...... $US500, 000.00 Video-Tape Could Be Handed Over


A U.S judge has ordered the man at the centre of the briefcase scandal involving Grenada Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell to hand over by Wednesday to american oil investor, Jack Grynberg the alleged incriminating video-tape of the financial transaction.

International con-man Eric Resteiner is believed to have in his possession the video-tape of an alleged hand over in June 2000 in a luxury villa at St. Moritz, Switzerland the sum of US $500, 000.00 to Dr. Mitchell as a bribe payment for a diplomatic position.

The Grenadian leader has consistently denied accepting any bribe money from Resteiner, a so-called former Trade Counsellor for his ruling New National Party (NNP) government. An authoritative source told GRENADA TODAY that the Wednesday of this week ultimatum  was issued by Judge Denise L. Cote after no one challenged the subpoena that was served on both Resteiner and his lawyer, John Amabile for the video-tape to be handed over to Grynberg.  

The american oil tycoon is planning to use the "prized possession" in a bribery case that he filed in a New York court against Mitchell's second-in command, Gregory Bowen, the Minister of Agriculture and Energy.

In a letter sent to Judge Cote on March 14,  Daniel Abrams, the lawyer for Grynberg informed the court that his client had become aware of a video- tape which showed Dr. Mitchell accepting what is understood "to be a $500, 000 all in-cash bribe from Mr.Resteiner".

"It is plaintiff's contention that bribery is the norm at the highest levels of the Grenadian government, and that Mr. Resteiner's tape and testimony may be probative and admissible herein, and/or lead to discovery of admissible evidence", Abrams told the judge.

The judge granted the request by informing Abrams that , "application to serve a subpoena (on Resteiner and Amabile) is granted".

According to the source, Grynberg is pretty confident of laying his hand on the so far elusive video-tape within a matter of days. He spoke of  lawyers for the Colorado businessman also getting a court order to enter the Federal prison in Massachussets where Resteiner is being held awaiting sentence for multiple fraud charges to interview him on video about the nature of the transaction with Prime Minister Mitchell. He said the lawyers intend to ask the con-man exactly how much money was handed over to Mitchell in the briefcase and for what purpose.

The Grenadian leader has denied accepting any money from Resteiner in a briefcase. He spoke of receiving "approximately US$15, 000.00" from Resteiner to help cover the cost of an investment trip he undertook to several European capitals and Kuwait.

 The source said that the lawyers also intend to quiz Resteiner on video camera on whether he also donated the tickets that were used by Prime Minister Mitchell and his delegation to visit Europe. In an address to the nation two years ago, Dr. Mitchell said that he had paid for the trip with monies from his own credit card.

The Grynberg group is alleging that they have evidence from a foreign secret service that Resteiner had paid for the tickets and not the Prime Minister himself.