And, Gegg also explained to the Senate Select Committee that he and Figueroa had some history going back to 2012. That's when Figueroa was doing Jaguar research in the Runaway Creek area. Figueroa vigorously denied this:

Bevinton Cal, PUP Senator
"Did you get in contact with mr Figueroa at any time?"

David Gegg, Portico Developer
"There was some communication with his office."

Bevinton Cal, PUP Senator
"Anything directly from him?"

David Gegg, Portico Developer
"You know years ago - before he became a minister - I helped Mr Figueroa launch his jaguar studies in the Gracie Rock area. And we worked closely with him to carry out those studies. And, you know I admired what he was doing."

Jules Vasquez:
"He says that he helped you to launch your, your Jaguar research and that he was a big supporter of your research on that, implying that you two had some kind of relationship which predated your time in government."

Omar Figueroa, Former Minister Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development.
"Jules I listened to that comment and really, to be honest with you, it filled me with a lot of anger when I heard him make that comment, Jules."

"My Jaguar research was a part of a dissertation study."

"So when I came to Belize in 2008, after I was finished with the university component and I was ready to start my fieldwork, I actually started and it wasn't until after I was actually on the ground Cropping Jaguars that I was introduced to David Gegg."

"And what he did is he actually donated two GPS collars to my studiy Jules, but to say that he helped launch my project. Jules, bwai, nothing could be further from the truth, man. That is reckless again of him. And if you are allowed to go into the Senate and make such baseless, baseless statements. Jules, and what is even more disturbing, Jules, is that there were some follow up questions based on that lie! Man, the Senate Select Committee is becoming a joke If you allow someone to go in there and say that he helped launch my study and I don't know why is it that he said that? But he clearly had his motives. Man. that is a sick and twisted lie!"

Bevinton Cal, PUP Senator
"You helped someone, of course when you need help, you'd expect them to help you as well. Did Dr Omar Figueroa, di you approach him or him approaching you to expedite of these processes that you would need to get an environmental clearance?"

David Gegg, Portico Developer
"No sir. I dealt directly with people at the department of the environment"

Jules Vasuqez:
"An allusion was made that, you know, there are no free lunches and if I have done you a favor in the past, maybe ask you to do me a favor again..."

"You know, those are sort of implication was made that that you and him had a relationship where favors you were used to receiving favors from him."

Omar Figueroa, Former Minister Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development.
"building that lie!"

Jules Vasuqez:
"He claims that in mid-September, some UDP official came to him and asked for a campaign, campaign contribution in exchange for approval."

"He also says that he believes that if he had made that contribution, EIA would have been approved. What would have been, from your perspective as minister, what would have been the mechanics for that? Did anybody in the political directorate have the ability to get NEAC to approve an EIA proposal?"

Omar Figueroa, Former Minister Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development.
"Like I said, Jules, at no point was there any kind of communication between myself and Mr. Gegg about the EIA or about the project, the Portico project. He was communicating with other members of Cabinet, I believe."

Jules Vasuqez:
"Do you believe that he misled the Senate Special Select when it comes to certain things that it was more than misleading. He lied when he said that he helped launch my project. And then the implications of that lie are significant."

Omar Figueroa, Former Minister Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development.
"I mean, he needs to issue an immediate and public apology for that lie. I mean, that that that Jules, that is, I mean, nothing could be further from the truth."

Jules Vasuqez:
"And so it begs the question, why would he make such a lie?"