NEWSDAY JANUARY 22, 2 K 14 spacer Transport chief gets $150,000 for radio show comment Wednesday, January 22 2014 STATE owned media group Caribbean News Media Group (CNMG) has been ordered to pay Transport Commissioner Ruben Cato $150,000 in damages for slander contained in statements made during the Front Line radio programme on Talk City 91.1 on September 22, 2009. The media group had accepted liability and the issue of quantum of damages was yesterday resolved by Justice Ricky Rahim, who made the order yesterday. According to Cato’s lawsuit, during the radio programme, hosted by Jenelle Brathwaite, in which she interviewed Dr Samuel Joseph on the issue concerning the driving habits of ‘Heavy T’ drivers and how they obtain their licences at the Licensing Division, certain allegations were made on the talk show. While Cato’s name was not called during the broadcast his position was referred to by the talk show’s guest. Cato said immediately after the radio programme, he was called into the office of the then Minister of Works and Transport Colm Imbert and asked to account for the allegations made, Cato said in compliance with the request he produced a report assuring the minister that his hands were clean. He said a day after the talk show, on entering the office he was met with snickers and lowered heads by employees. Cato testified that he felt embarrassed because his integrity, honesty and loyalty had been called into question and gloated over by his employees and colleagues. He also said friends and family also questioned him about the allegations made and as a result his home life was affected as it left him stressed so much so he and his wife Donna Regis-Cato had to seek marital counselling at Mount St Benedict. Cato also said having to constantly assert his innocence left him in deep frustration and anguish. To date CNMG he said, has not apologised and he said he continued to work under stress and public scrutiny as a result of what was said on the radio programme. Justice Rahim in his ruling said, the holder of a public office was easily verifiable in such a relatively small society and it made no difference that his name was not called. The award of damages included aggravated damages. Pamela Elder,SC, represented Cato while Lesley Ann Lucky Samaroo appeared for CNMG
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 10:01:46 +0000
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