RODNEY CHIN, the main prosecution witness in the Cuban light-bulb corruption and money-laundering case against Kern Spencer and Coleen Wright, has said it was while he was in jail that Spencer told him about the magnitude of the infamous energy-saving programme.

"When I asked what it was about, he (Spencer) enlightened me on the situation," Chin said during yesterday's sixth day of the trial.

Chin was arrested and charged on February 26 last year, along with Spencer and Wright, in connection with their roles in the implementation of the energy-saving project.

He was initially accused of facilitating the commission of a crime through the setting up of several companies, but the Crown subsequently decided not to pursue the case against him.

During his testimony yesterday, Chin painted a picture of Spencer hounding him with phone calls to cover for him. He said he received "multiples of tens" of phone calls from the North East St Elizabeth member of parliament.

Chin said that same day, Spencer called him and told him Dr Omar Davies, the opposition spokesman on finance, would call him to find out about the project. Chin said Spencer told him, to tell Davies that the business connected to the light-bulb distribution was being conducted by him and that Spencer had nothing to do with it.

First told in october

Chin told the court that despite being listed as a director of companies involved in the project, he first became aware of the project's existence on October 23, 2007 - the day former energy minister Clive Mullings took the matter to Parliament.

He said he signed two post-dated letters at Spencer's request. He said Spencer told him it was necessary because there was no evidence that his companies had expressed an interest in the jobs. He said he signed the documents.

Chin also told the court that Spencer later asked him to prepare a job letter and contract for Sherine Shakes, who had been performing the role of project manager, but he refused.

"By this time, I started to have my doubts about the legitimacy of the programme. I did not sign because I did not want to commit myself any further," Chin said.

Earlier, Resident Magistrate Judith Pusey refused an application from Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn to amend the charges against Wright under the Corruption Prevention Act.

Pusey said the change would deprive the accused of a defence.