By Lynford Simpson, Staff ReporterJUST MORE than $44.6 million was spent on the controversial West Kingston Commission of Enquiry, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told Parliament yesterday.
He made the disclosure in response to questions from Derrick Smith, Opposition Spokesman on National Security.
The Commission of Enquiry was established by the Prime Minister, following the July 7-10 gun battle in western Kingston last year which left 27 people dead.
The three-member Commission, which heard evidence from September 2001 to April 2002, was chaired by Canadian Justice Julius Isaac who received $700,334.90. When his living and other expenses, including a $479,000 bill for accommodation at the Courtleigh Hotel, were added the figure jumped to $1,227,147.08.
Justice Isaac was not paid a salary since the Canadian Government continued to pay him while he was in Jamaica. Instead, he received a per diem of C$130 daily for 184 days. All payments were made directly to the Canadian High Commission.
Under the Judges Act (Canada), Mr. Isaac was "prohibited from receiving any remuneration in addition to his regular salary for his participation in the Enquiry".
"He was, however, eligible for transportation, reasonable travel and living expenses from the Government of Jamaica," Mr. Patterson stressed.
The two other commissioners, Dr. Hyacinthe Ellis and Dr. Garnet Brown, received negotiated rates of $3,000 per hour for the sessions outside of the public hearings and $15,000 per day for sittings of the Commission. Dr. Ellis received just more than $3 million for her seven months work, while Dr. Brown collected more than $2 million.
Velma Hylton Q.C., Counsel for the Commission, pocketed $4.795 million for her efforts. Her negotiated retainer was $450,000 in addition to a refresher of $55,000 per day for 79 days.
Patterson said "it should be noted that Commission Counsel was required to be available to serve the Commission both during sittings and at working sessions".
The two assistants to the Commission Counsel, Janet Nosworthy and Eugene Harris, were paid a combined $5.635 million. Ms Nosworthy was compensated to the tune of $2.675m. Her retainer was $400,000 and a refresher of $35,000 per day for 65 days. Harris's retainer was $300,000 and a refresher of $35,000 daily for a total of $2.960m.
Lawyers representing the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were paid a total of $10.375m.
The late Ian Ramsay O.C., was lead counsel for the JCF and was paid $4.465m. Like Mrs Hylton, he was paid a refresher of $55,000 per day. Junior Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown walked away with more than $3m, while Leslie Harper received $2.880m.
The Government spent $10.625m to compensate lawyers representing the Jamaica Defence Force. Senior Counsel Norma Linton received $4.795m; Bert Samuels got $3.065m; and Errol Gentles was paid $2.765m.
The Office of the Public Defender paid out $600,000 to retain counsel originally retained to represent victims arising from injury and death during the incident. Costs associated with administrative support totalled $210,544, while operational costs reached $6.128m. The total amount for the lawyers involved was more than $32m.
