Stewart: I’m not a scammer

By: rochelle.clayton@gleanerjm.com

Image caption: The People’s National Party (PNP) councillor candidate for the Montego Bay South East division, Lanzel Stewart

PNP candidate defends integrity amid social media scrutiny

The People’s National Party (PNP) councillor candidate for the Montego Bay South East division, Lanzel Stewart, has sought to defend his integrity as his old social media posts have come under heavy scrutiny.

Stewart told The Gleaner that the posts were taken out of context as his only intention was to entertain his followers.

In the posts, which have been making their rounds across various social media platforms on Friday, the PNP councillor candidate can be seen on video reciting “another day, another dollar. Another night, another client”, while posing with US currency.

In addition, multiple screenshots of photographs of money, reportedly from an Instagram account bearing the name and photograph of the candidate, also made rounds on social media.

Stewart did not deny that the account belongs to him. However, he said that he does not participate in lottery scamming.

“The videos were for entertainment purposes and they are from two years ago when I was going to Atlanta. I bought some US from NCB and my friend who works at Margaritaville,” Stewart explained.

The councillor candidate maintained that he is a law-abiding citizen and trained physical education teacher at the St James High School.

He pointed out that while he understands that the social media posts are suggestive, he is willing to undergo a background check if needed.

“You know the trend came out about ‘another day, another dollar’ so I was doing that for fun. It meant nothing, but if they want to check my background to see who I am, I have no problem with that. I am not a scammer. I am just a teacher and I will continue serving the people,” the PNP candidate told The Gleaner.

In the meantime, Stewart said he believes he is the victim of a malicious act as he has gained popularity as the PNP candidate in the Montego Bay South East division.

“I am in the division as a councillor candidate and I am doing my work. But my colleagues on the other side are getting scared of what I am doing in my division,” he said.

“People out there understand what is going on and they need a change, so they are gravitating to my side and they have seen that, so what they are trying to do now is put out some stuff by going on my social media page, taking off some posts to say that I am a scammer,” Steward added.

Stating that he is not pointing fingers at his challenger, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) councillor candidate Arthur Lynch, Stewart told The Gleaner that he is of the view that JLP supporters are behind his social media attack.

“I am not going to say it’s the councillor candidate, but it’s someone from his team – and the Jamaica Labour Party at large – that is doing this,” Stewart claimed.

At the same time, the councillor candidate is undaunted by the backlash, stating that he is “fit and ready” to serve the people.

He is also confident that he will be named the next councillor when the results of the polls are announced on February 26.

“They are trying to bring me down while bringing down the People’s National Party and Montego Bay South East, but I am here staying firm. I am staying on the ground. I am for the people and I am with the people,” he said.

“I am fit for the election. I am a government worker as a teacher. I don’t indulge in things and they know that. I have taught a lot of persons from my division and they know who I am,” Stewart maintained as he appealed to those circulating these videos and images to desist as their claims are “baseless and without truth”.

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