Chebat Denies Favoring Former Campaign Worker Ben Garcia

The arrest of Benjamin Garcia has become more than a firearm case. It has also raised questions about political access and whether his connection to the Minister of National Security influenced how authorities handled the matter. Garcia, who worked on Michel Chebat’s 2025 election campaign, has since pleaded guilty to firearm-related charges. But Chebat firmly denies intervening on his behalf, insisting that Garcia received no special treatment. The minister says his position was clear from the beginning: let the legal process take its course and treat Garcia like any other accused person. Here is how Chebat responded to the allegations of political interference.

 

Michel Chebat, Minister of National Security

“Perhaps one of your blessing and your curse is that you’re a minister who answers the calls. And so people would assume that politically connected people will be calling you. Case in point, Benjamin Garcia. What input did you have in, if at all, in the Benjamin Garcia arrest and the treatment he received during that arrest?”

 

Michel Chebat

“So I was briefed on that very early in the morning when that happened, and my reaction was, he needs to go through the process.”

 

Shane Williams

“And so and your reaction to people believing that this is an individual close to you who probably had some.”

 

Michel Chebat

“Well, Ben is a media personality and I’m not running away from the fact that he had worked with me in my 2025 campaign. But he works with many other persons, you know? I’m not the only one. It’s not exclusive to me. This is the work he does.”

 

National Security CEO Francis Usher says Benjamin Garcia’s firearm license has also been revoked following the incident.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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