Businessman Steve Ferguson says he intends to appeal a ruling passed down by a Miami jury on Wednesday, in which he was found liable in a multi-million-dollar civil asset forfeiture claim in relation to the redevelopment of the Piarco International Airport, 22 years ago.
The Government began US litigation in 2004 when it sought to recoup US$37 million from those accused of corruption which included Ferguson, former Minister of Finance Brian Kuei Tung and US-based businessman Raul Gutierrez.
The State maintained that Ferguson, Kuei Tung and Gutierrez conspired with others to corrupt the bidding process on two construction packages and the maintenance contract for the airport.
On Wednesday, former Attorney General and corporate representative for TT in the matter Faris Al-Rawi, told Newsday the jury found the trio liable for US$32,385,988 each in damages suffered by TT.
[caption id="attachment_1008555" align="alignnone" width="992"] Faris Al-Rawi -[/caption]
Al-Rawi served as TT's representative after a US appeals court affirmed the disqualification of Attorney General Reginald Armour, SC and Miami law firm Sequor Law from representing this country in February.
Their disqualification came after concerns of a conflict of interest arose as Armour once represented Kuei Tung in TT.
A motion to strike out the lawsuit and disqualify Armour and Sequor Law was also supported by Ferguson.
Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, Ferguson asserted that several elements of the case were prejudicial and confirmed that appellate attorneys have begun working on filing an appeal.
He also accused Al-Rawi of entering false statements during the trial.
Referring to issues that were raised when Kuei Tung was unable to attend a deposition owing to eye surgery on the same day, Ferguson said he was concerned his fellow defendant was not treated fairly.
"There are a whole host of things and other legal issues that were highly prejudicial.
"The jury instructions was that Mr Kuei Tung was guilty, how can you start a trial by saying someone is guilty?
"Brian Kuei Tung had eye surgery on the day of the deposition and the surgery was urgent, so he was unable to attend the deposition.
"The judge struck off his entire defence and considered him guilty and then gives the jury the directions that Mr Kuei Tung is guilty.
"It was obscenely ridiculous."
Ferguson also claimed that the jury in the matter were able to arrive at a verdict in an hour and remarked that it often takes years to understand how contracts are awarded and what procedures were followed before a conclusion could be made.
[caption id="attachment_1008541" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Brian Kuei Tung -[/caption]
On Wednesday, Al-Rawi said the State was entitled to prejudgment interest of at least US$25 million, but Ferguson contended that it was too early to make such remarks. He also said the final judgment will be in excess of US$100 million (TT$700 million).
"It is a real farce and our attorneys have already assured us that they will do it (app
