Former BEC board member Fred Ramsey on Thursday exercised his right to remain silent in the face of allegations that he abused his position to solicit and receive bribes in relation to the award of contracts to a foreign company.
Ramsey, 79, is on trial for allegedly providing confidential board information to officials of ABB Generacion, now Alstom Power, or using his influence to swing the award of contracts in their favor.
In his opening address, Wayne Munroe, QC, told the nine-member jury that Ramsey did not take the witness stand on his advice. He said the prosecution was unable to say with certainty whether Ramsey "gave assistance or used influence".
Munroe added, "Why in the world, if you are to believe [Ramsey's alleged accomplice] Mark Smith, they don't know what it is?"
He said jurors had to decide whether they could trust Smith, the admitted American bag man in the alleged bribery scheme.
Smith, who has been granted immunity from prosecution, testified that he and Ramsey set up a consultancy agreement with ABB to keep them apprised about the board meetings.
The board had favored ABB's South Korean competitor Han Jung. ABB has paid $775 in fines after admitting to a conspiracy to pay bribes to win electricity business worldwide.
According to the evidence, former deputy prime minister Frank Watson suspended the board's decision after he was allegedly approached by Ramsey and ordered an investigation by Cabinet.
Cabinet overruled the board's decision after the board members were summoned to defend their position. Board member Vincent D'Aguilar quit the board in protest, the court heard.
Focusing on Smith's admitted dishonesty, Munroe quoted a prosecution witness who said, "You're either honest or you're dishonest."
Munroe drew laughter when he quipped, "If I were associated with another political party I would say that it was a matter of trust."
Munroe submitted that unlike Smith, Fred Ramsey "is a man of integrity".
The sole witness for the defense was Charles Johnson, who spoke of Ramsey's good character.
Johnson, a senior manager at J. S. Johnson, said he has known Ramsey for the past 35 years.
Johnson described Ramsey as a family man and Christian, who always held positions at the church he attended in Fox Hill.
Johnson said he established a business relationship with Ramsey 28 years ago when he [Johnson] worked at British American insurance.
He testified that Ramsey was entrusted to write business on behalf of the company.
Johnson added that Ramsey acted as an agent for J. S. Johnson without any problems.
"I never had reason to believe that Fred was not speaking the truth," he said.
"He is a man of great character and I have no hesitation in coming here and speaking on his behalf."
However, when questioned by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin, Johnson acknowledged that he did not have "firsthand" knowledge of the allegations.
Closing addresses are expected today and the case will be turned over to the jury on Monday.
Artesia Davis, Guardian Senior Reporter
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