Plans revealed to join Watson and Rodriguez cases

Canover Watson

(CNS): When Canover Watson appeared in Grand Court Friday, defence Attorney Ben Tonner asked for an adjournment as he revealed that there were plans by the crown to join his client’s case with that of his former personal assistant, Miriam Rodriguez (53), who was also charged this week with corruption and money laundering offences.

Watson (43) was charged back in November with a catalogue of corruption offences and money laundering in connection with a hospital card payment contract worth $11M awarded by the hospital during his time as chairman of the Health Services Authority Board.

Miriam Rodriguez

Rodriguez was charged on Monday evening and her case was transferred to the Grand Court this week. She is now due to make her first appearance in the Grand Court on 13 February. Tonner asked that his client also appear on that date so that the crown can make its application and he will be in a position to state whether or not it will be opposed.

Watson has emphatically denied all charges and is still planning to schedule a dismissal hearing in relation to the allegations against him.