager and would seek to recover its financial losses.
In his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Drew said he guarantees that “Development Bank will vigorously defend itself against Mr. Harris’ claims”.
“The Bank has also counterclaimed to recover the large sums of money missing from the Bank’s accounts and lost due to practises that were in breach of the Development Bank Act,” PM Drew added.
Though no date was disclosed on when the matter would be heard in court, Dr. Drew noted that the legal proceedings are “aimed at addressing the various matters involving the gross mismanagement of the Development Bank that have come to light recently”.
The Government is also seeking to recover “every penny lost and taken from the Development Bank. The truth behind the financial irregularities will be fully ventilated in the High Court and will pursue all available legal avenues to hold those accountable for their actions,” PM Drew said.
