Attorney General Jeffrey Beattie, in his letter to President Tommy Remengesau, said there was nothing wrong about how the AGO handled the cases which were “supported by strong evidence,” including bank documents.
He noted that Harley’s reason for asking for the dismissal of the cases was Tim Taunton’s unknown whereabouts.Taunton is PSB’s former president.Beattie said what is “disturbing” is Harley’s performance and the dismissal of three of the four PSB criminal cases.Beattie noted that Harley’s witness statements alleging irregularities came from the defendants.“What is surprising is that the republic’s prosecutor is accepting those allegations at face value, and adopting them as his official position,” Beattie said.It also appears, he added, that Harley has no intention of putting anybody in jail for the crimes committed relating to PSB because of his claim that he is on a verge of a $15 million settlement.“He does not say he has any settlement agreement only negotiations,” the AG said. “He does not explain why he dismissed the cases even before he even has a settlement agreement.”Harley, instead of working with the AGO, has been hostile, threatening criminal sanctions against people who questioned him, Beattie said.“He has attempted to have an expert mentor from the United Nations deported because he pointed out the lack of progress in his cases. He has attempted to have an assistant attorney general dismissed because, he claims, the AAG was involved in giving his performance reviewed,” Beattie added.He said Harley “appears to have no intention of bringing back Taunton [a citizen of New Zealand] to Palau to face justice.”There is no indication that Harley made a formal extradition request to New Zealand authorities, the AG stated.Beattie said he is upset for the PSB depositors who may not see any results from Harley’s investigation.He said Harley’s job is to bring the criminals to justice with criminal sanctions and provide monetary settlements to the depositors.
