Photo: Hon. Andre Perez, Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation
BELMOPAN, Mon. Aug. 21, 2023
In what reads like a salacious episode out of the television series, Scandal, the Briceño Administration is being racked by a sex scandal that now sees a sitting minister of Government stepping out of Cabinet as an investigation is conducted. Minister Andre Perez’ withdrawal from his seat of power is being called a “leave of absence”, and a release today from the Government Press Office indicates that when the investigation is concluded, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Anthony Sylvestre will advise the Prime Minister whether there has been any actionable wrongdoing on the part of the Minister. Until such time, Prime Minister John Briceño will hold over Perez’ portfolio duties.
The convoluted web of scandalous allegations came to the fore on Thursday, August 17, when multiple screenshots of WhatsApp messages were circulated on social media. In them, Caye Caulker based attorney, Wendy Auxillou was communicating to the Prime Minister as far back as April this year, that Minister Perez had engaged in sexual predatory behaviour which subsequently descended into implied threats against her that caused her to leave the country in fear. She sent the Prime Minister screenshots of her conversations with Perez, some dating back to May of 2022 where the Minister sent her overt sexual solicitations and a photo of his genitalia. She also tells the PM that she is 98.99% certain that the Minister engaged in similar behaviour with other women and shared such unsolicited photos with others.
After those messages were circulated, the Minister responded in a 7-page exposé of his own prepared by his attorneys. The statement outlines with great detail that it had been a consensual relationship which he says was intentionally initiated by Auxillou under the guise she wanted to help with the village council elections for Caye Caulker. He notes that instead of “being strong and walking away, he gave in to the moment of weakness.” The document even included WhatsApp screenshots with photos Auxillou reportedly sent him of her on vacation in August of 2022. The press release notes that Auxillou sought the Minister’s help to get her liquor license and made requests for expedited land transactions for her family and clients, but when he did not comply, she sought to weaponize their exchanges and his photos by releasing them publicly. The document states, “The messages clearly indicate she was friendly and despite her decision to call off the relationship, she kept a close friendship always seeking favour[s] which were not forthcoming, thus resulting in the fabrication of being sexually harassed and getting unsolicited advances and even that her life is threatened, which are all false.” Minister Perez denies making any threats against Auxillou.
Minister Perez opened his 7-page statement saying, “I am most remorseful for the shame and pain I have brought on my wife, my children and you the people who voted for me and supported me, and I ask your forgiveness and that all attacks be levied against me, but not my family nor my party.” On Friday, an attack came from an arm of the Opposition United Democratic Party calling for his removal from Cabinet. The National Organization of Women also called for a police investigation as well as for the Privileges Committee of the House of Representatives to review the matter. The Chairman of the UDP, Michael Peyrefitte on Friday told the media that the Opposition is not interested in the personal, sexual life of PUP ministers. Instead, he affirmed, “we’re interested when public assets are at play for private matters … Our concern comes into the fore when you’re talking about criminal activity potentially. We call for an investigation. And we believe it’s only proper, given the seriousness of the talks that’s going on, including the lands and the potential criminal activity, that the Minister should step away from his duties.”
When asked about the case last week, Prime Minister Briceño told the media that he does not believe the threshold for misconduct on the Minister’s part had been met. Now, the investigation will determine if that is the case. As we go to press tonight, there is no indication that either party has filed a police report.