February 12 - 18, 2011
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
7
NATIONAL
Eroded Babalua beach was restored using sand dredged from the ocean floor to accommodate the marina.
The ‘condotel’ scheme was to be built on the site of the historic Third Turtle Inn.
Lawsuit launched against Third Turtle Civil proceedings in place following corruption claims By Gemma Handy CIVIL proceedings have been launched against corruption-accused developers behind one of the TCI’s most controversial resort schemes. Oceanpoint boss Richard Padgett is accused of bribing former Premier Michael Misick and his deputy Floyd Hall in return for favours relating to the Third Turtle Club. However Mr Padgett told the Weekly News he believed the world had “gone mad”, while his lawyers have vowed to fight to ensure his side of the story is heard. The 17-acre project whipped up a rumpus in 2005 after Mr Misick overrode Planning Board height restrictions. The company was given permission to build seven storeys despite this being in excess of national regulations. A lengthy 18-month row – and a string of court battles – ensued with
neighbouring residents who claimed the scheme would destroy the historic site and adjoining national park. Developers kowtowed to pressure in May 2007, agreeing to build five storeys instead. Further contention followed during the Commission of Inquiry when it emerged Mr Padgett had paid Mr Hall a $375,000 ‘finder’s fee’ for the site. The nine-figure ‘condotel’ scheme finally received detailed planning consent in 2009. But in March 2010, Mr Padgett put the project up for sale announcing he had no more “energy” to continue. A month later, civil recovery lawyers confirmed the development had been put on ice amid investigations. A statement released on Tuesday revealed a lawsuit is now officially underway to terminate the development agreement and claim damages, interests and costs
Developer Richard Padgett is accused of bribing former Government Ministers.
due to an alleged series of “corrupt” financial donations to the ousted administration. The Government claims Mr Padgett “conspired” to secure various benefits and advantages, including discounts and “favourable treatment” relating to planning permission. A $161,618.92 portion of the $375,000 payment, made in February 2006, is said to have been redirected by Mr Hall to Mr Misick. Oceanpoint is also accused of giving a third of the shares in Elite
TCI, valued at $228,672.08, to Mr Hall’s wife Lisa in 2007. In addition, Mr Padgett is said to have made four payments to the PNP between March 2006 and March 2007, ranging between $75,000 and $125,000. He also apparently loaned Mr Hall $200,000 in August 2007. The statement added: “These are the latest set of proceedings issued by the civil recovery team since they began their work at the end of 2009. “Proceedings have now been issued by the civil recovery team in respect of most of the major development projects identified by Sir Robin Auld in the Commission of Inquiry report. “The civil recovery team continues to be involved in a substantial number of active recoveries and further sets of proceedings are expected to be brought.” Mr Padgett told the Weekly News on Tuesday: “The world has gone mad.” His attorney Aziz Rahman said his client had a “long and blameless history as a successful businessman” and was “disappointed” by the
measures being taken. “We will forcefully protect our client’s interests using all our expertise and experience in these matters and ensure that his side of the story is heard,” he added. The Third Turtle resort was to be built on the site of the historic Third Turtle Inn, once a favourite haunt for celebrities including legendary supermodel Cheryl Tiegs, baseball great Ted Williams and ‘Jaws’ author Peter Benchley. It was to comprise private butlerserviced condos and penthouses, fine dining restaurants, designer boutiques, a tennis club, spa and fitness centre and a marina accommodating yachts up to 160ft. Uber-luxurious brand RockResorts had been poised to manage the resort. Developers revealed last year that $21m had been ploughed into the scheme during the preceding six years. Third Turtle was one of four developments frozen in April 2010 amid civil recovery investigations. Also being probed are Salt Cay, Dellis Cay and Joe Grant Cay.
Fire in Five Cays DISASTER was averted on Tuesday morning when firefighters extinguished a blaze in a Five Cays
property. The trailer and timber framed residential building contained several
SAVED: Firefighters used a small hose to douse the flames
tanks filled with highly flammable propane. Press officer Ian Arthur said: “The propane tanks made the property a very dangerous environment to be in and if the fire spread to the propane tanks it would have posed a huge threat to life and property. “Luckily the volunteer fire department prides itself in a fast response and the fire was tackled in a timely manner and property and persons are safe.” The Provo fire crew got a call at 8am on Tuesday morning to attend an incident in Five Cays. Two fire trucks containing seven firefighters arrived within five minutes to find a small fire in the kitchen of the property and the eight occupants outside the building. They used a small hose to douse the flames which took just 15 minutes, then dampened the roof to make sure
CARAVAN THREAT: The trailer and timber framed building contained several tanks filled with highly flammable propane
that the blaze did not return. Mr Arthur said the fire was caused by “cooking in the kitchen that got out of hand and ended up burning the wooden wall adjacent and in turn threatened the building”. He added that damage to the property was limited to smoke and water damage, and there were no reported injuries.
KITCHEN DAMAGE: The fire was caused by “cooking in the kitchen that got out of hand”