7 News Belize

Serial Caller Slain By Record Defamation Award For PM
posted (May 23, 2014)
On the morning show circuit, Attorney Arthur Saldivar is known as the serial caller. It was meant as an insult by a political opponent - but Saldivar has embraced it, after all, the man loves his call in shows, and apparently has endless credit...and so he calls, and calls..and calls.

But one call he made in 2011 has gotten him in big trouble with the biggest man in town. On that day, Saldivar called in the KREM WUB Morning show and made specific allegations of corruption against Prime Minister Dean Barrow. We stress Saldivar says no one has proven he made the call.

But, Supreme Court Justice COURTNEY ABEL was satisfied that he did. The Prime Minister's law partner Rodwell Williams sued Saldivar, and he didn't present a defence in court. So, a default judgment was entered and it is the largest libel or defamation award in Belize's history. According to an order of the court issued two days ago, Saldivar must pay Prime Minister Dean Barrow fifty thousand dollars plus another ten thousand dollars in aggravated damages for what he said. He has to pay that 60 thousand dollars by July 31st. And he must also pay the PM's attorney - that's another $9,500 dollars - and that payment must be made by Monday May 26th.

It's a very stiff and costly come uppance for the outspoken Saldivar. Today we had a chance to ask him about it:..

Daniel Ortiz
"Can you give us a response to that?"

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney
"Well again, these are the processes of the court and again I stand by what said, I had no issue with Dean Barrow. I never said the things that they attributed to me, but...."

Daniel Ortiz
"But then why didn't you make a defense, a representation of the matters to defend yourself. We are told that it's a default judgment."

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney
"Yes it was a default judgment. I was never presented with anything to defend, but it is what it is and if it is the court has made that decision as you have rightly put, then I will discharge whatever debt I need to discharge."

Previously, the largest libel or defamation award known to us was for thirty five thousand dollars.

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