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Hon. Finnegan Says Easy Glen Hustled In His Name
posted (December 18, 2012)
Tonight a senior member of the UDP says two of the party's soldiers have gone rogue - and they're impersonating him to hustle money in his name.

UDP Party Whip Michael Finnegan says Goldbourne Adolphus known as Easy Glen has been calling government departments and business persons saying that he is Michael Finnegan and that he will send Easy Glen to pick up some money.

Finnegan claims his sideman is James Swazo known to us as the Chainsaw Man for the role he played in that Chainsaw debacle with a political sign back in 2007.

Finnegan told us it first came to his attention four weeks ago when he claims Glen went to the Minister of Works and his CEO - to pick up some money:

Hon. Michael Finnegan - Area Representative, Mesopotamia
"Both called me and said, 'Minister, the favor that you called for this morning, in connection with those boys in your area, we have looked after it, and they are right here with us, now. And we are going to deliver on what you asked for this morning.' I said, 'But which favor did I ask for?' He said, 'But the gentleman is right here with me. It's Goldburn Adolphus, better known as Easy Glenn, and one James Swazo.' Well, I told them, 'Deliver nothing to them, and give them nothing because I did not request any favor.' And I reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, but somehow, the Commissioner of Police failed to pick up these guys, when I was promised by him that he will look after it. But in fairness to the Commissioner of Police, he went out of the country the same day. So, the person that he gave the orders to in Belize City to look after it, because he was going out the country, apparently failed the Commissioner, and failed and me. But then, I got another call by the name of the Gentleman, Mr. Griffith, and he called and said to me that the gentlemen are here to pick up what you had asked for. I said, 'Ask for?' He said, 'You called me this morning, and asked for a monetary request.' I said, 'No, Mr. Griffith.' And Mr. Griffith, I tried to convince Mr. Griffith that it was not me, and he said that the gentlemen just left from here, and he gave them 'x' amount of dollars, some $2,000+. I said, 'No sir, I did not call you because that is not my style to call you and ask you for money."

And today he got another head-up from a company in Belmopan saying that he had gotten a similar call, this time for a Christmas party contribution and two men showed up to pick the money. The owner of the company called Special Effects, one Hamid got Finnegan's number and called to check if it was a legit inquiry.

Finnegan told us about the colourful cat and mouse game that followed:

Hon. Michael Finnegan
"And he called me, and he said that the gentlemen are here to pick up the thing, one James Swazo. He said, 'Didn't you call me on the phone just now?' It's Goldburn Adolphus, now, playing on the telephone to Hamid that he is Minister Finnegan. And I said to Hamid - I have never met him. Up to now, I don't know who Amid is. And I said to him, 'I didn't anybody to you either.' I said, 'I wonder if you can hold them until I get the police to come in there.' Hamid said that he would hold them. So, Hamid held James Swazo and the other guy. I don't know who he is, but the police took so damn long to answer their telephone, and took so long to take the call when you call them, that Swazo and the guy escaped. But, Hamid saw them got into a red taxi, and Hamid followed them all the way. So, Hamid trailed them on the road and told the police to follow him. And Hamid followed him as far as Cotton Tree, and turned back because he knew that the police had everything set up for them to have the police at mile 31 to stop them, hold them, and take them to the station. But apparently, they got out of the car before they got to Mile 31 because they were smart enough. So, the police in Belmopan notified Hattieville and Mile 4 by Belizean Beach to look out for them. Whether they don't find them there or not, the police will make an attempt to get Easy Glenn, and James Swazo, where they reside. And if the pin never bend, the story wouldn't have ended."

Jules Vasquez
"Are you in the habit of telephoning people to request favors? And if so, is he exploiting that known habit if yours?"

Hon. Michael Finnegan
"No, that is not my habit. The people who they called, I don't even know most of them."

Jules Vasquez
"How would you advise anyone who receives a call from Michael Finnegan requesting certain favors?"

Hon. Michael Finnegan
"That's why; I am glad that I have this interview to bring an end to whatever is happening. And, if I request a favor, and I am sending somebody to go to somebody, to pick up something for me. My runner is Yellow Man. They are a disgrace and shame to the United Democratic Party. They are a shame and disgrace and you know what happened to them? They don't want to work, but they want money."

Hamid told police he saw the men meet up with Easy Glen at the market after leaving his store.

And while entertaining, the story also provides a sobering commentary on the political culture and that building block of modern democracy called political contributions. But apart from that there's not much in terms of crime fighting.

No official report has been made - and as far as we could find out, these men are not actively being sought by Belmopan police.

We will try to locate Easy Glen for comment tomorrow.

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