Tensions rise James sues alleged cheaters
in Trinidad &
Tobago
to fail largely because the governing party
has a three seat majority in the 41-seat
house and links to independent senators in
the upper chamber.
The published motion to remove the
president stated that Weekes should be
removed from office because she “willfully
violated the provisions of the constitution
securing the independence of the PSC in
the performance of its functions and also
willfully violated section 123 of the constitution,
behaved in such a way as to bring
her office into hatred, ridicule or contempt
by interfering and/or facilitating interference
with the PSC and also by proceeding
in the circumstances to appoint new members
of the PSC,” among other points.
Speaking to constituents at mid-week,
PM Rowley urged Opposition Leader Persad
Bissessar to withdraw the motion, noting
that
“I’d like to ask the opposition leader,
based on what she knows now, notwithstanding
your concern or malice before,
don’t put our country through that motion.
Don’t put that on our country’s record,
don’t stain our country – withdraw this
motion,” the PM
All through the recent weeks of raging
Caribbean L 12 ife, OCTOBER 22-28, 2021
controversy and political exchanges
between Griffith and opposition lawmakers,
Rowley and the opposition, Weekes has, but
for one statement, largely held her tongue,
trying to stay above the fray.
“I assure the nation that neither the OTP
(office of the president) nor I participated
in, allowed or encouraged any attempted
or actual improper interference, influence
or breach of the principle of separation of
powers in the operation of the PSC in the
matter of the commissioner of police. I
did not receive instructions or suggestions
from any individual, nor did I give any to
the PSC. I certainly did not willfully violate
any provision of the constitution nor
have I behaved in a way that could lead one
reasonably to conclude that I have brought
the OTP into hatred, ridicule or contempt
or endangered the security of the state,”
she said.
Continued from Page 1
companies cheated 26 individuals
from the Bronx and Nassau County
out of more than $50,000 in total
and repeatedly refused requests for
refunds for services that were paid
for but never rendered.
The lawsuit seeks restitution for
the consumers who were cheated by
these companies, and for other consumers
who were subject to the companies’
alleged illegal, unsolicited
offers through mail or home visits.
“During the darkest time in their
lives, families shouldn’t have to deal
with the additional burden of being
preyed upon and cheated by companies
that are supposed to help them,”
said Attorney General James. “Polanco
and Heavenly Monuments shamelessly
stole thousands from grieving
New Yorkers who were simply trying
give family members and loved ones
the respect they deserve.
“On my watch, we will never allow
deceptive practices of any kind and
we will not hesitate to hold bad actors
accountable to the fullest of the law,”
she added.
The lawsuit, filed in Bronx County
Supreme Court, alleges that owners
Ramon Polanco and Juan Polanco
engaged in a scheme, in which they
sold burial monuments that were
never provided and illegally advertised
and solicited business.
The lawsuit says Polanco and Heavenly
Monuments distributed brochures
and flyers at funeral homes,
interacted directly with consumers
during unsolicited house visits, and
on their website and other online
platforms such as Yelp.
“In fact, the owners employed
these tactics to lure consumers into
paying upfront fees for cemetery
monuments that they never intended
on providing,” the suit says. “When
consumers followed up to inquire
about the status of their purchase,
they were repeatedly stalled with
excuses and, often, their calls went
unanswered.
“Many of their contracts failed to
include terms required under state
law,” it adds. “When consumers
showed up in person to inquire about
their purchase status, they learned
that the businesses had abruptly
closed without any prior notice.”
James seeks to enjoin Polanco and
Heavenly Monuments from engaging
in further deceptive and fraudulent
behavior, and to compel the two
companies to pay restitution to the
26 individuals who were cheated out
of a total of more than $50,000.
The OAG is also requesting a financial
accounting of each consumer’s
transactions to determine whether
any other individuals were similarly
injured.
Continued from Page 1
President of the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago, Paula-Mae Weekes
O.R.T.T. Offi ce of the President of Trinidad
and Tobago
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