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By CARIBUPDATE NEWS SERVICE

June 8, 2012

ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA: The office of Grenada’s Prime Minister has issued document it says is a photocopy the bank declaration form the leader signed when he received 50-thousand US dollars in January.

The reported donation has been at the center of some controversy and debate since the Grenada opposition said “a high level” government official had received money “from a source in Saudi Arabia.”

A government statement later said that Prime Minister Thomas had received US$50,000 through a bank transfer from “a corporate resident in the British Virgin Islands” who wanted to be anonymous.

The photocopied document sent out late Friday to select members of the media bore what appears to be the signature of Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.

People who are familiar with his signatures said it looked authentic.

On the declaration form, it stated that the purpose for the donation of nearly 50-thousand US dollars was a “contribution to the National Democratic Congress,” the country’s ruling party.

The document released to the media had blotted out the name of the donor.

An additional source of confusion has been whether the money was transferred to the coffers of the ruling party itself.

Deputy Leader Nazim Burke told a radio interview in Grenada that it is normal for certain officers of the party to receive donations on behalf of the movement, and have it used as they see appropriate without full disclosures to the entire executive.