KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC—Dwayne Vaz, a former legislator with the main opposition People’s National Party (PNP), was fined J$250,000 Thursday for failing to provide the Integrity Commission with timely information regarding his statutory declaration 2019.
Vaz , who once represented the constituency of Westmoreland Central, made a significant admission in April when he appeared in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court. He pleaded guilty, a clear acknowledgment of his failure to meet the legal requirements.
He told Radio Jamaica news that he was fined following mitigation by his attorney, Laleta Davis Mattis.
“The judge took into account the mitigating circumstances and imposed a fine of $250,000, which I promptly paid at the court’s office. Moving forward, I want to reassure my fellow Jamaicans that I’ve always strived to uphold law and order, and I will continue to do so.
The issue at hand was a misunderstanding. I was charged because I did not file some documents on time. It was not about not filing. My documents have been filed and certified since 2021,” explained Vaz.
The former legislator said he was prepared to pay the fine but vowed never to be caught in that situation again.
“I can tell you that when I return as a Member of Parliament, I will ensure that I always file every single document on time because I will not be in this position again where I will have to be fined by the courts of Jamaica to adhere to any rules and regulations,” he said.
The Integrity Commission Act requires all senators, members of parliament, and public servants making at least J$3.5 million in gross annual compensation to submit yearly statements of their income, assets, and liabilities.
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