Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

Spencer

NORTH EAST St Elizabeth Member of Parliament, Kern Spencer, will return to the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court tomorrow to answer charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.

Spencer was released on a $10-million bail on February 29 after spending three nights in police lock-up. He was charged, alongside businessman Rodney Chin and his personal assistant Coleen Wright, as criminal investigations intensified in the Cuban light-bulb scandal.

Spencer, who is a member of the People's National Party (PNP), is accused of acting improperly when, as state minister in the energy ministry, he exercised control over an energy-saving light-bulb project which cost$276 million to implement.

The Cuban light-bulb project, which was formally called the 4M Project, is a joint energy-saving initiative between the governments of Jamaica and Cuba.

The Cuban government had gifted Jamaica with four million energy-saving bulbs and 300 volunteers to help in the replacement of the less energy-efficient incandescent bulbs. The project lasted 18 months.

A scandal later emerged when new Energy Minister Clive Mullings announced that there were several improprieties in the project. Probes were ordered, after which Spencer, who exercised ministerial duties over the project, was slapped with nine criminal charges.

He is facing six counts of money laundering, two counts of conspiracy to defraud, and a Breach of the Corruption Prevention Act.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com