Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet is demanding that Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre account for approximately EC$110 million reportedly made available to the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund before the December 2025 general election — and disclose whether Richard Frederick continues to collect his full ministerial salary while on administrative leave.
In an open letter dated November 10, addressed to Pierre and Director of Finance Imran Williams, Chastanet challenged the administration to reveal who authorised the funding, how it moved through government accounts and who ultimately received it.
His central question: “What is there to hide?”
The opposition leader linked his demands to unresolved allegations surrounding the SSDF, including those commonly referred to as “Cheques for Sex,” and renewed his call for an independent audit and a Commission of Inquiry.
Chastanet argued that placing Frederick on administrative leave does not resolve the wider questions about an institution entrusted with helping vulnerable Saint Lucians.
According to the letter, Pierre announced on August 31 that Frederick had been placed on administrative leave in connection with matters surrounding the SSDF and would no longer attend Cabinet meetings or perform ministerial duties while those matters were addressed.
Chastanet wants the Prime Minister to explain the rules governing that arrangement, how long it is expected to last and what taxpayers are paying during the period.
“Is Mr. Frederick continuing to receive his full ministerial salary, allowances and benefits while on administrative leave? If so, under what authority?” he asked.
The demand for answers extends well beyond the minister’s pay.
Chastanet is seeking a detailed account of the approximately EC$110 million he said was generated through the Citizenship by Investment Programme and reportedly made available to the SSDF in the months before the election.
He called for disclosure of the accounts through which the money passed, the dates and amounts of individual transfers, the officials who approved them and the authority under which the funds were released.
He also wants the government to publish the programmes financed, recipients, amounts disbursed and any money remaining.
“This substantial sum demands particular scrutiny,” Chastanet wrote.
The opposition leader pointed to what he described as the Director of Finance’s responsibilities in both institutions: chairing the National Economic Fund’s board and serving as deputy chairman of the SSDF.
He asked whether the money first entered the National Economic Fund before being allocated to the SSDF, moved directly from CIP accounts or reached the agency through another arrangement. He also demanded an explanation of how the applicable financial rules and approval procedures were followed.
On the allegations surrounding the distribution of assistance, Chastanet said complainants must be heard and protected, relevant records preserved and anyone found responsible for wrongdoing held accountable.
“Simply announcing that an audit is underway is not enough,” he wrote.
He called on the administration to identify who commissioned the announced audit, who is conducting it, what it covers, when it will be completed and whether its findings will be published.
Alongside an independent audit with full access to relevant records, he requested publication of the SSDF’s outstanding audited financial statements, reports identifying financial or administrative weaknesses and the corresponding National Economic Fund financial reports.
Chastanet framed the issue against the household pressures he described in the letter, arguing that families struggling with food, utility and fuel costs deserve proof that assistance intended for them is reaching them.
“Public assistance is intended to provide relief to struggling families,” he wrote. “Those who depend on it deserve to know that the money allocated for their benefit is reaching them and that every dollar is properly accounted for.”
He ended with a direct challenge to Pierre: “If there is nothing to hide, there should be no hesitation in providing those answers.”
