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Two weeks after Public Service Commission (PSC) chairman Christopher Thomas stated that the law governing the appointment of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) head is ambiguous, the Government has brought an amendment to the FIU Act.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley had argued that the appointment of Susan Francois, Registrar General, to the position of acting director was illegal and improper because Attorney General Anand Ramlogan had gotten involved in the appointment process.

Rowley had stated that an interviewing panel from the Ministry of Finance got a call and the interviewing process was stopped. Francois, who never applied for the job, ended up getting it. And Rowley argued that the PSC’s authority to select and appoint a director had been usurped.

In correspondence, Thomas told Rowley that that section of the Act, governing the appointment of a director, was unambiguous. But Rowley argued that it was the PSC’s responsibility, not the Cabinet’s, to make such an appointment.

Notwithstanding the Government’s insistence that the appointment was proper, an amendment was tabled last Friday.

The new bill shifts the FIU under the office of the Attorney General, whereas previously it was under the office of the Minister of Finance.

The bill also provides for the validation of the actions performed by certain officers on behalf of the FIU since its creation.

Another clause states that the Public Service Commission may, with the approval of such other service commissions as may be necessary, assign, transfer or transfer on secondment suitably qualified public officers to the office of director, deputy director or any other public office on the establishment of the FIU.

Rowley had questioned whether the Judicial and Legal Service Commission had been properly consulted on the appointment.