Commissioner of Police David Baines has
exonerating the Dart Group from any wrongdoing with regard to the payment of $5
million the company made to the government.
“There is no evidence to substantiate that
you have committed any offence in contravention of the Anti-Corruption Law 2008
or any other criminal legislation,” Mr. Baines wrote in a letter to Dart
Realty’s Chief Executive Officer Mark VanDevelde and Chief Operating Officer
Jackie Doak. “Therefore, there is no justification for undertaking any further
investigation into this complaint, and this matter is now concluded.”
Mr. VanDevelde said Dart Realty was happy
the Anti-Corruption Committee had found no wrongdoing, but that the company was
not surprised at the finding, given the process involved in the 15 December,
2011, contract it signed with the National Roads Authority and government.
“This contract was reviewed by the Attorney
Generals’ Chambers and Dart Realty was given the opportunity to meet with
Cabinet to discuss and review the [National Road Authority] Agreement,” he
said.
The complaint was filed with the
Anti-Corruption Commission, of which Mr. Baines is the chairperson, by North
Side MLA Ezzard Miller. Among other
things, Mr. Miller requested Dart produce an invoice for the $5 million to show
why the payment was being made.
Mr. VanDevelde said he was surprised Mr.
Miller filed the complaint, given the open and transparent process that the NRA
Agreement underwent.
“It is disappointing that Mr. Miller has
used his complaint as a political tool,” he said. “[That he] has continually
stated, in public forums, that Dart’s actions were corrupt – even as the
investigation, which he initiated was under way, and [has] repeatedly stated
that an invoice should be required, when in fact the $5M represents the
fulfilment of a contractual obligation in accordance with a duly executed legal
agreement.”