Trial preparation begins for hospital corruption case

Canover Watson and his lawyer, Ben Tonner

(CNS): Local businessman and former Health Services Authority board chair, Canover Watson, as well as his former personal assistant, Miriam Rodriquez, are schedule to go to trial Monday to answer corruption and money laundering charges in connection with a hospital contract for a payment system. Former FIFA vice president Jeffrey Webb, who is also charged in the case, will not be in the dock during the eight week trial as he remains under house arrest in the US in relation to the massive FIFA corruption scandal.

The case is being presided over by Justice Michael Mettyear. Following a case management hearing on Tuesday jurors were directed to attend the court on Friday to allow a panel to be selected ahead of proceedings on Monday morning, when the crown is expected to open the case.

Watson and Rodriquez, who are currently on bail, have both denied the allegations against them but have been charged with a long list of serious fraud and corruption offences that relate to an $11 million contract awarded by the HSA for a payment system when Watson was chair of the board. The crown claims the contract went to a company in which Watson had an interest.