Confirmation this afternoon that Opposition Chief Whip Dr. David Lee has been arrested and charged with Misbehavior in Public Office.

It is linked to allegations that Lee purchased a $2.3 million Mercedes-Benz on behalf of a UNC party financier, in order to access the $1.4 million in tax exemptions afforded to him as a Member for Parliament.

The Point-a-Pierre MP was brought before a Justice of the Peace this afternoon and was released on $1million bail.

Prior to the formal charge, when asked about the matter, Lee dismissed the allegations as PNM mischief.

Last month, at a UNC Virtual Report meeting, he was backed by party leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who welcomed police to continue their investigations, calling it a mere distraction.

“Why come with it now – but you can’t handle what’s happening to you,” Persad-Bissessar said, referencing  a car transfer by Local Government Minister Faris Al-Rawi to attorney Roger Kawalsingh.