The upcoming trial between the Development Bank of St. Kitts and Nevis and its former General Manager, Lenworth Harris, is poised to make history as Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew pushes for it to be televised. The high-profile case, set to begin on 29th January 2025, centres around allegations of gross mismanagement and breaches of fiduciary duty during Harris’s tenure, while Harris has filed his own suit claiming wrongful termination.
Harris, the brother of former Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris, sued the Bank on 11th October 2023 after he was terminated despite having a contract that was due to end in 2026. His lawsuit against the bank alleges breach of contract and seeks a substantial financial settlement. The Development Bank has counterclaimed, accusing Harris of misconduct and asserting that millions of dollars were mismanaged under his stewardership.
Prime Minister Drew revealed during a parliamentary session that an initial forensic audit conducted by a Canadian firm, MNP LLP, uncovered significant financial irregularities. “The auditors’ January 2023 report indicated the bank was in severe financial distress and unable to meet its obligations as they became due,” Dr. Drew stated. Among the findings were discrepancies involving $74 million in government loans, questionable spending on the Southwell House property, and the absence of proper accounting records.
“These black holes in the bank’s finances were the result of deliberate actions to compromise transparency and accountability,” Dr. Drew asserted, adding that annual audits were suspended between 2018 and 2022, further exacerbating the situation.
Government’s Commitment to Justice
In his capacity as Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Drew has vowed to recover the mismanaged funds. “The Development Bank will vigorously defend itself against Mr. Harris’s claims,” he told the National Assembly. “The government remains steadfast in its commitment to recovering every penny lost due to practices that breached the Development Bank Act. This trial is about justice, accountability, and restoring public trust in our financial institutions.”
The prime minister emphasised the importance of public awareness and called for the trial to be televised to ensure transparency. If approved, it would mark the first time in the Federation’s history that cameras are allowed in the courtroom.
“This trial must be televised. Transparency is a cornerstone of democracy, and the people deserve to know what happened to their money,” Dr. Drew declared during his wrap up of the 2025 Appropriation Bill. He also urged the media to give the trial comprehensive coverage.
A Call for Public Accountability
“This is not just about uncovering corruption; it’s about protecting public funds and rebuilding trust,” Dr. Drew stated. “The Development Bank exists to serve the people, and its resources must directly benefit them, not vanish due to mismanagement.”
As the trial date approaches, citizens and stakeholders eagerly await what promises to be a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.
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