By Sue-Ann Wayow
ALL charges against United National Congress (UNC) candidate for Caroni Central Dr David Lee for the purchase of a $2.3 million Mercedes-Benz have been dismissed.
The charges against Lee and businessman Hugh Leon Poi were dismissed after a no-case submission was upheld by acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles on Monday.
Charles ruled that the prosecution presented insufficient evidence to sustain the charges or proceed to trial.
In September, 2022, Lee was placed on $1 million in bail for charges of misbehaviour in public office and conspiracy to defraud.
The charges after advice from Director of Public Prosecution Roger Gaspard. They are in connection to the purchase of a $2.3 million Mercedes-Benz and the $1.4 million in tax exemptions he derived as a Member of Parliament.
The claim made by prosecutors was that Lee falsely claimed ownership of the vehicle so in order to benefit from tax exemptions granted to MPs.
Lee was represented by attorneys Alexia Romero, Randall Raphael, Wayne Sturge and Mario Merritt.
Sturge, is also the UNC candidate for Toco/Sangre for the upcoming general elections.
“God is good,” Lee told AZP News in a brief interview on Monday.
He said he was grateful to his family, his friends and all who supported him through the three years since he was first detained.
Lee, former member of parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre has maintained his innocence since being charged.
To his former UNC colleague Larry Lalla who is now openly supporting the People’s National Movement (PNM) he said,” “I am coming for Larry Lalla.”
Lee said over the last three years, he faced political victimisation and ridicule from the PNM side.
“Political victimistion is alive in this PNM government,” the former MP said.
Lee added, “I took whatever they threw out at me without saying anything,”
He also thanked his political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“She has stood by my side these past three years even in times when I felt low,” Lee said.
He told AZP News he will speak more about the matter at a later date.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Lee thanked the constituents of Pointe-a-Pierre for their support over the years.
He wrote, “To my former constituents of Pointe-A-Pierre, thank you.
“Thank you letting me be a part of your hearts and your homes. As I move to by the UNC candidate for Caroni Central I take with me the love, friendships, lessons and memories we have together in Pointe-A-Pierre. Let us press forward as Team T&T towards election day, and remember, when UNC wins, Everybody wins!”
