Calls to Reopen Croal Street Fire/Murder Investigation
VPAC has announced plans to file a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit on behalf of its Chairman, Dorwain Bess, against Robin Singh, a vocal member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The action follows recent public statements by Singh labeling Bess a “career criminal”—an allegation VPAC says is blatantly false and defamatory.
According to VPAC, Mr. Bess has never been convicted of any crime, either in Guyana or abroad. The organization strongly condemns Singh’s remarks, labeling them as “reckless, malicious, and politically motivated,” and designed to undermine the credibility of a political opponent ahead of Guyana’s September elections.
“Accusations are not evidence. Only convictions are,” VPAC stated. “Mr. Bess has never even been arraigned, let alone convicted, in relation to any of the cases Singh and the PPP have referenced. All charges were reviewed and dismissed by the U.S. justice system. That’s the truth.”
VPAC alleges that Singh and the PPP deliberately ignored the outcomes of those cases to mislead the public and discredit Bess. The organization further claims that this misinformation campaign is part of a broader pattern of weaponizing unproven accusations to target individuals the PPP perceives as threats.
Adding fuel to the fire, VPAC is also calling for an official investigation into serious allegations surrounding Robin Singh himself. The group is demanding that authorities reopen the case into the 2012 Croal Street fire, which resulted in the death of a man and was officially ruled an act of arson by former Fire Chief Marlon Gentle.
Singh, the owner of the property where the fire occurred, is accused of paying over $7 million to allegedly suppress evidence related to the incident. VPAC argues that these unresolved questions about Singh’s integrity must be fully addressed by both the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force.
“While Singh hurls baseless accusations, he faces explosive allegations tied to the tragic Croal Street fire. His recent online remarks—mocking Mr. Bess as a ‘career criminal’—are not only defamatory but a transparent attempt to divert public scrutiny from his own legal vulnerabilities,” the VPAC statement added.
VPAC insists that the lawsuit is about more than one man’s reputation. “This is about preserving truth in public discourse and protecting our democracy from deliberate misinformation during an election season. The people of Guyana deserve better,” the group said.
The organization affirmed its full support for Chairman Bess in pursuing legal action and called on voters to reject what it described as a “grotesque campaign of distraction and deceit.”
“The lies must stop. We will hold those responsible accountable. If it takes a multi-million dollar judgment to remind them of the consequences of spreading falsehoods, so be it,” VPAC concluded.
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