THA leader Farley Augustine has claimed that the leaked audio recording circulating on social media was initially received by him as part of a blackmail plot by a contractor.
He made the revelation while speaking at a press conference this morning.
Mr Augustine claimed that a contractor, which he named as Warner Construction, brought the leaked audio recording to his attention two months before it was leaked.
He said the contractor attempted to extort him into resuming payment on questionable contracts (for which payment was halted) while the contracts were under review.
Warner Construction is part of the Warner Group of companies owned by businessman Allan Warner.
Warner was linked with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley when the UNC claimed that Dr Rowley failed to declare a discount given to him on a multi-million dollar condo in a development owned by a company under the Warner Group.
Mr Augustine also claimed that PNM officials contacted him and encouraged him to pay Warner Construction $60million out of the $100m sum given to the THA by Central Government to partially pay the 300m owed to contractors.