Derek Achong
A Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) manager has called for an independent investigation into allegations that senior officials attempted to influence him to manipulate his investigation into an employee, accused of allowing an unauthorised person to use a company vehicle. Lawyers representing Lancelot Lezama made the call in a legal letter sent last Friday, to recently appointed WASA chairman Ravindra Nanga and its chief executive officer Sherland Sheppard.
While the correspondence, obtained by Guardian Media, contained the names of officials identified by Lezama and his attorneys, the names were withheld by this newspaper as the allegations against them are defamatory and are yet to be proven in court. In the correspondence, obtained by Guardian Media, Lezama’s lawyers claimed that on February 9, he was appointed to investigate alleged misconduct committed by an employee. Lezama, who was experienced in conducting such investigations on the State utility’s behalf, performed his duties and submitted his report on March 4. His lawyers claimed that the following day, he was called into a meeting with two of the authority’s industrial relations officials. They claimed that Lezama was urged to contact the employee and convince him to confess to his alleged wrongdoing. Lezama allegedly refused and requested that arrangements be made for the senior Government official, who made the allegation against the employee, to give a statement. “My client made it clear that without independent testimony he would be unable to find (name withheld) culpable, especially since the only direct witness testimony he obtained was from the accused himself and another, who both testified that no one else drove the vehicle other than (name withheld) that day,” Lezama’s lawyer Alana Rambaran said. “He (Lezama) expressed his discomfort and dissatisfaction about what appeared to be a conspiracy that was designed to manipulate the investigation, to justify a predetermined conclusion, in support of the allegation made by the Government official (name withheld)” she added. Despite his concerns, Lezama still contacted the employee in an attempt to have him confess. The employee allegedly maintained his position and such was reflected on Lezama’s amended final report. Lezama’s lawyers claimed that he was again asked to change his findings. They claimed that after he refused once again he was summoned in a meeting with a senior executive in the presence of his secretary. Lezama’s attorneys claimed that he was questioned over his testimony in a separate case over a security contract with a third party, which the authority lost in court, and then about his investigation into the employee. They claimed that Lezama reported the alleged improper instructions he had received in relation to the investigation but was still questioned over his findings. “He kept pressuring my client with a view to getting him to falsify his report,” Rambaran claimed, as she noted that Lezama refused. In the letter, Lezama’s lawyers suggested that the allegations should be referred to the Commissioner of Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as the officials’ alleged conduct may constitute misbehaviour in public office and/or perverting the course of justice. They also requested information from the company regarding the issue including the minutes of the meeting Lezama allegedly had with the senior executive. The authority was given 30 days in which to provide the information, requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and seven days in which to initiate an internal investigation. “Our client reserves his right to bring these matters contained herein to the attention of the TTPS and DPP,” Rambaran said. Guardian Media understands that while Lezama’s attorneys received confirmation that the letter was received, they did not get a response up to late yesterday.
