ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC):

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is denying allegations that a Grenadian man sentenced to a maximum nine-year jail term in New York for his part in a multimillion-dollar mortgage fraud scheme is a major financier of the party.

The NDC has stated that while 45-year-old Delbert Baptiste is a registered member,he has played no leading role in the affairs of the party and made no major financial donations, except his dues as a card-holding member.

"With respect to him being a major financier, that is absolutely untruth. He is an ordinary member. He has not had any major role or any significant role in the party," declared NDC General Secretary Peter David.

Registered member

"He is a registered member but I don't know that he has made any significant contribution. He has never held any executive position in the National Demo-cratic Congress both in Grenada and in any other jurisdiction," said David, the parliamentary representative for the town of St. George.

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes last month sentenced Baptiste to three to nine years in prison for a mortgage fraud scheme totalling more than $2 million.

He pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the second degree after using the property to defraud several mortgage companies.

Opponents of the NDC alleged that Baptiste has been a major financier who provided the majority of T-shirts used by the NDC party supporters during the last general election.