Phyllis Thomas, Enterprise EditorWHEN NICOLA Webb, the exotic dancer who was paralysed by a policeman's bullet on September 4, 2002, received an $11.2 million settlement from the Government, there was a national sigh of relief. At least she would be able to care for herself.
Today, however, nine months after the last cheque was paid out, Nicola Webb is penniless.
Letters from the Attorney-General's chambers that accompany the issue of the cheques show that the money was paid out to Ms. Webb as follows:
July 2003 $1 million
June 2004 $1.5 million
August 2004 $3 million
September 2004 $500,000
February 2005 $1 million
June 2005 $1.5 million
August 2005 $2.5 million
October 2005 $1.2 million
The documents were acquired by The Sunday Gleaner under the Access to Information Act.
But Ms. Webb doesn't even have money to repair the Honda Civic motor car she had purchased for $800,000 to take her around. "At least I have somewhere to live," she said, "but still things hard financially ... If I could only get a job." Ms. Webb said that she is computer literate, a good writer and very active. She had been trying to continue her education, pursuing subjects like English, principles of business and accounts but she had to abandon them because she is unable to repair the vehicle that she used to drive to the classes.
PAID IN PIECES
After lawyers' fees of 25 per cent is subtracted from the $11,273,108.50 settlement, Ms. Webb got in hand $8,449,831.38.
So what became of all that money in so short a time? She blamed the quick disappearance of the money on the fact that the Government paid it out to her "in pieces." Furthermore, she has to take care of her mother and three children ages eight, six and four years old. Also, there are medical bills. She makes regular visits to the doctor because the bullet is still lodged in her spine.
Shortly after her injury, The Star reported that Ms. Webb was on the brink of poverty, living with one of her three daughters in a crude one-room shack she had rented. The shack, the report said, was built on captured land deep in the bushes, off the Kitson Town main road, St. Catherine, and had neither running water nor electricity. She still lives in Kitson Town.
But she has spent, she said, about $3 million putting up a house consisting of two bedrooms, bathroom, living, and dining room and washroom. The house, however, is built on
land that is owned by the Government. And she has paid "people who said they are with the NHT (National Housing Trust)" $30,000 representing part payment for the land. The balance is still to be paid but she will think about that later.
