PURITANS BURN ISAT BUCHANAN AT THE STAKE
Controversial attorney Isat Buchanan has been suspended for two years by the General Legal Council for berating the Director of Public Prosecutions. Although Buchanan caused his predicament his punishment is reflective of puritanical sentiments rather than a desire to maintain the integrity of the legal profession. His prosecutors contend that his comments have impugned the dignity of the profession, but this superficial argument should be approached with caution. Mr. Buchanan's propensity for profane outbursts does not imply ineptitude and neither do they discredit the legal profession. The decision to punish Buchanan for vulgarity is hyperemotional and indicative of hysteria. However such hypersensitivity is consistent with the puritanical character of Jamaicans who are unable to differentiate between substantial breaches and character flaws. Punishing people for being rude is an abuse of power that should not be tolerated. Further, though many agree with the GLC's decision, others are wondering why the GLC has not approach other infractions with equal seriousness. Rogue attorneys continue to defraud clients without being sanctioned.
Years ago, a member of the business elite wanted her attorney to sue the GLC for failing to disbar an unscrupulous attorney. There was also the case of an attorney from a prominent family who was never disbarred despite accusations of fraud, in fact he died as an elderly man. Similarly, another attorney from a political family was embroiled in a fraud case but continues his trade as an elderly man. So, if the GLC is expecting praises for punishing Mr. Buchanan, they will not emanate from sensible people. The GLC should really rethink its position because it sets a bad precedent
Lipton Matthews
Editorial Stance. Exposing sensitive information is problematic when the relevant parties refuse to share their experiences. Therefore, I will not engage in a tirade against corrupt attorneys in Jamaica because doing so could elicit charges of libel. But I will state that scandals trail several elite attorneys who have done more to sully the profession than Isat Buchanan.
Object 1: This personality is a distinguished attorney known for aggressive outbursts and even threatened to attack a judge in public. He was never punished.
Object 2: Mr. Anonymous was called to the bar before Jamaican became independent and was frequently involved in corrupt wranglings. His allegations were adjudicated by the GLC but he was never suspended. Anonymous had a brand name surname.
Object 3: Scion of an elite black family who was accused of misconduct. His matter was assessed by the GLC. I will not share intimate details to expose him but will say that he is still an attorney.
Object 4: Disbarred attorney who fleeced clients for years until he was punished.
Object 5: Attorney from upper class family who defrauded elites and was only disbarred recently.
Object 6: Attorney from legal family with a history of corruption, who enjoys soliciting sexual favours from prospective clients.
Object 7: Attorney from upper class family with a trail of scandals, but still remains a pillar of the profession.
Object 8: Attorney who was removed from the list of attorneys after years of misconduct.
Object 9: Attorney with multiple allegations hoovering behind his name but was recently disbarred
Object 10: Not an attorney but product of a political family who engaged in bribes during tenure as a civil servant. None of the attorneys who saw it fit to lodge a complaint against Buchanan investigated him.
Non-law corruption
Object 11: Politician who told a businessman that he would solve a problem for him if paid US$ 500,000
Object 12: Politician who constantly solicit bribes despite assailing corruption.
Object 13: Civil society advocate with a hanky panky business, but always opposing corruption.
Object 14: Politician who has amassed a fortune and business empire despite never working outside politics and is not from a rich family. Nobody can do business in a certain sector without him benefiting.
Object 15: Businessman who appeared out of nowhere and bought a major enterprise with illicit funds.
Object 16: This business family wanted to imprison a corrupt employee for defrauding the business but rewarded the collaborator who was a close family friend and pays another family friend millions for consulting work.
Object 17: Flashy businessman who defrauds partners and never stays in one business. Always launching enterprises that go nowhere.
Object 18: Politically connected businessman who constantly complains about corruption and employs people of questionable character.
Object 19: Shady businessman who transformed himself and his past is never questioned.
Gross incompetence and corruption
Object 20: Government minister who spent years writing books in the office when he should have been working.
Object 21: Senior civil servant who read newspaper at work everyday when he should have resigned.
Object 22: Civil servant who promoted his boytoy despite him not having any experience.
Object 23: Senior civil servant who promoted an inept official who has failed to lead his department.
Object 24: Civil servant who was appointed to lead technical agency despite being severely under-qualified.
Object 25: Civil servant who slept with senior officials and was promoted beyond her competence and eventually brought a political administration into disrepute due to her incompetence.
Object 26: Civil servant from failing government agency who was appointed to lead another failing agency even though this civil servant lacks expertise to lead said agency.
Object 27: Government agency that wanted civil servant to approved an incompetent project. Civil servant had integrity so he resigned.
Object 28: Politically connected businessman who complained that his business was getting insufficient contracts because a prominent politician in his party was securing the contracts.
Object 29: Politician who was sent to head an agency and performed so badly that consultants complained that she not only destroyed the ministry, but also eliminated an entire industry.
Object 30: Politician who flirts with multiple women and rewards them.
So please tell me what Isat did again?