We also wanted to ask him about that Memorandum of Understanding for the purported one hundred million dollar US dollar investment on an airport for northern Ambergris Caye.
The project has been drawing negative comments after the frontman, Jorge Jaen's credibility, absence of a track record in airport development, and personal history of alleged wrongdoing were brought into question.
A statement issued by International Airport Alliance says the company, quote, "was aware of this personal issue Mr. Jorge Jaen had in the past and still elected to allow him to join the Company. Our decision was based on factual documents the Company obtained showing that the allegations mentioned in the OIG's memorandum were unfounded and therefore, Mr. Jaen was never prosecuted." end quote.
Well, he must have been checking himself, because a search of the US records for this company - incorporated in Florida 14 months ago - shows that Jorge Jaen is one of only two persons named in company documents. The other is a dubiously named John Smith.
And while Jaen is a real estate agent by profession, according to Aviation Minister Junior Heredia, his group also works on airports:..
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"That group has a track record of doing several international airports including most recently in Curacao, recently completed."
We checked on the recent 35 million dollar Curacao International Airport terminal expansion project and it was undertaken by Curaçao Airport Partners - not International Airport Alliance - which has no website on its letterhead.
The PUP today issued a release saying, quote, "The revelations that the 'Airport Investor and Developer' (has) a shady past including allegations of major fraud....should also come as no surprise.
The release snarkily adds, "The PUP takes the opportunity to inform the Barrow Administration of a little-known investigative tool called Google, which can provide valuable information on these so-called investors who target Belize - perhaps simply because our leaders have gotten a name for being very gullible and/or easily bought and paid for."
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