Developing Story: Major Sex Abuse Case Exploding in Dominica

Update 10:00pm EST:

We're sure you've noticed that we pulled the updates earlier on this ongoing investigation of the alleged case of abuse of a minor in Dominica. We made a decision to limit coverage on this developing story to a few known facts surrounding the case, for good reason. The case has not been adjudicated and therefore, we have chosen to limit exposure so as not to prejudice its integrity. Too much information in the public domain could potentially impact negatively on the progress of the investigation. Furthermore, as sordid as the details of this case is, we do not want to mire ourselves in the salaciousness of it.

What is known at this point is that a report has been made to the police on the possible abuse of a 14-year old minor. Implicated in this is a well-known business man, a government minister and a member of the opposition. Police sources have confirmed to us the existence of the report. The business man and the government minister are accused of having contact of a sexual nature with the minor; the member of the opposition has not been accused or implicated in any illegal or criminal activity relating to this case. Our contact within the government has corroborated the reports we have received from the police.

As of this update, the case and subsequent investigations remain active. Contrary to reports circulating in social media, we do not have evidence to suggest that there has been a payout of hush money, although considering who the primary individuals involved are, it would not be far-fetched to believe propositions of that nature have occurred. Nor do we have evidence to corroborate allegations of a cover up, destruction of evidence, and threats against family members. However this case unfolds, it will be a big story in Dominica. The authorities would be best advised to handle this fairly and judiciously. This cannot be swept under the rug. We do find it peculiar, however, that this has surfaced on the eve of a pending case in the courts. That too we're keeping an eye on.

We can assure you that we are not shying away from this; we're simply doing our part in ensuring that prosecution of this and other similar developing cases are adjudicated without prejudice. We will inform you of further developments as they arise.

Skerrit: Dominica is an EU member

PM Roosevelt Skerrit

Roosevelt Skerrit, without informing the EU and on a whirlwind tour of India after being given a certificate declaring that he's a doctor, is reportedly on record telling his Indian hosts that Dominica is a member of the European Union and should they avail themselves of a Dominican citizenship, they could use that to push their manufactured goods on to the European market.

The report is contained in a February 23rd news clip from the newspaper "Tribune India" (www.tribuneindia.com).  

"Emphasising the need to improve the bilateral trade relations between India and Dominica, Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica in the Caribbean islands, today said his country being a European Union (EU) member could provide a huge boost to India’s indigenous industry. He added that Indian exporters by availing its dual citizenship programme could push their products into the European market.

He was here to attend the convocation of Lovely Professional University (LPU). As a tribute to his distinguished services, Skerrit was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Literature by the university." — TNS

We've been unfortunate to discover a myriad of Mr. Skerrit's lies and quite frankly, this is not surprising at all. Dominicans really need to realize that we're the laughing stock of the Caribbean; Mr. Skerrit and his lies reflect on all of us. This cancer needs to be removed. If it isn't, we're all going to regret it in the end.

Pomp and Circumstance: The Conqueror Returns

Music Lovers Band. Photo courtesy Dominica News Online

Breaking News out of Dominica tonight. I have been reliably informed that the Music Lovers Government Band is scheduled to be dispatched to the Melville-Hall / Douglas-Charles Airport next Tuesday, March 1st, to be part of a Guard of Honor welcoming home newly-minted Doctor the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, conquering hero of Dominica. It's not funny.

I'm waiting for further details that I may be able to share with you. In the meantime, we're hoping the good people of Marigot find a way to welcome Doctor the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit in a manner not unlike what was visited upon former prime minister Patrick Roland John in 1979.

Skerrit at Ole Miss

PM Skerrit at the Taj Mahal

We'd like to update a story from yesterday regarding prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit's assertion that he is a graduate of the University of Mississippi.

You will recall that we noted that Mr. Skerrit does not appear in the official 1997 yearbook of the university and we wondered whether that was because he may not have graduated there as he claims. We've received a reply on this.

I can tell you that the university has confirmed to us that Mr. Skerrit did graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Psychology in August 1997. Confirmation was received in the form of a series of emails between myself and the head of the university's Transcript Office in the Registrar's department.

The topic of Mr. Skerrit's academic credentials have been the subject of much debate over the years, and his silence on the matter has only fed such speculation. Furthermore, Mr. Skerrit is known to dispense lies and falsehoods in abundance, at any given opportunity, which is for him whenever he is awake. It is only natural, therefore, to disbelieve him instinctively. 

Congratulations are in order for Mr. Skerrit and we'd like to tell him that it was our pleasure in helping to dispel this rumor.

Have You No Shame Sir?

Dr. Lennox Honychurch

I picked up something in the US; a little expression they use when they witness something so incredulous that they're instantly at a loss for words. "You gotta be shitting me". That came to mind when I saw a post by one of the biggest chickens that have ever flown the coop, Dr. Lennox Honychurch.

Dr. Honychurch is on Facebook touting a report by the CDB, (a report that he doesn't produce), that supposedly says that Dominica is expected to be in the top three economic performers in the Caribbean in 2016. Here's a snippet of Dr. Honychurch's post.

"Addressing the CDB’s annual media conference this morning, Director of Economics Dr Justin Ram further poured cold water on the Barbados Government’s forecast by stating that the island was not expected to be among the leading performing regional economies for 2016. The top three are the Turks and Caicos Islands, which is due to record the highest rate of growth (5.4 per cent), followed by St Kitts and Nevis at 4.5 per cent and Dominica at 3.9 per cent economic expansion".

Dr. Honychrch's Facebook Post

Dr. Honychurch is well aware that Dominica's economy contracted -2.7% in 2015 while the economies of all the other countries expanded, at various levels. Coming on Facebook to fool people ought to be above this man, but what can we expect from a man who failed to voice his disapproval of the pending destruction of his life's work at the Cabrits National Park by Roosevelt Skerrit. Dr. Honychuch is clearly trying to give the impression that our economy is about to massively expand, outpacing our regional counterparts, but that is a red herring. 

Dr. Honychurch, in the likely event that you have lost a grasp of reality, let me remind you that Dominica's economy was already in a hole when it suffered that -2.7% contraction, which meant that we dropped into a deeper hole. Therefore, 3.9% growth translates to a few steps on the ladder in attempting to get out of that deep hole; it is not a sign of a booming economy ahead. Cut the bullshit, please.

Caribbean Economic Stats: Photo courtesy Dominica News Online

I couldn't escape the irony firmly embedded in Dr. Honychurch's post; he chose to use as the backdrop of his claim, the very same Cabrits National Park that he abandoned and fled from on his way to a comfortable job in Barbados. Have you no shame sir?

Images attached to Dr. Honychurch's Facebook post

Doctor Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit

Dr. Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit

Dominica, and in particular, Labourites are abuzz about an award granted to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, with some praising this as a recognition of great achievements throughout his life. Let me set this straight; this "doctorate" is nothing. Considering that Kermit the Frog has one too, so what does that say about Mr. Skerrit's "doctorate"?

It has been amusing to see the praises that have decended upon Mr. Skerrit. His wife, Melissa, posted on her Facebook profile that Mr. Skerrit has "attained" the doctorate. Attained? Does Melissa know what that word means? This is embarassing.

Melissa Poponne-Skerrit's Facebook commendations

I grew very concerned when more than a few faithful Labourites began hinting that they may seek medical attention from Mr. Skerrit, one even going so far to say that she's awaiting his return so that he can administer to her an injection. What she needs is a mental examination.

This entire controversy has caused us to revisit Mr. Skerrits' stated academic record. He has stated, and it is listed on his official profile, that he first attended New Mexico State University and then transferred to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he graduated with Honors in English and Psychology in 1997. To verify, I contacted the registrars office at Ole Miss today and was directed to the University's 1997 Yearbook, which was available on their website.

Ole Miss 1997 Yearbook Cover

Mr. Skerrit is not listed anywhere in the 1997 Ole Miss Yearbook. Looking at the list of seniors, Mr. Skerrit's name is non-existent. It also appears to have not existed on the list of Honors students that graduated that year.

Ole Miss 1997 Student List, "S" section. The list is alphabetized.

Ole Miss 1997 Seniors List, "S" photo section. The list is alphabetized.

Ole Miss 1997 Graduates List, "S" section. The list is alphabetized.

Mr. Skerrit's declaration that he is a graduate of Ole Miss is suspect. Veteran broadcaster Angelo Allen is on record of having offered a reward for anyone that can produce Mr. Skerrit's certificates; I believe Mr. Skerrit himself would have such difficulty.

In perusing the Yearbook, we did find one Dominican who attended the university in 1997. Her name is Regina Dudley and she resides in Florida. Ms. Dudley, we believe from the east coast village of La Plaine, appears in a photograph of her Sigma Alpha Iota sorority.

Photo of Sigma Alpha Iota Sorority with Ms. Dudley

Ms. Dudley is an accomplished Ole Miss graduate. It would be great if she could shed light on whether she knows of Mr. Skerrit's activities at Ole Miss which coincidently, was at the same time she attended the university.

In Living Colour, Our Layou River Hotel

Today, February 11th, 2016, concerned Dominicans paid a visit to ground zero, the site of the Layou River Hotel. Situated in the Layou Valley, this pristine environment was supposed to be developed into a magnificent hotel, enveloped in nature. Our passports were sold, over $100 million dollars collected, "concrete" was poured, Kieron Pinard-Byrne collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in no-performance fees, a Chinese investor Felix Chen was defrauded US$20 million dollars, Roosevelt Skerrit said that he was on his way to Macau see a Mr. Wu, aka Ng Lap Seng to "borrow" US$20 million dollars to pay back Felix Chen, US prosecutors indicate that Ng Lap Seng sent US$20 million dollars to Dominica but do not know how the money was spent, and what do we Dominicans get for all of this? Well, take a look at $120 million dollars of our passport money, in living colour. These haunting images courtesy Dominican citizens visiting their investment.