By Nicole Mc Donald

For several weeks now it seemed the political spotlight has been unwaveringly focused on Senator Ausbert d’Auvergne. Yesterday the Comptroller of Customs, Terrence Leonard, at a press briefing sought to assure the public that the case in which he had been the central point was, contrary to popular belief, far from dead.

The matter had grabbed the nation’s throat in June when Housing and Urban Renewal minister Richard Frederick had been escorted to the Gros Islet police station and had undergone almost six hours of questioning in what would later come to be known as the Richard Frederick saga. The Castries Central MP was being questioned in relation to fraudulent customs duties evasions, making false declarations and the use of false documents. After Frederick’s last visit with the police (July 18) there has been little official word on the case—until now.

“You will recall that sometime ago persons were arrested with regard to alleged instances of fraudulent evasion of customs duties,” said Mr Leonard yesterday. “. . . I would say that there are systemic impediments to the case . . . impediments to pursuing the case as provided for under the customs control and management act and also under the provision of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the government of the United States of America and the government of St Lucia.”

Mr Leonard did not expand on the exact nature of the impediments he faced. He would only say: “I am extremely confident that those impediments shall be removed sooner or later.” Obviously this investigation shoved the Comptroller into the limelight and his own credibility had come under the microscope, with several persons in Frederick’s camp accusing the public servant of leading a “vendetta” against the minister. So, does Mr Leonard feel intimidated at all?

“My fear only resides in the Lord Almighty in whom I have faith. I have absolutely no fear in doing what I am required to do under the laws of St Lucia. The last time that I checked the national anthem of St Lucia has some guiding principles which include justice, truth and charity. I believe as a citizen and public servant once you abide by those principles there is no need for fear. I am totally unafraid of anybody or anything. I want to do my job that I get paid to do by the government and people of St Lucia.”

So, what is the exact status of the investigation? Mr Leonard would not divulge that information either but he would say that it is alive and well. “As far as the office of Comptroller is concerned, once I pursue something which I am justly and lawfully required to pursue with regards to my duties defined by the Customs Act, I do so without fear or favor and this is how I intend to proceed.”

At a press briefing in July the media was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions office had been pulled into the Richard Frederick case for consultation on the way forward. Said Leonard back then:  “I can confirm that three persons surrendered to their bail today, the 18th of July, 2007; two at Vieux Fort and one at Gros Islet. They were released pending further consultations with the Director of Public Prosecutions and were informed that the alleged offences of fraudulent customs duties evasions, making false declarations and the use of false documents would be proceeded by way of summons before a magistrate’s court. This is what I can confirm.”