The Tribune

ATTORNEYS of a US based company are in the process of filing documents which could lead to several PLP representatives sent to jail over alleged non-payment of almost  $60,000, The Tribune understands.

The procedure, called an order for examination of judgment debtor, could land the defendant, Joseph Curry, now Vice President of the Senate, in prison for defying a court ordered judgment to pay the money, The Tribune understands. Stunce Williams Jr. is also named on the supreme court document.

According to documents filed in the Supreme Court, it is claimed that Trimline Fleet Graphics, in Hialeah - Florida, were engaged by the party through Mr Williams and Mr Curry, to produce political billboards and paraphanalia ahead of the 2007 general election. The Write of Summons, filed on May 20, 2011, said that the total value of the items was stated on an invoice as $123,640.

While a partial payment of $93,625.00 was deposited into the Company's Regions Bank account in Florida by Mr Williams on March 5, 2007, the Court documents state that $57,645 is still outstanding.

Halsbury Chambers is representing Trimline.

The documents further state that in the weeks leading up to the election, the party requested several other types of paraphernalia including 100,000 bumper stickers valued at $39,690 and additional billboards worth $17,955. 

At some point, the writ said, Mr Williams requested that the logos: "Prime Minister the right man for the job" and "Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister the winning team" be inserted on the billboards.

"In breach of contract," the document said, "the defendants have failed to pay to the Plaintiff the sums due and owing under the invoices set out hereof in respect of the said goods received." 

The Writ further outlined an agreement which was reached between Mr Curry, Mark Finlayson, former City Markets chief and Trimline to settle the balance.

"The Plaintiff would discount $12,00 of the full amount bill; with terms of receiving from the PLP a deposit of $20,000 on August 19, 2007 and a payment of $5,000 every 1st of the month until the amount is paid in full.

"Although the terms were agreed between the Plaintiff and the Defendents, the Defendents have failed to pay the outstanding sum of $57,645 and any other payments towards settling the outstanding account."

Demands made by Halsbury Chambers to collect the money were made through letters on January 7, 2009 and March 7, 2011were not met, the Supreme Court documents said.

When contacted for comment, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said: "What you are telling me is utter foolishness, that judgment is not worth the paper it is printed on. We will show Halsbury Chambers how to do a proper lawsuit. If they wanted to sue someone, they should have gone after the PLP's trustees."

Trimline, were contacted however, the declined comment.