4 months ago, we told you how BTL decided that they would appeal the Supreme Court Judgment that Corozal businessman Curtis Swasey won against them. That appeal was supposed to have been heard today, but it was canceled because one of the judges recused herself from the panel.
Swasey won his lawsuit against BTL and the owners of the Mek Mi Rich gameshow, Andre Vega and Sanjay Hotchandani. Justice Courtney Abel ruled in February of 2016 that Swasey's idea of lottery texting was given away to the Mek Mi Rich owners. The judge reasoned that it was employees of BTL who breached a confidentiality agreement and released his very profitable idea to Vega and Hotchandani.
BTL disagreed with the decision, and they filed an appeal, asserting that they did not breach confidentiality. In response, Swasey and his attorneys filed a cross-appeal, asking the judges to consider whether the $25,000-award in compensation was enough.
So, after preparing all that time to deliver their arguments, Swasey's attorneys, Eamon Courtenay and Kareem Musa, showed up along to court along with BTL's attorney, Magali Perdomo. They were greeted with the information that case could not proceed because Appeal Justice Hafiz-Bertram had recused herself.
After the very short hearing, we spoke to Swasey's attorneys outside of court.
Eamon Courtenay, SC - Attorney for Curtis Swasey
"We were called into chambers by the president and the judges and informed that one of the judges, Madam Justice Hafiz-Bertram, had recused herself, and therefore, there was not a compliment to hear the case. We need three judges, and so, there were only 2 left. And therefore, the matter has been adjourned to the next session, which will be in March of next year."
Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"Was there any reasons provided to you guys?"
Eamon Courtenay, SC
"No reason was given. They just said that there was a reason that she had given to the President and to the other judge why she would not sit."
Daniel Ortiz
"Mr. Swasey, can we get a short comment from you. It's been a number of months that this particular case has been winding its way through the court system. Would you?"
Curtis Swasey - Claimant
"No comment."
The case has been traversed to the next session of the Court of Appeal, which takes place in March 2018.
Reports to our newsroom suggest that a member of the judiciary may be renting a newly constructed residential property from Andre Vega.
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