Jack Warner resigns from Trinidad Cabinet

Prime Minister, Kamla Persad- Bissessar, has today officially accepted the resignation of Jack Warner from Cabinet.

In a media release the PM stated, "I have today accepted the offer of resignation of the Minister of National Security, Mr Jack Warner from the Cabinet of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

I wish to thank Mr. Warner for his service to the government and people of Trinidad and Tobago.

I have advised His Excellency President Anthony Carmona to revoke the appointment of Mr. Warner and to appoint Senator the Honourable Mr. Emmanuel George as Minister of National Security.

I have also advised His Excellency, President Anthony Carmona to assign the portfolio of Works and Infrastructure to the Honourable Dr. Suruj Rambachan in addition to his existing poirtfolio."

Mr. Warner seem to have felt led to resign following many calls for Prime Minister Persad Bissessar to act immediately on the contents of the report of the CONCACAF Integrity Committee that was released in Panama on Friday.

This investigation was conducted by the Integrity Committee of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) at the request of the Executive Committee of CONCACAF.

The Executive Committee had requested the investigation because public allegations and other information raised serious questions about the integrity of the former leadership of CONCACAF and threatened to undermine public confidence in CONCACAF.

The Committee concluded that Jack Warner committed fraud against CONCACAF and FIFA in connection with the COE in two ways.

First, Warner secured funds from FIFA and CONCACAF by falsely representing, and intentionally creating a false impression, that the land on which the Centre of Excellence (COE) was developed was owned by CONCACAF when he knew that it was in fact owned by his own companies.

Second, Warner induced FIFA to transfer funds that were intended for development of the COE to himself personally by falsely representing that bank accounts to which FIFA should send the funds were CONCACAF accounts when he knew that in fact he controlled them personally.

The Committee also concluded that Warner committed fraud and misappropriated funds that were sent by Football Federation Australia (FFA) to CONCACAF for development of the COE, and that he breached his fiduciary duties to CONCACAF through fraud and misappropriation of funds.

The Committee further concluded that Warner violated the CONCACAF Statutes by arranging for others to sign loan guarantees related to the COE on behalf of CONCACAF without obtaining approval from the Congress, and that Warner violated the FIFA Ethics Code by engaging in self-dealing through fraud and misappropriation.

Jack Warner's resignation comes somewhat as a surprise as he was today reported in the Trinidad Guardian as stating that he was willing to address Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley if he were to bring a no confidence motion against him.