Part 8: Improper Payments as Inducements?

| [ Part 2 ] | [ Part 3 ] | [ Part 4 ]
[ Part 5 ] | [ Part 6 ] | [ Part 7 ] | [ Part 8 ] | [ Part 9 ]

In the competitive world of sport, business, politics and the art, of which the WICB is a combination of all the above; there should be little surprise that members of the WICB are constantly being scrutinized. The WICB is a public institution, which has operated in a private way, and as such; criticism, fair or unfair is to be expected. The tremendous explosion in media technology and the general vibrancy of the press has made not only the WICB and its officials target, but all persons who hold Public office a constant source for commentary.

It should be further noted that the Public has a right to examine the stewardship practices of public officials, elected or unelected who function on their behalf. This is common in most democracies, and the Caribbean is no different. However, Public officials should expect some level of respect for the offices they hold. They should also have a right of reply; and if necessary legal redress when their character and reputation is tarnished unfairly through libel and slander.

The constant criticism of Board officials by the press may not be justified in some instances, but it may be attributable to the perceived lack or limited level of transparency of the WICB. During the course of our deliberations, several witnesses expressed views, which clearly indicated a failure of the WICB to communicate adequately or appropriately. The ignorance of some Board members and officials on crucial aspects of the new sponsorship agreement with Digicel is testimony to this fact. If the WICB or any other Public organization fails to communicate adequately, there is always the possibility that journalists and the media will adopt methods and or approaches, which may be perceived as inappropriate or ill conceived.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of all WICB officials to conduct the affairs of the WICB in the most transparent, appropriate, orderly and principled manner; and be accountable for any actions or decisions made on the WICB'S behalf. It should be further expected that if there appears to be a conflict between their personal, private business affairs and the affairs of the WICB, questions will be asked, and should be asked by the people's representatives. In a democracy, it's the role of journalists, NGOs and politicians.

THE RENOVATION OF THE KENSINGTON CRICKET CLUB, JAMAICA

The renovation of the Kensington Cricket Club has become the focus of attention for several months; in light of the ongoing saga between the WICB, Digicel and C&W over the new sponsorship agreement. We have examined extensively the articles in the press in relation to this matter, and we have asked the WICB official who is directly involved in this matter.

Mr. Dave Cameron is the President of the Kensington Cricket Club. He is also one of two Directors of the Jamaica Cricket association on the Board of the WICB and Chairman of the WICB?s Marketing Committee. Mr. Cameron was deeply involved in the negotiation of the new sponsorship agreement between Digicel and the WICB.

The WICB new sponsorship agreement between Digicel and the WICB was signed on 5th July 2004. It was reported in the press that, within months of the signing of this agreement, Digicel financed the renovation of the Kensington Cricket Club. The Committee during its interview of Mr. Cameron on 15th July 2005 examined his role in this matter. Mr. Cameron verified that he was President of the Kensingston Cricket Club and that Digicel did in fact finance the renovation of the Ground of the Kensingston Club.

(NOTE: Click here to read more about the Kensington Park renovation).

In light of his role in the negotiations of the new sponsorship agreement, the committee felt that there were legitimate concerns which required examination. In our view Mr. Cameron's approach to Digicel was ill advised because it could be reasonably perceived as a conflict of interest. The financing of the Club renovation was bound to raise the question of inducements, and or improper payments; particularly in the charged atmosphere during and after the negotiations of the new sponsorship agreement. The short space of time, which elapsed between the signing of the sponsorship agreement and the financing of the Club has raised a legitimate concern in our view.

It should be noted that Mr. Cameron stated that several potential sponsors were approached to finance the Kensington Cricket Club renovation, including C&W, but no other sponsor was willing assist.

OTHER CONCERNS

During the course of our deliberations, verbal representations were made with respect to improper inducements and or payments. The Committee was told by a witness that his agent was approached with a potential offer of $1,500,000 of his local currency to silence him and his organization on the new sponsorship affair.

A witness testified that he was approached by vested interest in the affair, and offers were made to his client, which were highly irregular and improper in his and his client's view. The refusal of his client has resulted in a whispering campaign to damage his client's reputation.

This Committee should not only to be fair, but also should be seen to be fair; and can only make pronouncements on the basis of tangible, reliable and or compelling evidence. The Committee has had representation by persons with allegations of improper inducements, which are extremely serious if true. However, they have provided no hard evidence to support their allegations, and as such the committee has given no credence to those allegations.

Whether Board members accepted improper payments and or inducements is a serious matter, and should be treated as such. The weight of such evidence should be cogent, compelling and convincing if the Committee is expected to treat it seriously, in light of the consequences, which may ensue if such a case were proven. The Committee has no evidence which shows that members of the WICB accepted improper payments. We are of the view however that the decision of Mr. Dave Cameron to engage Digicel to finance the Kensington Cricket Club renovation was ill conceived and has cultivated suspicion with respect to improper inducements.

SIMON CROSSKILL

The Committee also felt it important that we consider a press report by Jamaican journalist Mr. Simon Crosskill. The press report advised of a number of discrepancies in various interviews held with the CEO of the WICB.

(NOTE: Click here to read Simon Crosskill's commentary on discrepancies in Brathwaite's answers).

The Committee questioned the CEO about his apparent changing of his answers to questions put to him by Mr. Crosskill. Mr. Brathwaite's evidence is that on both occasions whilst speaking to Mr. Crosskill there was a bad telephone line and Mr. Crosskill did not hear his complete answer. Mr. Brathwaite recalled that at some points during the conversation, the phone line would drop, such that one party had to redial the other. He also stated that it was a clear misunderstanding in communication between himself and Mr. Crosskill.

When he was further questioned as to what steps he had taken since the story had been published, he advised that he had taken up the issue with Mr. Crosskill who promised a retraction. Since there has been none to date, the CEO promised he would follow up with Mr. Crosskill on this.

The Committee later spoke to Mr. Crosskill and we raised the subject to be able to assess Mr. Brathwaite's evidence. When questioned, Mr. Crosskill was adamant that his interview with Mr. Brathwaite was clearly answered by Mr. Brathwaite in finality and left no doubt in his mind that there was any misunderstanding. Mr. Crosskill went on to state that he had taped recorded evidence that the answers provided by Mr. Brathwaite were in finality. The committee did not hear the tape recorded evidence, but felt it important that we disclose the divergence in evidence.

* In the final installment, the sponsorship negotiations review committee offers a list of recommendations for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

** Dave Cameron's photo taken from Jamaica Cricket Association's Web site.