KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Integrity Commission (IC) refers only a small fraction of its investigations to other agencies for further action, according to the commission’s Director of Investigations, Kevon Stephenson. Appearing before Parliament’s Integrity Commission Oversight Committee (ICOC) on Tuesday, Stephenson revealed that just over three per cent of cases handled by the IC over the past five years were referred to external entities, including the Financial Investigations Division (FID) and Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ).
During his testimony, Stephenson emphasized the IC’s cautious approach in managing referrals. He explained that while other agencies may share overlapping powers, the IC’s independence in handling matters related to public officials is paramount. “We must be careful not to divest the functions we are responsible for,” he said, responding to questions from committee member Julian Robinson, MP for St Andrew South Eastern. He added that preserving the IC’s independence is crucial, especially when assessing the extent of authority enjoyed by other agencies.
Stephenson noted that referrals are often accompanied by requests for additional information from relevant bodies, including the FID and TAJ. He also highlighted opportunities for collaboration, mentioning the IC’s involvement in joint investigations with other authorities.
The issue of referrals gained attention recently when the IC, in its investigation of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s financial affairs, recommended that both the FID and TAJ further scrutinize the prime minister’s business dealings. The nearly 200-page report underscored the importance of cross-agency cooperation in cases involving high-ranking public officials.
