Attorney Garvin Simonette, whose appointment as a cabinet minister was scuttled on Monday following “new information” received by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, has accepted full responsibility for not disclosing a driving under the influence (DUI) in the United States.
In a statement, Simonette, who was due to have replaced former public administration minister Marlene McDonald, also announced that he was stepping down as a senator.
McDonald was granted $2 million bail after she was charged with four other people on conspiring to defraud the government, money laundering and in her case, misbehaviour in public office.
In the statement, Simonette confirmed his past arrest on a DUI charge, adding “I have advised the Prime Minister that in light of adverse media coverage regarding my culpability for driving under the influence, it would be inappropriate for me to accept his appointment…. I have also advised him of my resignation from the Senate with immediate effect.
“I sincerely apologize for any embarrassment caused because of my past infraction. The last 16 months as a Senator provides ample evidence of my commitment to serving my country in the best possible way,” he wrote, thanking Rowley for the opportunity to have served and remains remained committed to the advancement of the country.
