Criminal Defense Lawyer Chesley Hamilton took to the airwaves of Freedom Fm’s Issues on Tuesday afternoon to demand that the TUG pay him monies owed for capital cases.
He noted that while he’s being successful in defending his many clients, the government has not paid him in two years for his services.
Hamilton outlined that over a period of time he had successfully completed 40 cases. In 2016 he had defended in the matter of Shaeed Williams, Jahari Bart twice and from Nevis had successfully dealt with the Craig Halliday and Somersall matters.
“I need my money now and I have to go to the people. The public must know that Chesley does not want to remain quiet any longer. It is wrong and to say somebody is intervening when other people… a Minister in cabinet presented his bill for 1.5 million $ he got paid. I’m at the lower end of the spectrum, I need my money now”, said Hamilton.
He said he is aware that a current government minister was awarded 1.5 million dollars in an election petition matter in Nevis and was quickly paid by the Team Unity government.
However his fees a smaller amount, between 50-75 thousand dollars are being ignored. Hamilton emphasized that he was going public to “name and shame them” into paying him his money.
Hamilton wondered aloud if the TUG did not think a poor black boy from Cayon was deserving of that money.
Mr. Hamilton further stated that the Attorney General only wants to pay him a measly ten or fifteen thousand dollars for some cases awarded by the court.
He told a nationwide radio audience on Freedom Fm that it is unacceptable what the Attorney General Vincent “Juicy” Byron is doing by withholding the monies he “worked hard for.”
He later stated that he would like to replace his 20 year old vehicle on VAT Reduction Day in December, but is unable to do so.
Hamilton who once ran as a candidate for the People’s Action Movement, the largest faction in the Team Unity Coalition, said the government promise of fair share and fresh start should redound to him and everyone else in this country and not just the favored few.
Since taking office the Team Unity Government (TUG) has refused to pay several prominent citizens and businesses, many of them Labour Party supporters. Several person have taken the government to court, but Hamilton has indicated that he will not go that route as “the government has deep pockets” than he does.