Government says it will not settle out of court with Cabral Douglas on the Tommy Lee Sparta matter

Attorney General Levi Peter says the Government of Dominica will not settle out of court with Cabral Douglas, on the matter involving Jamaican dancehall artiste, Tommy Lee Sparta, which is now before the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice.
 
Douglas is seeking US$3-million in damages, after the Government denied Tommy Lee entry into Dominica, to perform at a concert that he had organized. Peter is not optimistic that there is any realistic prospect of successful negotiation with Douglas with respect to his three million US-dollar price tag.
 
Tommy Lee’s attorney, Bert Samuel revealed to Jamaican media, that the artiste received a monetary offer from Dominica, to settle the matter out of court. He said he has met his client and they are considering the offer. 
 
Peter acknowledged that there are discussions going on between the Jamaicans and government, but stated that their case is distinct and separate from the Douglas matter. He added, “At the moment I don’t see how that chasm could be crossed so that we can arrive at any sort of settlement”. The case was heard for the first time before the CCJ on Monday, and judgment has been reserved on whether or not it should continue.
 
Tommy Lee, whose real name is Leroy Russell, was to perform at a concert in February 2014 in Portsmouth, however, organizations, such as the Dominica Association of Evangelical Churches denounced the artiste’s appearance, saying his music glorifies Satan, and promotes lawlessness and violence.
 
On his arrival in Dominica, 26-year-old Tommy Lee and his three-member team, Tiasha Oralie Russell, Junior Fraser and Mario Christopher Wallace were denied entry, detained and deported the following day. The government of Dominica said its action was taken in the interest of public safety.