‘False, Baseless, Malicious And Scandalous’ – Hilaire Speaks On CIP Fraud Claims

On Wednesday night, Investment Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire defended Saint Lucia’s Citizenship By Investment Programme (CIP) against fraud allegations. His defence came in a statement which appears on the Government Youtube page. Hilaire described allegations by United Workers Party (UWP) leader Allen Chastanet and MSR Media’s Phillipe Martinez as concerning. “It is concerning that the United Workers Party and, in particular, the leader of the opposition, Mr. Allen Chastanet, has aligned himself with this individual who has clearly embarked on a quest to destroy Saint Lucia and the CIP, our visa-free arrangements and corresponding banking relationships by making false, baseless, malicious and scandalous accusations of fraud and corruption in the CIP in Saint Lucia where there is none,” the Investment Minister declared. Hilaire explained that Saint Lucia undertakes a rigorous due diligence process regarding each CIP applicant. He disclosed that United States and United Kingdom firms review the applicants, with further due diligence by law enforcement and the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC). The JRCC is a sub-agency of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementing Agency for Crime and Security. The investment Minister said the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration does not use Chinese due diligence firms. However, Hilaire noted...