Legal papers filed against US blogger and Dominica journalist

Legal proceedings have begun against a financial crime consultant and blogger who has waged a "smear campaign" against high ranking Dominica politicians – including the prime minister,

Yesterday WIC News revealed that Kenneth Rijock, a former money launderer, was to be at the centre of a lawsuit regarding "seriously dishonest" articles he has written about Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and the country's Citizenship by Investment Programme.

In our exclusive interview, the government's senior counsel Anthony Astaphan said that Florida-based Rijock uses his Financial Crime Blog "to give a veneer of credibility but it is all fake".

“I have never seen one person produce so many lies and alternative facts," he added.

Legal experts working for Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit and senior officials are now looking for an apology and a retraction from both Rijock and local journalist Matt Peltier.

Peltier is a host on Dominica's Q95FM radio station, which hosted Rijock earlier this month.

According to legal documents seen by WIC News, Peltier is liable for damages because of his "irresponsible conduct in permitting Rijock the licence to broadcast and re-broadcast" his accusations on Q95FM.

The host failed to undertake any due diligence on Rijock, it is claimed.

As well as an apology and retraction, lawyers are looking for compensation and payment of legal costs.

Legal battles mounting

Rijock's Financial Crime Blog first turned it's attention to Dominica earlier this year, accusing the prime minister of being under investigation in the US over the sale of a diplomatic passport to Alireza Zabahalat Monfared.

Iranian Monfared is a known sanctions violator.

Dominica was featured in the blog again this month, with Rijock alleging the sale of up to 10,000 blank Dominican passports to Morocco's ambassador to the island.

Both allegations were denied by the government.

Speaking to WIC News on Monday, Rijock said he stood by his blog posts.

Last week it emerged that Rijock faces further legal action in Florida for “a malicious and relentless campaign of fake news”.