Integrity Commission probing senator and six MPs over illicit enrichment

A senator and six members of the House of Representatives are under investigation for possible illicit enrichment and/or supplying false information to Jamaica's Integrity Commission, according to the anti-corruption body's annual report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

The commission's matrix of statutory declarations, covering April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2026, shows that 14 MPs were referred for such probes over the eight-year period. Six of those cases were closed after investigation or preliminary inquiry. In one illicit-enrichment or false-information matter, no charges were pursued; in another, the commission recommended that charges be laid. Eight councillors were among public officials referred to the director of investigations on similar grounds, with one case later closed and two rulings favouring charges. Eight heads of public entities were also under probe, four of whose matters have since been closed.

For the 2025–2026 financial year, 18 complaints were referred for investigation and 10 were pursued; all remain active at varying stages under section 33 of the Integrity Commission Act. By year-end, 31 matters had been completed or closed — two tabled in Parliament, 26 closed after inquiries, and three sent to competent agencies.

Also on Tuesday's news roundup: a 20-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were detained after police seized a green-and-black imitation firearm at a club party in Trinityville, St. Thomas, on Monday. Officers acting on a tip allegedly saw the adult hand the item to the teen. The minor fled and was later held in Yorkers district; the adult was held on suspicion of possessing a prohibited weapon. The item was passed to the Morant Bay Criminal Investigation Branch.

In Bamboo, St. Ann, a search continues for Owen Teacher Hamilton, 66, of Steer Town, who left home last Saturday by public transport for a grave dig on Mountain Road and has not been seen since. He was last wearing a plaid shirt and black pants, stands about six feet, weighs roughly 170 pounds, and has grey hair. Relatives from St. James and Trelawny joined St. Ann residents on Tuesday. Anyone with information is asked to contact St. Ann's Bay Police or call 876-841-0239 or 876-369-0145.

In the Home Circuit Court in downtown Kingston, a ballistics expert contracted by INDECOM testified that at least one person among Matthew Lee, Ukliff Dyer and Mark Allen — killed on January 12, 2013 — was shot while the blue Mitsubishi Outlander's front passenger door was open, citing blood-type spatter consistent with that position. Six officers face murder charges: Sergeant Simroy Mut, Corporal Donovan Fullerton, and Constables Andrew Smith, Sheldon Richards, Randy Rose and Richard Lynch. Fullerton also faces a charge of making a false statement to INDECOM. The defence is led by Hugh Wildman, Althia Grant-Coppin and John Jacobs.

Separately, Park Hall Primary and Infant School in Clarendon reported a break-in discovered Tuesday. A padlock on a grade four classroom was damaged; nothing appeared stolen. School board chair Karin Carti said the school is on summer recess and voiced dismay that someone from the local community may have been involved.