KINGSTON, Jamaica – Former Speaker of the House Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert has been fined J$900,000 following her decision not to contest the charges brought against her by the Integrity Commission.
Marisa Dalrymple-PhilibertThe member of parliament for the constituency of Trelawny Southern was charged for failing to declare a vehicle she had purchased with concession for the government on several statutory declarations.
Following submissions by her attorney , the judge pointed out issues with the Integrity Commission Act.
The court noted that the act itself did not have a provision that clearly allowed the commission itself discretion to give Dalrymple-Philibert the benefit of correcting record and avoiding the necessity of going through the courts.
He former speaker made corrections by way of an updated Statutory Declaration, at the recommendation of the commission and before any charges were brought against her.
Dalrymple-Philibert was charged with eight counts for breaches of the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act (4 counts) and the Integrity Commission Act (4 counts). In the result, the commission’s prosecutors withdrew two counts.
The Court also admonished and discharged Dalrymple Philibert in respect of the counts under the Parliament (Integrity of Members) Act and for the other charges under the Integrity Commission Act, she was fined $900,000.00.
The court noted the maturity of the parties involved despite the intense arguments advanced on both sides and Champagnie indicated that Dalrymple-Philibert was perhaps the only parliamentarian in Jamaica who without the invitation or request for any invitation took it upon herself to resign as house speaker and member of parliament in order to deal with her court matter.
