Daryl Vaz
Daryl Wesley Phillip Vaz is a Jamaican politician.[1][2] He was the Minister of Information and Telecommunications in Jamaica from March 2009 to January 2012. His party lost the election and Vaz is now opposition spokesman on Telecommunications. Vaz also serves as Minister Of Parliament for the constituency of Portland Parish Western Division. [3][4]
He was born in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica to Douglas and Sonia Vaz.[5] His father is a former president of the Jamaica Manufacturers Association and former Minister of Industry and Commerce.[6]
Daryl Vaz engendered some controversy over his dual United States/Jamaican nationality. His mother, Sonia, was born in Puerto Rico and thus is a United States citizen by birth, albeit also a Jamaican citizen, currently resident in Canada. In 2008 or 2009 he renounced his United States citizenship in order to remain active in Jamaican politics.[7]
Controversy
Corruption Charges
Vaz was charged with corruption after an investigation into a traffic violation and bribery charge involving a close personal friend. Vaz’s friend Bruce Bicknell was ticketed on April 9, 2012, in a traffic offence and allegedly presented the police officer with JA$2000 along with vehicle documents. [8] It is alleged that Mr. Vaz told the police sergeant in the case that he would be promoted if he gave Bicknell a chance. Vaz stepped down from his shadow minister post for the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), as a result of the corruption charges.[9]
References
- ↑ Virtue, Erica (2009-03-10). "Vaz shows proof he no longer hold U.S. citizenship". Retrieved 2012-05-14.
- ↑ "Members of Parliament". Jamaica Information Service. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
- ↑ http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=34675
- ↑ "Ministers and Ministries" (PDF). Jamaica Information Service. November 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
- ↑ Jamaica Observer: Daryl Vaz - Newsmaker
- ↑ Jamaica Manufacturers Association Ltd. - Past Presidents
- ↑ Daryl Vaz renounces United States citizenship
- ↑ http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Police-Federation-defends-Sgt-Llewellyn
- ↑ http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/News/Vaz-steps-aside_12331030