KINGSTON, Jamaica — A recent disclosure by the Integrity Commission (IC) reveals that only a minimal percentage—approximately three percent—of its investigated cases are forwarded to external organizations like the Financial Investigations Division (FID) and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) for further scrutiny.
This revelation was made by Kevon Stephenson, the IC’s Director of Investigations, during his testimony before the Integrity Commission Oversight Committee (ICOC) on Tuesday. His comments came in response to inquiries from Julian Robinson, the Member of Parliament representing St. Andrew South Eastern.
Stephenson noted that over the last five years, just above three percent of the IC’s investigation reports have been directed to other entities for action. He emphasized the need for caution when making such referrals, highlighting the IC’s responsibility to uphold its mandate. “While there are other agencies with overlapping authorities, we must ensure that we maintain the integrity of our functions, particularly concerning the independence of the commission in dealing with matters related to public officials,” he explained.
He further elaborated that, although the IC occasionally collaborates with agencies like TAJ and FID, each report generated typically results in information requests from these competent authorities. “There are also opportunities for collaborative investigations,” he added, indicating that the IC is currently engaged in several joint efforts.
The issue of case referrals gained prominence last month when the IC released a comprehensive 200-page report investigating the financial dealings of Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The report included a recommendation for it to be sent to both the FID and TAJ to facilitate a detailed examination of the Prime Minister’s business transactions.
