Member of Parliament for Centreville Reece Chipman. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
CENTREVILLE MP Reece Chipman is facing a $2,500 lawsuit stemming from alleged unpaid wages to a campaign worker.
Sean Maycock, in a claim filed August 2 in Magistrate's Court, alleged that from mid-February up to the May 10 general election, there was a verbal agreement he would provide various services to the campaign efforts of Mr Chipman in exchange for a weekly wage of $200.
Mr Maycock insisted a written contract was proposed, but the opportunity never came for a document to be signed.
According to the claimant, over the course of the nearly three months he was employed by Mr Chipman, he allegedly acted as a poll worker, landscaper, general cleaner, lead organiser and general campaign worker.
"Assurances were given that all would be taken care of," he told The Tribune. "We were all told the same thing. A number of us received the same assurances."
Mr Maycock added: "The sad thing about this ordeal is I didn't want it to come to this because (Mr Chipman) and his success in May represents change. Too bad he is just more of the same."
In the claim presented to The Tribune, Mr Maycock is seeking $2,400 in unpaid wages and $100 to offset the cost of filing his claim.
When contacted for comment on the matter, Mr Chipman -- who was recently appointed chairman of the Antiquities Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) board of directors -- initially denied knowing Mr Maycock, but later suggested the claimant was known to his campaign.
Mr Chipman told The Tribune his campaign team did not offer paid positions in the buildup to the general election and only offered "help" where they could.
"There was no commitment in terms of a payroll. During the campaign, you don't make promises to pay, you say if you need help with something. What we try to do is, we may, if we can, provide assistance," Mr Chipman said.
"We provide breakfast, lunch, dinner in some instances, which he was a part of," he insisted.
The matter is expected to be heard on August 17.
Comments
TalRussell 6 years, 8 months ago
Comrades! Maybe the newly elected Centreville MP Reece, who was recently appointed by the PM as the chairman of the Antiquities Monuments and Museum Corporation (AMMC) board of directors - -should make public a detailed list of ALL expenditures related to his 2017 election campaign? I would think this would help to clear the 'payment confusion' issue outstanding with the Defendant?
HarryWyckoff 6 years, 8 months ago
Not just him - every person who ran for MP. Including your beloved PLP.
Pretty sure they would shut that idea down in seconds - far too dangerous for them, even though they will likely never hold power again in this country anyway.
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 8 months ago
When the proverbial sh*t hits the fan too early...
I am taking early wagers that anyone other than Perry G can successfully unseat Reece Chipman in the next general election.
BahamasForBahamians 6 years, 8 months ago
Amazing though we have here in this article a newly elected sitting FNM MP who's clearly taking advantage of the unfortunate in his constituency... but someone in this commentary still spells the acronym PLP?
It stands to reason that the PLP is very far from irrelevant to anyone who suggests the party is at its lowest point.
CatIslandBoy 6 years, 8 months ago
Mr. Chipman should settle this matter very quickly, if the claimant is being honest, simply to avoid other negative publicity so early in his political career. On the other hand, if there is no merit to the claim, let the Courts settle it, particularly to discourage others who might be so inclined.
banker 6 years, 8 months ago
Unless the guy is trying for a windfall payday because Chipman won, he should be paid off if his claim is legitimate. The very fact that he didn't collect weekly, and his pay was stipulated weekly says something to me -- unless of course, Chipman kept deferring it. If it comes down to he said-he said, and there is no contract, the plaintiff will lose.
TalRussell 6 years, 8 months ago
Comrades! An opposition aligned Legal Eagle, should take on this Civil Suit on a “pro bono” gift to the Plaintiff. I would ask da Honourable Judge - to order the Defendant to produce a sworn documents outlining exactly how the Centerville 2017 campaign was organised and paid for - to the last red penny.
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