T&T dismisses allegations US probing Rowley for money laundering
Information Minister Symon de Nobriga has rejected as “fake news” reports being circulated on social media that Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, who returned here after a lengthy visit to the United States, was being investigated by US authorities on money laundering.
In a message on his Facebook page, de Nobriga said Rowley had travelled to the United States last month to attend the Summit of the Americas and then “extended his stay in the US to attend to his healthcare”.
A government statement said that Rowley, who returned here on Thursday night, is due to travel to Suriname on Saturday for the annual summit of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders from July 3-5.
He is due to host a news conference on Saturday before his departure.
The Information Minister said that while he does not know the authors of the social media posts regarding the allegations against Rowley, “it is instructive that almost everyone who sent me the posts identified one as a known UNC (opposition United National Congress) operative.
“I won’t pronounce that, but a cursory review of their posts will be sufficient for anyone to conclude. What I do know is that this is straight out of the UNC Opposition’s playbook.
“It is textbook misinformation, and it is a distraction. It is consistent with the near-constant flow of misinformation in the public domain that must then be addressed, out of respect for the public whom we serve, and which then takes us away from being able to address genuine concerns the public has.” de Nobriga
He said the social media posts “like others from other operatives, first and foremost are devoid of any facts or references to points.
“They are also deliberately irresponsible and inflammatory with their words, but this should not surprise people. This is the behaviour to which we have become accustomed. What we need to understand is the intention. It is to plant the seed of doubt and contention. Unfortunately, when they inevitably retract those words, they know the damage will have been done.”
He said that this “cannot be how we operate as a Nation,” adding, “this Government understands that it has hard work to do at a tough time, but we know our job and will continue to do it.
“These posts were intended only for mischief, bacchanal and the creation of doubt in authority, and they should be dismissed as such,” de Nobriga said.
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