Port of Spain; Minister of National Security Jack Warner is in the news once more, this time he has been found to have committed fraud through which he enriched himself in his dealings in international football. This is just another accusation added to the long list that is being made against Mr. Warner.
According to a Reuters report, delegates response to the news was not very pleasant, one delegate described Warner and Chuck Blazer, former general secretary of Concacaf as "white collar thieves".The report was revealed by Sir David Simmons, head of CONCACAF's integrity committee, who was appointed to investigate as follows:
- Ownership of the US$25.9 million Dr Joao Havelange Centre of Excellence at Macoya
- An apartment in Trump Plaza
- Whereabouts of funds generated from a contract between Concacaf and UMBRO-an English sports wear and football equipment supplier based in Manchester England.
- Two apartments in Miami and a Hummer, a luxury SUV.
- Employment contract of former general secretary Blazer and the provisions of contract
- Concacaf's failure to pay taxes and file tax returns
- Completeness and accuracy of Concacaf's finances and audits
However, Warner is describing the allegations as baseless and malicious because according to him Concacaf's report is of no concern to him. "If after 20 years of being the president of CONCACAF all its committee could have found is some baseless claim against me involving the Centre of Excellence then I will continue to sleep very soundly at nights," he said.
Warner boasted that just one week ago individuals of Concacaf's body called to ask his opinion on CCN's accreditation to cover the Congress stated in his release. "I left CONCACAF and turned my back on the football two years ago, since then I have had no interest in any football related matter" he said.
Mr Warner went on to say "I am advised that the matter is a contractual matter for which my lawyers are dealing with separate and apart from any CONCACAF organized committee" "not withstanding that, it does seem ironical that CONCACAF had been paying rent for a property all these years which, according to them, belonged to CONCACAF. In addition, it is also alarming that FIFA would invest in a property that is neither owned by them, CONCACAF, or the local football body in clear violation of their statutes, inclusive of Goal statutes and regulations," he stated
Warner was present in Parliament yesterday but left during the sitting and did not return, when asked about his departure Government leader Roodal Moonilal, said Warner was at a meeting with the officials of the Housing Ministry.
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