Up until today, there were no publicized details of the very private battle between Dean Lindo, one of the founding members of the United Democratic Party and a former UDP Minister, and Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Sports, Public Service, Governance and Improvement, and Elections and Boundaries.
The dispute started over a loan dating a few years back, which until recently, was not paid.
Very reliable information to Amandala is that earlier this year, Lindo took a civil matter to court, in which he contended that he had given Saldivar a small loan, with no major terms, and no interest.
We understand that Saldivar had made some payment to the loan, but at some point, the payment stopped. Lindo, for his part, indicated that he wanted the rest of the loan paid.
The matter was heard before Magistrate Dorothy Flowers, who handled the case. Saldivar failed to make an appearance in his defense while the matter was before the court.
After several adjournments, Magistrate Flowers ruled in Lindo’s favor by default, and it was ordered that Saldivar must make full reimbursement of the loan.
Even with the judgment in Lindo’s favor, he was still not paid, and as a result, he had a committal warrant brought against Saldivar a few days ago.
At press time tonight, through text messaging correspondence with Saldivar, we were made to understand that the instant that the warrant was issued on him, Saldivar dealt with the matter.
Saldivar also told us that he paid his debt in full, and if there is any lingering assertion suggesting otherwise, those would be false and malicious.
Saldivar continued, “I acknowledge that Mr. Lindo had assisted me with some money after my defeat in 1998 when I was at the lowest point in my life. I am still thankful for his help, as I was able to feed my family.
Saldivar mentioned that he had not thought that Lindo would “go this far,” but that such was his right. He categorically stated that he has fullfilled his obligations.
Saldivar said, “Why Mr. Lindo has chosen to suggest publicly that the debt has not been paid when it was settled over two weeks ago is beyond me.”
We were not able to speak with Dean Lindo for comment.