Immigration Officers Sharon Neal-Flowers, Erwin Robinson and Omar Phillips, all from the Passport Section of the Immigration Department, are at home tonight, patiently awaiting the decision of the Public Service Commission as to whether or not they will be terminated as public officers.
These officers, you will recall, are the same ones who were suspended following the unearthing of the Citizen Kim Scandal. Director of Immigration Maria Marin recommended them for termination in January. After weeks of waiting to defend themselves against the allegations that they had a hand in getting fraudulent passport issued to Won Hon Kim, they got their opportunity today before a Commission Tribunal in Belmopan.
The hearing was held behind closed doors, and after 3 hours, it was all over after one witness testified against them. Oswald Twist, attorney for Robinson and Phillips, spoke to the media afterwards, and he told us that he's confident about the case they presented on behalf of the Immigration officers:
Oswald Twist - Attorney for Immigration Officers
"We met at about 9:30 with the Commission. The head of the Commission is Mr. Pat Bernard. Immigration presented their case. The CEO Ms. Saldivar, along with Maria Marin. Marin was the only witness that was called, and we were given the opportunity to cross exam her on various issues. At the end of the day, the Commission will make their decision as the guilt or innocences of these persons. But, from a legal stand point, I believe that we presented a good case, and I think that the eventual outcome will be favorable to our clients. The report is basic. It involves the passport with Mr. Kim, and they say that the officers were negligent in processing the passport. That was the basical allegation agianst all 3 of the officers, but we don't see the allegation as being something really serious. There may have been errors in judgment, but not sufficient evidence of negligence to have them dismissed from the service, certainly not from my perspective atleast."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Could you tell if t he name of the Former Minister of State Elvin Penner, was brought up at the hearing this morning?"
Oswald Twist
"Well, at some point in time, his name came up, but just briefly, nothing much."
Mike Rudon
"So you wouldn't be able to tell us in what context he came up?"
Oswald Twist
"Well the only thing that was said was that he brought the person, Mr. Kim. That's what came up - Well, I shouldn't say Mr. Kim, but the person he brought to the office. I can't say that it was Mr. Kim, but he brought a person to the office. And that is no secret. A person was there a long with Mr. Penner."
The Public Service Commission will deliver its judgment at a date to be announced. Sharon Neal-Flowers was represented at the tribunal by attorney Andrea McSweaney McKoy.
One man who didn't attend the hearing is Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse. On Monday, he told the media why he was asked not to attend:
Hon. Godwin Hulse - Minister of Immigration
"Well, I hope I would have been there, but I have gotten a letter from the Commission saying that I am not supposed to be there. It's a question that we have put the Sol Gen for reasons unknown. I am understanding - and this is via rumour, and I don't like rumors - that the attorneys for the people think that I am an intimidating figure. Now please, all of you know me, do I look intimidating? But, what is true - and I will say this categorically - whether I am there or not, none of the officers can ever use the excuse that they had pressure from a Minister. Let me tell you this - and please show it on tonight's news - on Thursday, September 5, at 4:05 exactly, I had Ms. Marin, the Deputy, now holding Director, the CEO Mrs. Candelaria Saldivar and Ms. Sharon Neal in my office. The reason was that Ms. Marin was going on a few days' leave and would have returned on the Wednesday. So, I brought Ms. Neal in to make sure that she understood that she had my full unequivocal support. Indeed, in that discussion, she said, 'Minister, I am relieved because I wouldn't want to have the breath -' and I said, 'Ms. Neal' - and all of you know this - 'If it is God, if it is the Prime Minister; if it is no matter who it is ever comes to you with any nonsense, including Mr. Penner, please call me.' I didn't say, brace them. I said call me, and I will forthright deal with it. And Ms. Marin said, 'I can support that because whenever I've called the Minister with anything' - and yes, there Minister who go to Immigration - 'Man, you all are not doing your work. Please bring this'. She called me and said, 'This is happening'. I said, 'Put the breaks on the Minister, and I will deal with him in Cabinet.' And so, she says, 'I can assure you, Mrs. Neal, you have the Minister's support.' Every officer knows that. Ms. Pacheco knows that. Mr. Wade knows that. Every officer knows that, so there is no excuse that there was pressure from any minister because all they had to do is call me."
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