Of course there are huge political implications in that - especially with the UDP leadership convention coming up in three weeks.
And here at 7News we know that at least one of those men aspiring for Leader, John Saldivar has been an associate of Lev Dermen. And we know that because Jules Vasquez went to the Gold Cup in 2013 as a journalist and learned that Dermen was a part of John Saldivar's entourage. In fact, information at the time was - Dermen was ferrying Saldivar to games in a private jet.
Today we asked the Prime Minister about that connection:...
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Because of the personalities involved and we need to be real, certainly from my observation of events which I had no proximity to, I was working, but it certainly seem clear that there was a very familiar relationship between the Minister of Sports at the time or I believe he was involved in football Mr. Saldivar and Levon. Those were the names I kept hearing, the team would talk about them because certain ma if you score a goal Mr. Levon gives you one thousand dollars. Real talk, that happened and he was rolling with Mr. Saldivar and his entourage."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I can confirm that a number of UDP personalities did meet Mr. Lev, yes."
Reporter
"But Mr. John Saldivar isnt one of them? You're not sure?"
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"I don't know that he isn't at all. In fact, I believe that he is and I think that is widely known, because of some footballing connection and some gold cup trip, so I don't know that Minister Saldivar would be silly enough to deny that he did know the gentleman. But there were others in the cabinet that had met him as well."
Reporter
"Is it not in the least bit curious to you that Minister Saldivar is once again entangled with business people. questionable..."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Who said that Mr. Saldivar is entangled?"
Reporter
"Hold on one second sir, because when you back track to the entire Mason situation, he was a questionable character which we found out after the fact when the entire incident happened and we found that he was involved in the very same sporting arena transactions and now here we go again with Dermen where we are talking aging accepting favors in the sporting arena and the very same person. The point is it is casting quite a cloud over the administration."
Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"Look, the allegations contained in that statement lodge before the court by the prosecutor indeed is extremely concerning. That is why I am here and that is why I am seeking to reassure you and the public that once those allegations mature and once evidence would be lead, anybody who in fact is shown to have accepted monies from this gentleman will be dealt with."
This evening - after the press conference, Saldivar put out a statement saying, quote, "..For the record, I met American businessman Lev Dermen in 2013 and last saw him sometime in early 2015. Mr Dermen was known to many in Belize as a wealthy businessman. I interacted with Mr Dermen on several occasions and did so publicly, including, as is already public knowledge at the Gold Cup in 2013. However, I categorically reject any suggestion of my involvement in any act of fraud or bribery with Mr Dermen. At no time have I used my office for any such vile quid pro quo activities as the political propagandists suggest. Any such suggestion is obviously motivated by political actors who are intent on seeking to gain political mileage for the imminent elections…To certain elements within my own party I say that it is regrettable that the campaign for the leadership of my Party has caused some to sink to this level of maliciousness and falsehood." End quote. He adds that his attorney has been instructed to initiate legal action against anyone who has published, publishes, causes to be published or continues publication of these malicious falsehoods, quote "about me and the office I hold."
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