Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damien Gomez is denying claims that he owes a former client nearly $1 million dollars.
Media reports surfaced this weekend that Attain Takitota – a Japanese expatriate who successfully sued the Bahamas Government for wrongful imprisonment– is now getting set to sue Mr. Gomez for the money which he claims the minister is holding without his permission.
In a writ filed in the Supreme Court, Mr. Takitota alleges that Minister Gomez took control of more than $900,000 without his permission.
In fact, Mr. Takitota claimed Mr. Gomez, acting on his behalf, collected more than $1.5 million which he said was awarded to him by the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council.
He further claimed that he has only received $517,000 from Mr. Gomez between January 2007 and July 2011.
Mr. Gomez and his former law partner John Deal are also accused of taking some $500,000 for legal fees without his permission.
The Japanese expatriate claims he was not charged a fair and reasonable fee for the legal services and is now seeking damages.
However, Minister Gomez in a statement issued this past weekend said no monies are owed to Mr. Takitota by Chilcott Chambers or Deal & Gomez.
Minister Gomez pointed out that on February 23rd, 2006 and March 18th, 2009 the Court of Appeal made two rulings in which it required the government to pay Mr. Takitota the sum of $700,000 along with interest and legal fees.
Further, the minister said following negotiations on behalf of Mr. Takitota, the government paid a further cheque to Chilcott Chambers in the sum of $225,912.92.
Mr. Gomez said no further cheques have been received by either Deal & Gomez or Chilcott Chambers.
Additionally, Mr. Gomez said Mr. Takitota agreed in contract to pay fees for legal services which were to be paid for at $500.00 per hour or 20 per cent of funds which was to be received from the government or whichever was the greater.
Further Mr. Gomez said Mr. Takitota has been billed in accordance with the fee schedule agreed to by Mr. Takitota and the funds have been withheld by Chilcott Chambers.
