With their North Abaco candidate, Greg Gomez, under fire following a Guardian Radio interview that aired yesterday, officials of the Free National Movement (FNM) last night released a statement saying they have evidence to support his claim that he taught in Miami Dade County, although they did not provide it despite several requests. In the interview, which was taped on Tuesday, Gomez said that he did not remember where he taught when he lived in the United States, but he later called back and provided the names of three schools.
The FNM said last night it is "aware of malicious allegations" being made against Gomez. "Reports coming to the attention of the leadership of the FNM suggest that some in the media and in government circles allege that Mr. Gomez was never employed in the Florida school system." "...The FNM confirms that it has evidence verifying that the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Education Certification, issued Mr. Gomez with a certificate attesting to his qualification as a teacher of Business Education for Grades 6-12."
That statement said the leadership of the FNM has also had sight of pay slips evidencing Gomez's employment at three different middle schools in South Florida over a four-year period -- as a substitute teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Miami, and a full-time teacher at Carol City Middle School in Carol City, Florida, and at the Lawton Chiles Middle School." It is unclear whether the party will make public the evidence it says it has. A request was made to FNM Acting Chairman Darron Cash and other officials. Last night, FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis said he was in a meeting and could not talk.
The Nassau Guardian made inquiries yesterday and has not yet been able to independently confirm whether Gomez worked at those schools at any period. The secretary in the office at Carol City Middle School-- where Gomez said during the interview that he taught for two years -- said she does not remember a Greg Gomez, but would have to check their records to be sure. A registrar at Lawton Chiles Middle School -- where Gomez also said he taught for two years -- also said she did not remember him in the eight years she was there, but would also have to check the school's records. Secretary to the principal of Thomas Jefferson Middle School said she too does not remember a Greg Gomez in her six years at the school and would also check the school's records.
They did not provide the results of their record checks up to press time. Gomez was unable to provide The Guardian with the dates he worked at the schools or any specifics on how long he has lived outside The Bahamas before returning last August. Gomez said on his candidate's declaration form that he is an educator. He said in the interview he is also a minister and his only source of income last year, and now, are the "love offerings" he receives from speaking at different churches. On his declaration form, he listed a "salary" of $28,000. He said that represents the love offerings he received. Minnis has said Gomez is currently "fully employed" with the North Abaco campaign.
Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham delayed his retirement from politics in July so that Gomez could meet the constitutional requirement for candidates to be ordinarily resident in The Bahamas for at least a year prior to nomination. Ingraham also said Gomez had a story to tell about how he was victimized by the Progressive Liberal Party government. Last night, the FNM said, "As to Mr. Gomez's engagement by the Department of Local Government, the FNM confirms that Mr. Gomez had commenced his training to become a Family Island administrator in the office of the Local Government Administrator in Marsh Harbour.
"The training was undertaken by the administrator, Mr. Cephas Cooper, on instruction from the undersecretary in the Local Government Department, Renee Glinton. The undersecretary's instructions on the matter originated from the Office of the Permanent Secretary responsible for Local Government." A letter written by Cooper confirming that Gomez was hired as of April 30 as an assistant administrator, is dated May 3. However, a Greg Gomez was also listed on the 52-week job program as a construction worker on May 7, the date of the general election.
However, Gomez insisted on Tuesday that it was the Christie administration that placed him on the job program so that he could get paid for his work as an assistant administrator. Gomez said he did not know why the document from the financial secretary listed him on the program during the week of May 7. It was unclear when Gomez started the 52-week job program, but Christie administration officials deny placing him on the program. In a letter addressed to Administrator Cooper on July 6, 2012, Gomez resigned from the program. He has however accused the PLP government of victimizing him, a claim Christie administration officials have repeatedly denied.
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