Commissioner Louie Laveist plans to "break his silence" about his legal troubles and "other pertinent matters" this weekend, according to a press release sent to The Daily Herald last night by talk show host Lloyd Richardson.
Richardson said the "embattled commissioner" would be the guest on his Voice of St. Maarten show "People’s Voice" Sunday morning.
He reported Laveist, who is expected to go on trial soon on forgery charges, as saying his long silence on his legal situation had served to embolden many of his political enemies and others to attack him in the media, acting like prosecutor, judge and executioner.
Richardson continued: "He said he needs to remind them all that in a democratic society one is innocent until proven guilty. …
"The commissioner said he has a lot to say about what has taken place over the last two months and encourages everyone interested in his case to tune in on Sunday morning when he will give his side of the story.
"He said the time has come for him to take off the gloves and from now on he will be fighting back and pulling no punches."
The commissioner has resigned from the governing St. Maarten Democratic Party, now sits in the Island Council as an independent member who supports the DP, has been stripped of all his portfolios and is under pressure to resign from the Executive Council.
According to Richardson, Laveist says he has committed no crime and is optimistic that he will be exonerated of all wrongdoing if and when the matter comes before the court.
People’s Voice will be aired on PJD-3 Radio 102.7FM from 10:00am to 11:00am Sunday, January 18. The programme is usually aired on PJD-2 Radio1300AM, but that station is currently off the air due to technical problems. "