Mikael Phillips admits to filing statutory declarations late, says he was not investigated for illicit enrichment

Opposition lawmaker Mikael Phillips has disclosed that his 2022 statutory declaration was filed late, while stating that an Integrity Commission report concerning him has nothing to do with illicit enrichment.

The Manchester North Western MP is reportedly the subject of an investigation report from the Integrity Commission which was submitted to the Parliament this week for tabling. 

In a media release on Friday, Phillips said his statutory declaration was "unfortunately late due to a delay in getting all the relevant documents."

However, according to Phillips, shortly after the deadline, the documents were submitted and he has since fully complied with all the requirements. 

"As a public servant, I take my responsibilities seriously and while the statutory declaration was delayed it is not connected with illicit enrichment. All my statutory declarations have been certified and the late-filing penalty of $250,000 has been paid," Phillips said.

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"I remain committed to serving my constituents and the people of Jamaica with integrity, transparency and accountability," he added.

In July the Integrity Commission disclosed that two additional lawmakers had been referred for investigation for alleged illicit enrichment, pushing the tally over the last two years to eight.

Since then, the Commission has submitted an investigation report into the statutory declarations submitted by Prime Minister Andrew Holness for the years 2019 to 2022, and confirmed that the head of government had been under investigation for illicit enrichment.

However, the Commission's director of investigation said he was unable to arrive at a conclusion regarding illicit enrichment in respect of the prime minister as he did not have access to Holness' personal expenses over the relevant period, “and due to unresolved questions concerning the operations of companies with which Mr Holness is connected”.