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VOLUME:116 No.36, FEBRUARY 14TH, 2019
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OFFICIA
CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS
INSIDE
L SOUR CE
Reckley denies $1.2m fraud
FORMER Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley pictured outside court yesterday where, along with five others, she was charged with defrauding the government. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FORMER Urban Renewal Deputy Director Michelle Reckley was charged yesterday with defrauding the government of $1,255,637.83 via the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repair programme in Grand Bahama. Reckley, 58, was arraigned alongside five others – James Hall, 49; Kylon Vincent, 26; Christopher Symonette, 59; Stefanie Collie, 27; and Joseph
Lightbourne, 40 – all appearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt where they entered not guilty pleas to 59 total charges. Reckley faces 21 charges. She stands accused of laundering $317,822.18; attempting to launder $172,646.18; extorting another $71,062.18 and engaging in corrupt deals valued at $230,000. It is alleged that Reckley and Hall between Monday, SEE PAGE THREE
EU’S ‘HIGH RISK’ LIST: GAMING SETTLEMENT WE MUST SOLDIER ON COSTS GOVT $25M By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Attorney General yesterday said The Bahamas must “ride out the storm and soldier on” after the European Union branded it a “high risk” jurisdiction for financial crime. Carl Bethel, QC,
told Tribune Business that he had sought to persuade the 28-nation bloc as late as last week that The Bahamas’ “outstanding progress” in addressing previously-identified regulatory deficiencies meant it should not be labelled as such.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE government has agreed to forego $25m in annual revenues to settle the taxation dispute with the web shop industry, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday. Dionisio D’Aguilar, who has
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
responsibility for gaming, said that the government was now projected to earn $50m per annum - rather than the initially forecast $75m - from a combination of the revised “sliding scale” tax on operators and the levy on patron winnings. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PAGE 2, Thursday, February 14, 2019
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MORE than 10 years ago, the government committed to protecting and effectively managing 20 percent of our marine environment by 2020 to ensure a healthy marine environment and sustain livelihoods in fisheries and tourism. With this deadline less than one year away, 10 percent of the country’s nearshore environment has been set aside in protected areas, placing the Bahamas at the halfway mark, according to a press release from environment protection groups. “We have a great opportunity right now to safeguard our environment for future generations,” said Shenique Albury-Smith, Bahamas programme director for The Nature Conservancy. During the September 2018 submission of the Bahamas Protected Marine Protection Plan, Minister of Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira restated the government’s commitment to the 20 percent protection goal. Bahamas Protected is now encouraging the government to declare and legally establish the full list of proposed areas as MPAs as 2020 draws near. Until this time, partners will continue to work alongside key government agencies to provide information and technical support. Once the new MPAs are declared, work can begin again with communities to determine the
best way to effectively manage these areas for the benefit of people and nature. In 2016, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), and BREEF joined forces with relevant government agencies and numerous other stakeholders under the Bahamas Protected project. “By identifying and actively protecting key features such as fish spawning sites, and areas where adult conch are reproducing, this will not only ensure rich biodiversity in these waters, but increase their spillover into fished areas will help protect the livelihood of fishermen for many generations,” said Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director for BREEF. The culmination of work by the partnering organisations was the submission of the Marine Protection Plan (MPP) to the government, identifying a suite of areas around the country that would create the most effective network of protection and enable the country to meet its 2020 goal. An online support petition was also submitted and to date has generated more than 11,000 signatures in support of marine protection, with more than 10,000 of those signatures coming from Bahamians. Follow the Bahamas Protected Facebook page for more information (@242protected).
THE TRIBUNE from page one December 5, 2016 and Monday April 24, 2017 conspired to defraud the government. It is further alleged that the pair, between Friday December 9, 2016 and Tuesday April 25, 2017 defrauded the government of $1,255,637.83 via nine cheques. The cheques were payments made out to Hall’s Distinctive Builders enterprise for contracts given under the government’s Small Homes Repair programme in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew by means of false pretences, it is alleged. Reckley is further accused of converting the sums of $30,000 on or about Wednesday, November 30, 2016; $11,062.18 on or about Friday, December 30, 2016; and $200,000 on or about Monday March 20, 2017, to conceal that they were the proceeds of her criminal conduct. Additionally, she is accused of transferring $47,760 between Monday, March 20, 2017 and Friday, June 16, 2017 to Collie; $26,000 between Friday, March 17, 2017 and Saturday, May 13, 2017 to Vincent; and another $3,000 on or about Friday, April 7, 2017 to James Wildgoose, via her personal CIBC bank account. She is also accused of attempting to transfer two cheques totalling $172,646.18 from her personal CIBC bank account to her Teachers and Salaried Workers Credit Union account on or about Friday, July 13, 2017. Reckley is also facing three extortion charges related to her receipt of $11,062.18 on or about Friday, December 30, 2016 from Symonette; $30,000 on or about Wednesday, November 30, 2016 and another $30,000 on or about March 20, 2017 from Hall. As it relates to her two charges of corrupt transactions with agents, Reckley stands accused of accepting $200,000 on or about Monday, March 20, and $30,000 on or about Friday November 30, 2016 as reward for assisting Hall in obtaining a home repair contract and a contract for the repair the Bartlette Hill Primary School respectively. Hall, for his part, also faced six money laundering charges stemming from transfers he made to the business account of Christopher Symonette between December 16, 2016 and May 2, 2017. The transfers ranged in amounts from $72,995 and $439,500. Hall was further charged with two counts of corrupt transactions with agents for his alleged payments to Reckley. He faces 17 charges in total. Vincent was charged with two counts of assisting to conceal money laundering, one count of money laundering and two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud. Symonette was charged with two counts of assisting to conceal money laundering, two counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud. Collie was charged with two counts each of assisting
Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 3
Reckley denies fraud charges to conceal money laundering, three counts of money laundering and one count of conspiracy. Lightbourn, for his part, was charged with five counts of abetment to fraud. Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell is among the witnesses listed on court dockets. Shortly after their arraignments at the Nassau Street Magistrate’s Court complex, the accused were transferred to the Supreme Court where they were granted bail in the amount of $9,000 each. Collie, Vincent, Lightbourn, and Hall are required to report to police three times a week, while Reckley and Symonette are mandated to report once per month as a part of their bail conditions. Reporters and a large contingent of PLP supporters were barred from the bail proceedings, however former Prime Minister Perry Christie and his wife Bernadette were among those allowed in by Justice Grant-Thompson. Attorneys Owen Wells and Jomo Campbell appeared for Symonette. Attorneys Wayne Munroe, QC, Damian Gomez, QC, and Anthony McKinney appeared for Collie, Reckley and Vincent. Attorneys Simeon Brown and Simon Brown appeared for Joseph Lightbourn. It is unclear who represents Hall. Eucal Bonaby and Kendra Kelly appeared as chief counsel and senior counsel for the prosecution respectively. The matter is adjourned to March 18 for a status hearing.
SUPPORTERS of Michelle Reckley outside court yesterday; above: Michelle Reckley arrives for the hearing; top right: Attorney Damian Gomez. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff
PAGE 4, Thursday, February 14, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Silence from the PLP benches is not going to help anyone OFF they go again. After quibbling over the agenda of the House when Opposition leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis tried to speak up, the Opposition decided it was time to walk out again. Off they went: one, two, three, four. A boycott was duly announced “for a period”, length unknown, while PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis scowls and talks about “tyrannical attitudes”. The source of his outrage is the prosecution of Frank Smith – since acquitted – and Davis’ claim that the government seems determined to use the courts to pursue their political opponents. He wants action after the judge’s complaints in the case - but there is a lack of action while the Crown appeals. There are indeed doubtless many lessons to be learned from the Smith case – but the quartet queuing once more to march out of the House does little to help either that matter or the public at large. After all, if indeed the government is as hellbent on tyranny as Mr Davis would have us believe, the public has now been denied a voice demanding explanation or identifying the problems inherent in whatever legislation the FNM now chooses to bring to the House in the PLP’s absence. Of course, with only four votes, the chances of blocking such legislation would be minimal anyway – but if there are tyrants, we have now been denied a voice to identify their tyranny. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the absence of Mr Davis in calling the government to account in any meaningful way. After all, he is also chairman of the Public Accounts Committee – from which FNM MP Reece Chipman resigned last month in frustration over the lack of action by the committee. The committee’s job is to examine government finances, but two years
into the FNM administration, it’s done very little. In the Westminster system, it is intended to hold a crucial duty of holding the government to account over its spending. With nothing done – and nothing looking like it was going to get done – Mr Chipman resigned. When the matters were raised by Mr Chipman in the House, the Speaker said he couldn’t rule on the matter because PAC chairman Mr Davis hasn’t officially raised the matter in the House. Mr Davis, for his part, when asked about the concerns about his committee said “this is just the culture” and seemed to shrug off the matter of a lack of reports from standing committees, saying there hadn’t been any reports from committees for years. Remind us again, Mr Davis, who was Deputy Prime Minister for some of those years. If he was genuinely concerned about holding the government to account, he would be crying foul loudly in the streets over any failure to let the PAC operate – and he wouldn’t be leading his members in yet another walkout from the House. While the government proceeds with its order of business with no Opposition present, who will speak for the people they represent? After all, while the PLP may be small in number in the House, that is the result of a protest vote against a government seen to be detached and swirling in claims of corruption. There is still a large swathe of the population who voted PLP previously and want a reason to do so again. Who will criticise, advise, and perhaps amend the laws that govern us all? The so-called tyrants Davis is so concerned about? We hope in the Opposition’s absence that some of the FNM backbenchers help to ensure due diligence is carried out in the House – because goodness knows, the silence from the PLP benches helps no one.
Keep it simple EDITOR, The Tribune Nothing has changed over the past 30 years. There is a constant and continual flow of economic migrants from Haiti, which remains still in an economic mess, even after massive aid after the earthquake, now years ago. As the nearest land mass to Haiti, to where the migrants track to, it has to be said that we that is successive governments, have never seriously focused on this issue and as a result, we, especially residents of New Providence, are faced with a massive undocumented group of people, mostly from Haiti. Worsening the reality,is that we now have a high number of mixed ethnic children youths and adults of mixed Bahamian-Haitian background, whose status is in neutral. May I ask in this recent incident, was the vessel a Haitian sloop, or a white hulled 36-38 feet sailing boat? I ask as the original report was that it was a Haitian sloop. Cleverly the traffickers have switched to
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net using ordinary sail boats… at least two incidents interestingly in Abaco, which begs the question – is the trafficker based in Abaco? Drones-radar, if it is ever installed will not stop the migrants. Haiti as the crow flies is 160 miles from Inagua…Inagua to the horizon on any reasonable day is 8-10 miles. Save those millions probably going to be spent on drones, and purchase long range night vision military binoculars, which will, of course presuming the RBDF will be alert and give Inagua base good notice of a sloop, or other craft coming from Haiti and that vessel must be interdicted. If now aerial observation cannot find these sloops, which have no engines, relying on God’s wind, then surely it is obvious drone - radar is redundant - will not improve interdiction. . The coastal radar
installation? When is this going to be installed and operational? You announced you started this about a year ago! My suspicion that there is a lot of big greedy, inhumane pockets pushing for leaving the status quo as is, as they are profiteering in this so dehumanized trafficking of Humans. The Ingraham Government had a deal, did nothing - Christie waffled, spent $240 million on boats and the flow continues. Even Haitian sloops sailing almost into RBDF bases or downtown Nassau, certainly right under the eyes of the RBDF Observation position at South Beach. Taking into account, as past writers have commented, the RBDF are not very good on maintenance. Stop the purchase of 55, yes FIFTY-FIVE drones and concentrate on the simple approach, acquiring long range night vision binoculars. TK SMITH Nassau February 9, 2019
Apply the three Cs to help build your business EDITOR, The Tribune I READ an article in your paper recently written by a Bahamian male who was celebrating our successes over the past year regarding tourist arrivals to our shores. The article encouraged Bahamians to take service to the next level so that tourists would return. I applaud him for that and agree wholeheartedly. He obviously understands the concept of growing a business in a competitive market. Travellers can go to any island destination in our region and experience sun, sand and sea but it is our service coupled with our tourism product that will separate us from the competition to create an unforgettable experience and build customer loyalty. Guests will not only choose to return to our shores but will also recommend this destination to family and friends and this is essential to the growth and success of any business. I would like to push the envelope and take this one step further by encouraging my fellow Bahamians to let charity begin at home and end abroad. It would appear that Bahamians are still bound by the slave mentality. This is in no way an attempt to sound racist but we are all-in and humble when it’s time to serve the ‘white man’ but continue to struggle with serving our own. I often hear the noise in the market that Bahamians do
not support their own (local businesses), but maybe that’s because Bahamians don’t know how to serve their own. There has been lots of emphasis placed on small business development in The Bahamas recently and I applaud the government that has been encouraging entrepreneurship and has even been providing funding and concessions for small businesses. However, I can’t help but question is there protection for the consumer? Is there a need for greater accountability? Everywhere you turn some Joe is starting a business and in most cases it’s the same business idea as the Joe next door. So, yes, small businesses are increasing in our community at an alarming rate, but at whose expense? One would think that since businesses have to compete in such a saturated market they would do their best to attain and retain customers with exceptional customer service. Yet I am appalled at the nonchalant way in which we approach and respond to our customers. Customer service in The Bahamas has taken a nose dive. Service prices are at an all time high while service standards are at an all time low or are non-existent. It seems the new norm for businesses is that customers are responsible to do the serving; the ‘they need me I don’t need them’ mentality. What is most
unfortunate though is that this is not isolated to any particular business type or sector, it is widespread. I am constantly disappointed as a customer particularly over the last few months. I have even broken relationships with businesses where I have been a loyal customer for many years and sadly those businesses did nothing to retain the business. I recently encountered what I would refer to as my ‘Service experience nightmare’ as a first-time customer with a printing company. They appear to fall in that category where service standards are non-existent. They showed no care to me as a customer, did not communicate effectively and simply refused to compromise. I had the opportunity to visit the office and walked away extremely displeased, to no concern of any of the attendants or the managers who, by the way, refused to come out to address me directly, even after weeks of back and forth. While there I witnessed firsthand the lack of care for the customer in the way another customer was being handled. To add insult to injury I also learned during that visit that the business owner operates right out of that office. The sad reality is this was not an isolated incident this is the culture of the business. I would like to remind business owners that you do need
the customer not only to survive but to thrive particularly in such a small community. Make building good customer relations a priority for your business in 2019. Here are a few suggestions: • Connect yourself with a successful business mentor who has high customer service standards. This may help to develop both you and your business. • Take customer service classes and incorporate regular customer service training in your calendar for you and your team. • Recruit persons for your team who are passionate about exceptional customer service delivery. • Continue to enhance your service delivery by soliciting regular feedback from customers. Be open to constructive criticism. Remember the key to building any lasting successful relationship is loyalty. Apply these three principles that I refer to as the three C’s to help you build loyalty in your relationships. Care - Show your customers that you care. Customers should know that they are valued. Show the customer that you are prepared to commit to the relationship by being responsive and follow through on all concerns to ensure an amicable resolution. Jesus said it best in the gospel of Saint Matthew 7:12 when he said “Therefore all things whatsoever
ye would that men should do to you: do ye even so to them.” In other words give the kind of service that you want to receive as a customer. Communication - Do your best to communicate clearly and concisely with the customer. Ensure you understand the customer’s request and are in a position to meet those expectations. Clearly describe the products and services that you provide so that the customer can determine if you are able to meet their needs and make an informed decision at that point. Clearly communicate costs and timelines and if there are changes in either, this should be communicated forthwith. There should be clear expectations on both sides. Too many relationships fail due to lack of communication. Compromise - You have to be able to use discretion when serving. Be flexible enough to make adjustments where necessary. You should be able to give and take and sometimes that will mean giving up your right to please the customer. Be prepared to take an insignificant loss in order to experience long-term significant gain. You may have to allow a little cushion in your budget to accommodate that. A K WALLACE Nassau January, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 5
Target the boat owners We need to go after the beneficial owners of vessels used in criminal enterprises, says Pintard By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government is developing a new plan to combat poaching –– going after the beneficial owners of vessels used in the criminal enterprise. Michael Pintard, minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, made the announcement in the House of Assembly yesterday. He later told The Tribune: “We want to track who these beneficial owners are. The reason I was not talking about it before now is that I did not want people to start camouflaging what they were doing.” Mr Pintard said representatives from his ministry, as well as the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Security met to discuss the matter and talks are ongoing with the American and Dominican Republic governments. “If you are able to catch the beneficial owners,” he said, “they’re leading a criminal organisation so they could be prosecuted under US laws, they could be prosecuted under Dominican law or under Bahamian law so we will pursue them with a view to prosecuting them.” Mr Pintard also announced that the government will no longer sell vessels seized from poachers, but will instead sink them. He said this would eliminate the possibility of the boats being used for poaching again.
MICHAEL PINTARD “Only if at some point in the future we decide that (the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute) could use one, we could give the Defence Force the coordinates so there is no confusion, but the reality is we are going to make sure they are completely cleaned up so that there is no environmental damage, then we’re going to sink those vessels.” He said there are three such vessels that the government will sink. In 2017 Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance President Adrian LaRoda estimated the country loses $100m annually in fishery products to poaching. “We still lose about $20m worth of spiny lobster each year to poaching. When we look at the other marine products, all told it’s about $100m. People seem to forget the amount of grouper and deep-water scale fish that we lose to poaching every year,” Mr LaRoda said.
SOME Dominican poachers detained by the RBDF late last year.
MURDER VICTIMS NAMED
POLICE have officially identified three of the country’s recent homicides victims. Exavier Presentus, 54, of Kemp Road was killed on Saturday, February 9 while attending a party in a Haitian village on Cowpen Road. Ferninand Agenor, 54, of Mt Royal Avenue was shot and killed on Sunday, February 10 while outside a business on Robinson Road and Miami Street. Jamaal Kemp, 24, was also shot and killed on Sunday while at Potter’s Cay Dock. Police are appealing to anyone with information regarding these incidents to anonymously call police at 919/911, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477), the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2 or the nearest Police Station. All information will be held in the strictest of confidence, police said.
WOMAN ROBBED WHILE WALKING A WOMAN was robbed while walking in the Kemp Road area on Tuesday, police said. The victim was walking on Edward Avenue off Kemp Road shortly after 6am when she was approached by an armed man, who robbed her of her handbag containing cash and other items before running away. An investigation is ongoing.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
POLICE officially named Jamaal Kemp, killed on Sunday.
PAGE 6, Thursday, February 14, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
PLP boycotts House By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis announced yesterday the opposition will boycott the House of Assembly in protest of “tyrannical attitudes” in government determined to use prosecutorial powers of the Crown to target PLPs. Mr Davis said the party will not rest until these practices are forever vanquished from society, adding actions at play were not politics, but its criminalisation. Mr Davis also hit out at the manner in which the case against former Public Hospitals Authority Chairman Frank Smith, who has since been acquitted, was handled. He did not say how long this boycott was expected to last. “I announce with no pleasure that the PLP parliamentary caucus will boycott the House of Assembly for a period in protest to mark the seriousness of where we find ourselves as a nation. We will not rest until the tyrannical attitudes and practices are forever vanquished from this society,” Mr Davis said. His press conference at PLP headquarters came shortly after all members of the opposition exited yesterday’s morning session of the House. This followed a heated row that erupted when the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP attempted to raise the matter in Parliament. “We have always had a very serious give and take in our politics,” Mr Davis said at PLP headquarters. “All Bahamians know politics is not for the faint of heart. What we are seeing today isn’t politics, it’s the criminalisation of politics and the erosion of our democracy.
THE PLP members prepare to leave the House. Below, Philip Davis leads the way. Photos: Yontalay Bowe/BIS
We will not rest until the tyrannical attitudes and practices are forever vanquished from this society - PLP leader Philip Davis “The current government appears determined to use the prosecutorial powers of the Crown to go after members of the opposing political party at whatever cost. That’s not democracy, that’s not justice, that’s not the Bahamas – or at least it never has been until now.” He also said: “The case of Frank Smith has shocked the country. . . Who could
dare to defend such a thing?” He said instead of the government announcing an independent investigation or the firing of the two Cabinet ministers cited by a judge for their “egregious” conduct related to the Frank Smith matter, the Crown is appealing the case. As the House began yesterday, Mr Davis stood and
questioned what order of businesses would be followed. He said he expected the order pertaining to the second Wednesday in the month would be followed. Speaker Halson Moultrie called this a “preemptive strike”, adding a communication by the Speaker was next on the agenda, but it was interrupted by Mr Davis’ question regarding the agenda. Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, who is leader of government business, then moved a motion that the House resume its normal order of business outside of the second Wednesday. Mr Davis then attempted to raise concerns, but he
was not allowed as Mr Moultrie said he appeared to be attributing improper motives to the side opposite. Mr Davis said he was drawing attention to their “abuse of power”. The Speaker said this was in contravention of the rules. After some back and forth with several members, Mr Moultrie repeated he would not allow the allegations to be made and ordered Mr Davis’ controversial statements to be struck from the record. “Honourable member if you wish to proceed along that line then what I would request is that you produce the evidence to the chair that would substantiate the
allegation. I am not going to permit you to stand on your feet and make an allegation that later on we might find was an unsubstantiated allegation but it is already gone into the public airwaves I am not going to allow that to happen,” Speaker Moultrie said. However, Mr Davis said he could state who was being targeted and stated what is happening to them. “I could say how ministers of this government who should be resigning now – Elizabeth (MP Dr Duane Sands) and Mt Moriah (MP Marvin Dames),” Mr Davis said. This triggered shouting from seated members on both sides. Mr Dames also attempted to stand, to make a statement, but Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis could be seen motioning to him to resume his seat. Mr Moultrie then put all members on notice that should disruptive behaviour and disrespect of the chair persist, certain action would be taken. “I am not going to permit it and that applies to all members,” he said. He then ordered the House to suspend for five minutes. When the House reconvened, members continued to bicker even as Mr Moultrie made his way to the chair. He said the chair took the discretion to permit Mr Davis to address Parliament in good faith with the understanding that he would not raise a contentious matter, but this was not the case. He said the House would proceed with its business and no member would be allowed to raise any matter outside of the agenda especially anything that was controversial. He said the rules permit that advance notice should be given in these cases. Mr Davis then attempted to speak, but he was not allowed. Each of the four opposition members of Parliament then exited the House as majority members heckled and shouted. Editorial Comment and Jamaal’s View - Page 4
THE TRIBUNE By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net GOLDEN Isles MP Vaughn Miller urged government to treat certain members of Parliament the same way that he and two others were treated according to the Westminster system when they were fired for voting against the value added tax increase last year. While he did not say to whom he referred when he spoke in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Miller later told The Tribune he was “on the face of it” speaking about Mt Moriah MP Marvin Dames and Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands. The Progressive Liberal Party has repeatedly called for both these Cabinet ministers to be fired after a judge cited their “egregious” conduct in connection with former PLP Senator Frank Smith’s bribery and extortion trial. Mr Smith was recently acquitted of the charges against him. “Mr Speaker, on June 19 of last year some three of us honourable members of this House were fired,” Mr Miller said in Parliament. “I accepted whatever the consequences were for my act. There is much talk throughout the country I am sure that you would be aware with regards to Westminster and who Westminster applies to and who it does not apply to. “When I was fired and the press questioned me about other members that they thought were overlooked and they thought should have been fired also, I simply said to the press that I’m forgetting those things that are behind and I press forward. “I simply ask that the same manner in which we were treated under Westminster, that other persons – if in fact it happened – will be treated in like manner and again I’m asking your permission, Mr Speaker, to speak to the formation of a select committee on Westminster so that it could be addressed in detail.”
Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 7
Treat us all the same way, urges MP Miller VAUGHN MILLER, main picture, later told The Tribune he was “on the face of it” speaking about Marvin Dames, right, and Dr Duane Sands, left,
House Speaker Halson Moultrie, however, did not allow Mr Miller to continue as he said the right protocol was not followed. He said: “Honourable member you are making a number of requests and actually giving notice, but you are proceeding as if the notice has been given, in other words what is required now is for you to table your notices and then when you have the opportunity to present on your select committees, then you can bring the arguments that you are now bringing. Or if you
wish to make a presentation to Parliament, the normal procedure is that you would visit the Speaker one hour prior to the session or in some instances one day notice is given and whatever you intend to present the Speaker would review it with you to determine whether or not it is contentious. If the Speaker is satisfied the discretion would be in your favour to allow the presentation.” Speaker Moultrie continued: “Of course with the appointment of select committees you have that right, so you can just give
notice and your select committee would be placed on the agenda and whenever we arrive at that point in the order of business you are free to arise on that occasion. “So what I would require of you is to present the notice and the statement that you wish to give to the Parliament that you present it at least a day prior to and we can have an opportunity as in the case of the members for Centreville, Bain Town (and) Carmichael it applies to all members. “That is why I stopped the proceeding this
morning with respect to the member of Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador (Philip “Brave” Davis) because it’s an abuse of the process to rise to your feet under the good will of the chair and make a statement that the chair is not even aware of the contents and that was the reason for the chair’s intervention this morning. So, likewise with you, you can bring the notices for the select committees and then you can bring me your statement and you would be permitted to present it at the next statement.”
Mr Miller, former parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Social Services, and Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, former chairman of the Hotel Corporation, were fired from their appointments last June. At the time, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson was also fired as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. They were axed after voting against the government’s decision to increase VAT from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.
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T IS Valentine’s Day and I should be writing a soppy love story instead of something that sounds like fear-mongering against a backdrop of Darth Vader. But recent events converged to force this from the bowels of my keyboard, a warning that even when you think you’re safe, think again. The greatest risk to your security is something you cannot see. It is the insidious behind-the-scenes hacking, the phishing for information, the ploy to lure you to a website where your banking info will be targeted or your ID stolen, the kidnapping of the life you share with your server at work and your PC or Mac at home. Several incidents collided to propel the subject of cyber security to today’s topic on what is supposed to be a hallmark holiday of love. In chronological
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Cyber crime - it’s just a keystroke away order, they happened this way. Last week The Bahamas played host - in my opinion -to a most an amazing man, Juval Aviv. Israeliborn, New York transplant, Aviv is a world-renowned (some would say #1) security and counter-terrorism expert. He’s now 71 but as
a 24-year-old he became Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir’s top bodyguard and later, as an officer in the Israel Defence Force, he led an elite commando/ intelligence unit. He was on assignment, not allowed to communicate with his family for more than four years as part of a handful
of the Mossad (Israeli Secret Service) to track down the terrorists who slaughtered Israeli athletes in the 1972 Munich Olympics. The Steven Spielberg movie Munich was based on Aviv’s exploits and the book he wrote about that dark time in history. For the last 40 years, he has turned his sense of right and wrong to white collar crime. He operates in 38 countries with a company of nearly 400 and remembers the days when, as an asset recovery specialist, he traced a missing $5 million and felt like it was a success. Over the decades, the sums grew, first to tens of millions, later to hundreds of millions and today he and his team often find themselves on the trail of missing billions. The worst offenders are governments, he says. A CNN consultant, Aviv says nothing is a greater threat to world security than cybercrime. A hacker with barely enough peach fuzz to shave can wriggle and worm his way into your computer faster than you can imagine. Under political directive, hackers in one country can influence an election in another. A relatively simple transaction can bring down an entire electrical grid. Aviv, with whom I had the pleasure of spending time on two occasions during his visit, was the first warning that awoke me from comfortable slumber about what gremlins may be busily at work inside my computer. The last meeting with Aviv, pictured right, was a private presentation to which my husband and I were invited at a residence on Sunday evening. Off Aviv went the next day to the next country where he would do his best to warn others asleep at the wheel while he tries to track down and recover funds stolen through political corruption or between traitorous partners. The following morning a man walked into the office and asked us to schedule an event for him – he wanted to provide a forum for experts to share information on cyber security. A leading businessman, he had been unaware of Aviv’s visit despite the standing room only crowds wherever he spoke in public but, he, too, had reason to be alerted about the threat.
A day later, we got word that a major company in The Bahamas had to halt all work because its data was being held ransom. A few weeks earlier, we will all remember, the same fate befell ZNS. Hours after we got word of the company’s woes, a young man walked through the door asking us to build a website for his tech company. Its specialty – detecting cyber crime. “A few years ago, businesses were all trying to figure out how to get themselves more social, learning how to use the tools available via computer to get themselves out on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest,” said the man we will call Bill. “Today, cyber security should be the number one concern for businesses everywhere.” Hacking tools are so easily accessible, GEICO would say, even a cave man could do it. They carry names like you’d expect to see on the shelves at ToysRUs. ZEUS was so good it could mimic any website and ended up wreaking havoc on social media. A downloadable tool called Wannabe is allegedly what hit ZNS.
The latest one is called RYUK. As a lot, they’re called script kiddies. The man we call Bill explains: “They’re developed by people who have access to tools. They don’t know anything about programming. They don’t know anything about hacking. They just have access to tools and the damage they can wreak with those is frightening.” They also make it very easy for us to walk right into their plot. We all know the basics – if you get an e-mail telling you it’s time to change your password and you are not working within that site, don’t do it. No company, not even Facebook or Outlook or any other site, will ask you to change your password by way of e-mail. If you get an e-mail from a company saying click here, don’t, unless you are in that company’s site, but never in an e-mail. For those of us who remember when expressions like safe sex were introduced to offer protective advice, there is a new dictum, watch where your fingers roam. Most hacking happens at the user level, says Bill. You are safer inside an authentic website than “shopping” via an email. It’s a tough world out there even if out there is just the other side of your fingertips.
Show the love – or not? AND the award for worst service in The Bahamas goes to – the store to which I attempted to return an automobile part which they incorrectly advised me to buy to exchange for one
that cost a few dollars less that was the right part. More than 30 minutes and seven conversations later, after explaining that I was not interested in a refund of $2 plus pennies, I just wanted a 16-inch windshield wiper blade that fit instead of the 18 inch blade I was holding because you told me to buy the 18 incher and now you are telling me no exchanges without a receipt even though you can see it is your tag and bar code and you concede it came from here but also insist there shall be no exchanges without receipt because that was the law, according to the wording on the wall, which I explained was not the law but represented policy and further, the meaning of policy as opposed to law meant that someone in a decision-making position could make a decision. (Sorry Editor, when I get going I can’t stop). I realised that commonsense was not so common after all. One salesperson noted that “even if we tell you to buy the wrong part, you have to bring your receipt to get the right part and we don’t give refunds.” What if you don’t have the right part and that’s why
you sold the wrong part to begin with, I wondered, but kept that question to myself, walking out with the bag clearly marked with the store’s logo. I was still trying to figure out what an award for worst service would look like. Maybe it would look a lot like the faces of the seven people who made it their very personal business to provide the worst service in Nassau or maybe like the management that had them believing that some words on a wall were law. Or a rusty nail or a metal pickle or conch slop a week after it was harvested… To the rest of you, happy Valentine’s Day. Give a friend a hug, a loved one a kiss and a child or stranger in need a word of encouragement.
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By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE fatal shooting of an 18-year-old boy by a police sergeant nearly six years ago was a lawful killing, a Coroner’s Court jury ruled yesterday. More than an hour after being excused by Deputy Coroner Carolyn VogtEvans to deliberate, the five-person jury was unanimous in the agreement that Sergeant Antoine Hamilton lawfully or justifiably killed Antonio Duncanson in 2013. Duncanson’s grandmother, Theresa Duncanson, reacted to the verdict with dignified tears. Sgt Hamilton spoke to The Tribune immediately following the verdict, noting he feels relieved, yet grieved. “At the end of the day, I’m just happy to see that they were fair, they were just, they thoroughly examined the evidence that was presented,” he said. “At the same time I am relieved, I still grieve. Because the old lady (Ms Duncanson), she really loves her grandson, in spite of the things that he did.” Khandi Gibson, founder of Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), was also present at yesterday’s inquiry, telling The Tribune she has been supporting the Duncanson family since the shooting incident occurred. “I just ask that persons continue to uplift families of police shootings at this time,” Ms Gibson said. “And also we (have) to pray for the officers too…because when they leave their families, they want to come back safe too.” Deputy Coroner VogtEvans also addressed both Duncanson’s loved ones and Sgt Hamilton after the jury announced its verdict. “I hope that these proceedings have not dampened your spirit as a police officer,” she told the latter, adding this is all part of the system of “checks and balances” and thus does not represent anyone “picking” on the police. “You have a right to have questions answered,” she told the family. “I hope that you feel satisfied that you live in a just country…(where) you can get answers.”
YOUR
Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 9
Fatal shooting of young man, 18, by police sergeant in 2013 was lawful killing, jury rules observed the man dressed in orange brandishing a chrome handgun, which he subsequently placed in his waistband. Upon seeing this, former P/C Carey said he contacted police control room for backup. The crew of “Alpha Echo 3,” led by Sgt Hamilton and Reserve Supt Pennerman arrived in the area a short while later, after which former P/C Carey said he guided them towards where the two suspects were. When Reserve Supt Pennerman took the witness stand, he said both he and Sgt Hamilton were led to the intersection of Seymour Street and Lightbourne Avenue, where the crew of Charlie Delta 10 pointed out two men walking north along Seymour Street. As he and Sgt Hamilton approached the two men in their police vehicle, Reserve Supt Pennerman said both fled in separate directions; the man in the orange shirt ran past the car and north along Seymour Street and onto Old Cedar Street while the other one, whom former P/C Carey said was Jaquan
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HOW The Tribune reported the story in October 2013
Duncanson was shot on October 15, 2013. According to the evidence led before Deputy Coroner Vogt-Evans during previous proceedings, Sgt Hamilton was one of two officers, the other being Reserve Superintendent Christopher Pennerman, who was asked to assist in the apprehension of an “individual of interest” who
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was suspected of being in possession of a firearm. Around 1.50pm on the date in question, the three officers of “Charlie Delta 10,” one of whom was former Police Constable Carey, received certain information about two males suspected of being in possession of a firearm. One of them wore an orange shirt and darkcoloured pants and orange
Rolle, ran south. Reserve Supt Pennerman said Sgt Hamilton, who was driving, got out of the car and immediately gave chase. Reserve Supt Pennerman said he then hopped in the driver’s seat and moved the car to a secure location before also giving chase. Upon reaching Old Cedar Street, Reserve Supt Pennerman said the man in the orange shirt turned left onto a dirt road and pulled a handgun from his waist. In fear of their lives, Res Supt Pennerman said Sgt Hamilton drew his service weapon and fired three shots at the suspect, who subsequently fell back on the ground. Forensic pathologist Dr Caryn Sands confirmed in another proceeding that the purported sequence of events corresponded with the two gunshot wounds the victim received. During previous proceedings, Sgt Hamilton openly apologised to Duncanson’s grandmother for having to kill her grandson. However, he maintained, “It was either my life or his.”
and blue Nike sneakers. The other wore a green Heineken shirt, black pants and sneakers. As a result of the information they received, the former officer said his unit went to Yellow Elder Gardens and conducted a mobile surveillance of the area in an unmarked police vehicle. While doing so, former P/C Carey said he
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PAGE 10, Thursday, February 14, 2019
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New Central Bank moves a step closer as Minnis makes case for a new parliament By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net AS HE moved a resolution yesterday for government land to be sold for $10 to the Central Bank for a new facility, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis made a case for a new Parliament building in the future. The land, 3.056 acres in size and the site of the historic Royal Victoria Hotel and Gardens, runs from the southern side of Shirley Street, the northern side of East Hill Street, the eastern
side of Parliament Street and includes the western side of East Street. The new facility will also include: a museum, an art gallery and a movie theatre. The old General Post Office will be imploded and this cost will be the responsibility of Central Bank. The site is then to be used to build a new Supreme Court complex with green technology and all the “bells and whistles” necessary for cutting edge technology, Dr Minnis said. Dr Minnis said this is to take precedence over a new Parliament, further
THE WINNING design for the new Central Bank building, put forward by Architekton Design Studio Bahamas. revealing the old Senate and Parliament will eventually be converted into museums. The projects, he said, are a part of the revitalisation of downtown Nassau. The government is also planning to assist young people with investing money, Dr Minnis said, telling Parliament he hoped to give Bahamians the chance to become self-made millionaires. He said he was proud to have been poor as a child and even prouder to now be a millionaire. Dr Minnis said: “There are many who complain about having their monies in the bank and receiving .5 percent (interest). Government rents (are) in excess about $40m to $50m in facilities today. “Would it not be an excellent idea to having individuals invest in such entity and government rent such facilities and such facilities are privately
maintained and no longer have to worry about the complaints and distress that we experience today and those individuals would receive returns? “Mr Speaker, that is the way forward and would assist us in constructing a new court complex that is so urgently needed on the old post office building (site) while we construct new complexes. It’s time that we revolutionise the government entities as we move forward and therefore the judiciary will be given its own budget so that the judiciary can make its own decisions and can be completely independent of the government. “In time we must consider a new parliamentary complex, however, a Supreme Court judiciary complex is of urgent need. The current Senate and House of Assembly buildings should become museums chronicling our
developments as a parliamentary democracy. The chambers of both houses should be preserved,” Dr Minnis said. “Mr Speaker, I think the public needs to know some of the conditions which their legislators sit while debating here in this Parliament. There is one particular area where individuals of this Parliament can eat and that can accommodate only six in terms of seating yet we have 39 members, which means that parliamentarians today as we speak stand up to eat their meals, hot or cold, no tray to hold it. If the room is filled, others will wait outside to allow some parliamentarians to complete after which they will commence. That’s the condition that we are subjected to today. “There are absolutely no research facilities. We have to do that ourselves. But most important I think the
public also needs to know, and nobody likes to talk about it, but our restroom facility has facility for one. So we must drink water very conservatively because it’s only one (restroom each for men and women), which means that if the bathroom facility is being utilised – 39 members must wait, plus the public. I must inform the Bahamian populace that the bathroom facilities that all of us must utilise is also utilised by the public. Even members of the press must use such facility. “Mr Speaker, so that must be corrected.” To house other agencies, Dr Minnis said that the government will construct a major new office complex on the site of the old City Market on Market Street. The resolution for the land transfer was agreed upon in yesterday’s sitting. The House of Assembly resumes today.
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Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 11
Residents fail to reverse eviction decision By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THREE former Millennium Gardens residents whose homes were repossessed last year by the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation were unsuccessful in petitioning the court for a reversal. The residents were represented by Munroe & Associates. Lawyers from Wayne Munroe’s firm argued the BMC was statute-barred from repossessing the homes because it had waited beyond six years to enforce an order for repossession. According to Shirl Deveaux, corporate lawyer for the BMC, the application was heard before Supreme Court
Justice Diane Stewart on February 6. The judge dismissed the case and awarded costs of $1,800 to the BMC. Ms Deveaux said: “The attorneys for the defendant failed to do their due diligence in searching whether necessary documents had been filed pursuant to the rules of the Supreme Court so their application was misconceived.” Ms Deveaux said the BMC goes well beyond other lending institutions in giving leeway to people who fall behind in their arrears. “The BMC works handin-hand with these people and it’s a very long time before the BMC would even seek to bring any sort of vacant possession proceedings against these persons,” she said. “Even
when we appear in court we try to give as many adjournments as possible. Many times, BMC holds their hands, guiding them through the process, allowing them to make as minimal a mortgage as possible even if you could look at the loan and see they would never be able to pay it off.” Nevertheless, Ms Deveaux said the BMC won’t pursue courtordered costs against the defendants. “We often don’t pressure or pursue costs when the court grants it to us because we understand most of the clients are of low to middle income and our aim is to assist them as much as possible,” she said. “If they are having difficulty paying the mortgage then even in a case like this
SHIRL DEVEAUX, corporate lawyer for the BMC. where costs are awarded we won’t pursue it. At the same time, lawyers for the defendants were seeking costs from us in $7,500 and I’m certain they would’ve pursued those costs had they won.” The two sides appeared to dispute what led to the summonses being dismissed. Ms Deveaux said lawyers for the residents withdrew the case after analysing the BMC’s submissions. However, Mr Munroe, who was not present for the hearing, suggested that while his side conceded the BMC filed its case before the
limitation period expired, the judge herself considered the legal consequence of that and sided with the BMC. “We are in fact considering an appeal,” he said. Ms Deveaux said: “The period allowed for the enforcement of judgments is six years from the date that the order became enforceable. In this case, the order was issued on the 31st August 2011 and became enforceable 90 days thereafter on the 20th November 2011. “Accordingly, the limitation period would have expired on the 29th November 2017. The
application for writ of possession in this case was filed in the Supreme Court Registry on the 22nd August 2017, well before the 29th November 2017. In any event, even if the clock is held to have started on the date that the order was made, the enforcement proceedings were commenced prior to 30th August 2017. Therefore, the enforcement proceedings would not have been statute barred.” About ten homes were repossessed in the Millennium Gardens area last year after residents in some cases failed for years to pay their bills.
PAGE 12, Thursday, February 14, 2019
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FREEPORT MAN ACCUSED OF 12 COUNTS OF HOUSEBREAKING By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A 28-YEAR-OLD Freeport man accused of a string of housebreaking and stealing incidents in the Freeport and Lucaya areas was arraigned in Grand Bahama yesterday. Sidney Shermal Hart Jr, of Cove House, Bahama Reef Boulevard, was charged with a total of 12 counts of housebreaking and stealing from homes in the Lucaya and South Bahamia areas. The stolen items are altogether valued at more than $10,000. Hart appeared in court one before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on six counts. It is alleged that on December 6, 2018, being concerned together with an unknown person, the accused broke into and entered By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
TWO young men who appeared in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court in connection with possession of a small quantity of dangerous drugs, namely Indian hemp, were given “hope and a clean slate” when a magistrate ordered them to attend a men’s mentoring programme instead of convicting them. Devon Thompson and Joshua Forbes, both 19, will attend the Bahamas Faith Ministries’ mentoring programme for the next six months, ordered Magistrate Rengin Johnson. “You are at my mercy,” she told the teens who pleaded guilty to possession of three grams of Indian hemp. According to the particulars, on February 11 at South Shipton Drive, police observed a vehicle with two male occupants acting suspiciously. They stopped and searched the vehicle for firearms with negative results. During
the home of Urick Butler with intent to steal. It is alleged that Hart stole an Android TV box; a black PlayStation, a blue PlayStation remote, one X-Box console; two black X-Box remotes, a black and blue PlayStation with four headphones; and two gold rings, altogether valued at $2,800. It is alleged that in December 2018 the accused concerned with another broke into the residence of Beverly Johnson on Inagua Avenue, and stole $495 worth of items, including a black and red air compressor, a router, and a nail gun. On count three, the accused is alleged to have broken into the residence of Debbie Stone on February 6, and stole a black Kindle, a saw, a grinder, power tree cutter, and $20 cash, altogether valued at $415, the property of Ms Stone. Hart is also charged with breaking into the residence of Kevin
Evans at Woods Rodgers Drive, and stealing a Samsung cellular phone and a Kindle, together valued at $280. It is further alleged that on February 7, the accused broke into the residence of Theophilus Farquharson and stole a green and black portable generator, a gold Movado watch, a Seiko watch, and a black Vizio 32” television, together valued $1,970. It is also alleged that on January 29, the accused entered the residence of Bruno Russell of Yorkshire Drive, South Bahamia, and stole a HP laptop, a bottle of Baileys, a bottle of peach schnapps, a bottle of Absolut vodka, and $8 in coins, together valued at $855. Hart was not represented by an attorney and elected for the matters to proceed by summary trial in the Magistrate’s Court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate Ferguson told the accused that he was denied bail but that he could apply for bail in the Supreme Court. The matters were adjourned to April 17 at 10am. The accused was also arraigned in court three before Magistrate Rengin Johnson on another six counts of housebreaking and stealing offences. It is alleged that on November 28, 2018, Hart being concerned with an unknown person, broke into the home of Stephanie Ferguson, and stole an assortment of jewellery, including a necklace together valued at $7,870. The accused is also alleged to have entered the residence of Candice Ferguson of Braeman Circle on February 2, and stole a television valued at $250. Hart is also accused of breaking into a residence on Seahorse Cay
on December 12, 2018 and stealing a number of items valued at $975. It is also alleged that on January 25, the accused entered the residence of Howard Russell at Cove House, and stole an assortment of items valued at $795. It is alleged that on December 30, 2018, Hart entered another residence and stole a flat 40” television, a Dell desktop, a lapto, and two bottles of wine, altogether valued at $1,225. Hart is also alleged to have entered a residence in Freeport on January 29, and stole one Samsung tablet and a gold bracelet, together valued at $2,400. Magistrate Johnson told the accused that bail was referred to the Supreme Court, and adjourned the matters to May 13 and 14.
I’m going to give you hope and a clean slate if you obey my conditions, magistrate tells teens a further search, officers discovered a clear plastic bag on the driver’s seat with a small quantity of suspected marijuana, some three grams valued at $15. The magistrate asked the teens if they wished
to say something in reference to the charge. One teen apologised for wasting the court’s time on such a simple matter. Magistrate Johnson said he was not wasting the court’s time and asked if they were going to smoke
the marijuana, and they both said yes. She lectured the teens about the dangers of smoking drugs. She said that the marijuana plant grown by farmers is beneficial and used for medicinal purposes, but
that the marijuana sold on the streets is not safe. “It is mixed with other stuff that harms you; like some of the women and men walking around here who look like they are on Mars. It is sad to see brilliant people becoming
vagrants - a waste of life,” she said. Magistrate Johnson told the teens that they are at the mercy of the court and that she could send them to prison. “How many days did you spend in the cell?” she asked. Forbes and Thompson said they spent three days behind bars and did not like it. She advised the teens that if they are convicted, the conviction would be on their record for life. “I am going to give you hope and a clean slate if you obey my conditions,” said Magistrate Johnson. “I am not going convict you, I am going to order you to attend BFM’s (Bahamas Faith Ministries) mentorship programme by Pastor Larry Russell,” she said. The teens are to report to the programme every Friday for the next six months. She said they must be clean and dress appropriately. She will review the matter in six months to see if they are in compliance with the condition.
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Thursday, February 14, 2019, PAGE 13
PAGE 14, Thursday, February 14, 2019
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EX-US INTELLIGENCE OFFICER CHARGED WITH SPYING FOR IRAN WASHINGTON Associated Press
A FORMER US Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran despite warnings from the FBI has been charged with revealing classified information to the Tehran government, including the code name and secret mission of a Pentagon program, prosecutors said yesterday. The Justice Department also accused Monica Elfriede Witt, 39, of betraying former colleagues
in the U.S. intelligence community by feeding details about their personal and professional lives to Iran. Four hackers linked to the Iranian government, charged in the same indictment, used that information to target the intelligence workers online, prosecutors said. Witt, pictured right, had been on the FBI’s radar at least a year before she defected after she attended an Iranian conference and appeared in anti-American videos. She was warned about her
activities, but reassured agents that she would not provide sensitive information about her work if she returned to Iran. She was not arrested. “Once a holder of a top secret security clearance, Monica Witt actively sought opportunities to undermine the United States and support the government of Iran — a country which poses a serious threat to our national
security,” said FBI executive assistant director Jay Tabb, the bureau’s top national security official. Tabb said “she provided information that could cause serious damage to national security,” though he did not provide specifics. Witt remains at large in Iran, as do the four hackers, who prosecutors say were acting on behalf of the
government-linked Iranian Revolutionary Guard, prosecutors said. That group has been designated by the US government as promoting terrorism. The Texas native, who defected to Iran in 2013, served in the Air Force between 1997 and 2008, where she was trained in Farsi — the predominant language of Iran — and was deployed overseas on classified counterintelligence missions, including to the Middle East. She then found work as a Defense Department contractor.
Venezuela leader’s refusal of aid ‘a terrible mistake’ WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump yesterday called Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s refusal to accept humanitarian aid a “terrible mistake” and the decision an example of what can happen when the wrong government holds power. Trump seemed also to hint at future action by the US and its allies against Maduro, who has blocked shipments of food and other assistance sent by the US and other countries for the people of Venezuela. Political and economic turmoil has led to vast shortages of basic goods, forcing many Venezuelans to flee to neighbouring Colombia or participate in massive street protests in an attempt to pressure Maduro to leave office. The US and other nations favour that outcome and have recognised opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela’s rightful leader. Asked if he had a backup plan should Maduro retain power, Trump said: “I always have Plan B. And C and D and E and F. ... A lot of things are happening in Venezuela that people don’t know about.” During an Oval Office appearance with Colombian President Ivan Duque, Trump said many countries want to help Venezuela. “We’ll be seeing a lot over the next few weeks,” he said.
COLOMBIAN President Ivan Duque listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House yesterday. Maduro has blasted the humanitarian aid as part of a US-led coup to topple him. Trump said Maduro made the wrong call in denying his people the assistance, noting that Maduro has blocked the bridge closest to where the aid is being warehoused on the Colombian border, but not other crossings. “I think he’s making a terrible mistake by not allowing” the aid to be distributed, Trump said. “It’s showing bad things and, really, we’re trying to get food to people
that are starving. You have people starving in Venezuela, and it just shows what can happen with the wrong government.” Guaido said this week that he will try to run caravans of the badly needed food and medicine into Venezuela, starting on February 23. Duque publicly committed to making sure the supplies get into Venezuela. “Obstructing the access of humanitarian aid is a crime against humanity,” the Colombian leader said.
Russia, which backs Maduro, has said Venezuela should be allowed to solve its issues internally and peacefully, a sentiment that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a telephone conversation Wednesday, according to Lavrov’s office. Trump repeatedly has said he has not ruled out any option, including military action, for dealing with the turmoil in Venezuela. On another top concern, Trump chastised Duque over illegal drugs during the public portion of their meeting. Colombia is the world’s largest exporter of cocaine and the steady growth of its coca crop in recent years has tested relations with the United States. “We are working together so that Colombia eradicates some of what they’re growing in Colombia,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t say that at this moment you’re ahead of schedule, but hopefully you will be at some time in the near future.” Duque defended his administration, asserting that more cocaine has been eradicated in the first four months of his term than during the eight months before he was sworn into office in August 2018. He said the administration has a “moral duty” to rid Colombia of illegal crops and narcotrafficking. “We have to deliver. We will deliver, because it is our moral duty,” Duque said.
PRADA FORMS ITS OWN DIVERSITY COUNCIL MILAN Associated Press ITALIAN brand Prada said it is forming a diversity council to “elevate voices of color within the company and fashion industry at large,” a move that follows accusations of racism in the luxury fashion world. Two Americans, artist Theaster Gates and film director Ava DuVernay, will chair the council, Prada said. The group will work to develop “diverse talent” and create more opportunities for students of colour, the luxury fashion house said. Gates said his work “amplifies the voices that have been absent from the broad cultural conversations,” and he was happy to work with Prada to help make the company more “reflective of the world today.” Prada apologised and withdrew bag charms that resembled black monkeys with exaggerated red lips. Critics said the charms recalled the blackface caricatures that long propagated racist stereotypes in the United States. African-American director, Spike Lee, said he would wear neither Prada nor Gucci until they included black designers.
SPAIN POISED FOR SNAP ELECTION MADRID Associated Press
THE Spanish prime minister’s office says Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez plans to announce tomorrow whether he will call an early election after his government lost a key budget vote. The Moncloa Palace said Sanchez’s decision will be announced after a
weekly Cabinet meeting. Two officials in the ruling Socialist party have said the best date for an election is April 28, less than one month before local, regional and European Parliament elections set for May 26. An official said that despite losing a budget vote on Wednesday, the Socialist party and the government were still considering “all options.”