The Free National Movement is standing behind its candidate for the upcoming North Abaco by-election despite malicious allegations about his employment.
In a statement sent out by Acting FNM Chairman, Darren Cash, he said the party is aware of “malicious allegations” being made about Greg Gomez’s integrity.
“Reports coming to the attention of the leadership of the FNM suggest that some in the media and in government circles allege that Mr. Gomez was never employed in the Florida School System and further allege that he was engaged in the 52 week programme and not as a public officer in training for the post of Family Island Assistant Administrator prior to the May 7 General Election.”
According to Mr. Cash, party members have evidence verifying that the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Education Certification issued Mr. Gomez with a certificate attesting to his qualification as a teacher of Business Education for grades six through 12.
“The FNM leadership have also had sight of pay slips evidencing Mr. Gomez’s employment at three different Middle Schools in South Florida over a four year period – as a substitute teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Miami, and a full time teacher at Carroll City Middle School in Carroll City, Florida and at the Lawton Chiles Middle School,” Mr. Cash said.
“As to Mr. Gomez’s engagement by the Department of Local Government, the FNM confirms that Mr. Gomez had commenced his training to become a Family Island Administrator in the office of the Local Government Administrator in Marsh Harbour. The training was undertaken by the Administrator, Cephas Cooper, on instruction from the Under Secretary in the Local Government Department, Renee Glinton. The under secretaries instructions on the matter originated from the Office of the Permanent Secretary responsible for Local Government.”
Mr. Cash explained that following the May elections, Administrator Cooper was told to stop Mr. Gomez’s training as the ministry was no longer proceeding with his appointment.
“It appears that the new PLP Government determined that Mr. Gomez was no longer suitable for the post as he was perceived to be a supporter of the FNM,” the acting chairman said.
“All efforts by Mr. Gomez, to gain clarification on his continued employment proved fruitless. He made an appointment to meet with the Minister but the appointment was not honoured by Minister [Alfred] Gray who left him sitting in the reception area of his ministry. The permanent secretary also refused to see him and the under secretary who ultimately called him into her office offered him advice on how to submit an appeal to the minister for reconsideration.”
Mr. Cash said the secretary also confirmed to the FNM’s candidate that the new government labeled him as “red.”
“In an effort to make salary payments to Mr. Gomez for the period of time he was engaged in the office of the Family Island Administrator in Marsh Harbour, Mr. Gomez was placed on the 52 week programme; a position from which Mr. Gomez resigned in July,” he said.
The PLP has charged that Mr. Gomez is unemployed – something FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis only recently confirmed.
The ruling party has also said it was “improper” for Mr. Gomez, who is 39, to take part in the government’s job training programme, as he is over the age of 30.
The FNM camp had been silent about Mr. Gomez’s unemployment until pressed by the media.
A Nassau Guardian article, which was published Tuesday, quoted Minister of Labour, Shane Gibson admitting certain details about Mr. Gomez’s NIB records.
He said the records show that contributions were made for Gomez in February 2012 for one month by a plumbing company.
