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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.147, JUNE 23RD, 2017

Weekend

W1WEEKEND

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Friday, June 23, 2017 entertainment theatre film fashion music design food puzzles

Weekend

COMEDY FEST Page 10

Iconic beauties

WEEKEND: GLAMOUR ON THE RED CARPET AT THE ICON AWARDS

Red carpet glamour at awa rds show Pages 14&15

PLPs at odds on storm cash

POLICE QUIZ EDUCATION EMPLOYEE OVER FAKE LETTERS AN employee of the Ministry of Education was questioned by police yesterday and has been put on administrative leave after it was revealed that a staff member was creating “fake job letters” to allow people to qualify for fast loans.

The revelation came in a statement released by the Ministry of Education last night as it refuted reports that three employees had been arrested over the SEE PAGE SIX

Davis says that hurricane czar led contract process

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he does not know what specific process resulted in Johnathan Ash’s selection to provide more than $8m worth of cleanup services after Hurricane Matthew and that former Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson, the hurricane czar, was head of processes related to such matters.

Mr Davis said the first time he became aware of the matter was when it was raised in Parliament this week, saying none of it came to his attention while he served as Minister of

Works. However, he said he was advised that Mr Ash’s “contract award followed the usual procedures.”

His statement comes after Mr Gibson, when asked by The Tribune Wednesday for insight into how contracts were awarded in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, said: “Those were issued by Ministry of Works. Not me.”

During his contribution to the budget debate Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Mr Ash’s requests for payments were submitted through the Ministry of Works and the National Recovery and Reconstruction Unit (NRRU) which is in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

SEE PAGE SIX

MILLER: FORMER DEPUTY PM WAS IN ‘LOSE-LOSE’ SITUATION

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis was subjected to a “lose-lose” dilemma by the actions of “men hungry for power” during his tenure as deputy prime minister and minister of works, according to former Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller.

In addition, while ad-

dressing allegations of misfeasance within the former administration, Mr Miller also told The Tribune he was sickened over the mention of many of the claims being presented to the public. However, he said, there were many good people in the Christie Cabinet who he did not think were aware of some of the allegations now being brought to the forefront.

SEE PAGE THREE

PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis with fellow party members at a press conference in the minority room of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

NOTHING ‘UNUSUAL’ IN BAHA MAR PAPERS MINNIS STEERS

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE the Free National Movement’s suggestions on the campaign trail that the now unsealed Baha Mar documents may have been troubling, Attorney General Carl Bethel said Thursday that the documents contain nothing “unusual” that would prompt the government to renegotiate its terms.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Bethel also said the agreement doesn’t infringe on Atlantis’ most favoured nation status.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced on Tuesday night in Parliament that the heads of terms relating to Baha Mar’s sale was approved for release by the Supreme Court last Thursday, before he tabled the agreement, which he said fulfilled a campaign promise by the governing FNM.

However, he added that other “sensitive” documents relating to the sale remain under a court seal.

“We said if there was anything untoward or conflicts of interest with these people we would renegotiate,” Mr Bethel told The Tribune when he was contacted. “But there is nothing that calls for renegotiation. There is nothing particularly unusual in the documents.”

SEE PAGE SIX

process. However, he added, the many allegations against the former administration that have emerged from the House of Assembly warranting criminal prosecution have other avenues of redress.

His statement came days after Works Minister Desmond Bannister told Parlia-

ment that some members of the Christie administration are “guilty” of misfeasance, adding that Mr Bethel will have to determine if they should be held liable for the “millions” in taxpayer dollars that were awarded in questionable contracts.

SEE PAGE SIX

BETHEL: NO FILES RECEIVED ON MISCONDUCT ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel said his office has not received any files in relation to complaints of misconduct of former government officials.

He said whatever information that is sent to the Office of the Attorney General in the future will be dealt with under due

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

CLEAR OF ROW WITH ISAACS

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has no interest in a back-and-forth argument with Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Emeritus Errington “Minky” Isaacs over his nearly $2m government contract, but is instead focused on running the country, according to Press Secretary Anthony “Ace” Newbold yesterday.

This comes amid backlash over comments Mr Isaacs made to The Nassau Guardian saying he was disgusted by the prime minister’s statements about his lucrative contract with SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, June 23, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis visited the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation, greeting and chatting with some of the staff.

Photos: OPM Media Services

PM TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT HISTORY

By MATT MAURA Bahamas Information Services

THE construction and/ or renovation of a National Museum of The Bahamas has tremendous potential in terms of not only preserving the country’s history for future generations of Bahamians, but also in generating job and wealth creation opportunities for Bahamians of all walks of life, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said Wednesday.

Last week, the Prime Minister proposed the construction of a National Museum of The Bahamas.

He said it would reap great dividends for the country.

On Wednesday, Dr Minnis said whether the museum will be constructed as a free-standing facility or through the renovation of existing space at Centreville (where the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation is currently located in the old Ministry of Education Headquarters Compound on Shirley Street and Col-

lins Avenue) is a matter that will be up for discussion with officials at the corporation, which is headed by Dr Keith Tinker.

“The Bahamas has great potential in terms of our history and our historic sites and we have to grasp the opportunity,” Dr Minnis said. “It’s unfortunate they (Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation) do not have a proper museum within which to display that history. That must be dealt with as we move forward because Bahamians are losing a lot of their history.

“We must see to it that a proper museum is either constructed or renovated in order to give Bahamians and visitors alike an opportunity to see these artifacts being displayed properly so that they will be able to get a glimpse into our great Bahamian history.

“Whether we will construct a free standing museum or renovate what is here now, is a discussion they and I will have going forward, but the bottom line

is we must have a proper museum to display the various artifacts found within The Bahamas – plus its an excellent attraction for both tourists and residents.”

Dr Minnis made his comments while visiting facilities at the site of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museum Corporation. The tour was part of the Prime Minister’s ongoing familiarisation visits to government corporations, ministries and departments that fall under the purview of the Office of the Prime Minister.

His ’ most recent visit was to the Department of Lands and Surveys. Officials there say it was the first time a Minister at any level had visited the Department in almost 30 years.

“I am an ardent believer in culture. I think it has a great role to play in terms of attracting cruise and airlift tourists to our shores and expanding economic opportunities for Bahamians while also increasing revenue,” Prime Minister Minnis said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 23, 2017, PAGE 3

PLP leader says BPL gave contract to Minky Isaacs

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the procurement department of Bahamas Power & Light, without his involvement, gave a contract to Errington “Minky” Isaacs for remediation work after the latter submitted a bid for the contract.

During a press conference to respond to allegations against the Christie administration, Mr Davis also rejected criticism from Works Minister Desmond Bannister that he ignored the advice of technical experts in some concerning ways, saying if there are good reasons to depart from advice then such should happen.

His comment about Mr Isaacs came after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis claimed in the House of Assembly Tuesday that Mr Isaacs received a $1.8m contract—without the government seeking bids, even though contracts over $100,000 require bids or requests for proposals.

Dr Minnis made a similar claim about a contract worth more than $900,000 that was given to a Fitzgerald who owned a customs brokerage firm. It has been suggested this person is the father of former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald.

Mr Davis said yesterday

THE PLP press conference in the minority room of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff that he had no information to respond to the allegation relating to Mr Fitzgerald, adding that he will continue seeking answers about it and other matters.

Concerning Mr Isaacs, Mr Davis said: “In respect of the allegation that Errington ‘Minky’ Isaacs received a no bid contract from BEC, this is false. The facts are that Mr Isaacs’ company won a contract to assist in the clean-up of petroleum in Clifton Pier and Blue Hills Station at the BEC plant. I am advised

that the contract was put out to bid and Mr Isaacs’ company was the successful bidder. The issue here is not how much was paid but whether value for money was obtained for the work given. Our advice is that it was. It is important to note that the scope of works the subject matter of the contract had been in existence from at least 1997 with two other contractors having been engaged before the award to Mr Isaacs’ company. The contract was issued following the established

protocols––contracts were (awarded) to other companies during the years 1997 to 2002 and then 2002 to 2007 and then 2007 to 2013.

In 2013 after a successful bidding process, Mr Isaacs’ company received the contract.”

Mr Davis said association with the PLP or FNM should not disqualify someone from bidding for work with state owned enterprises.

Asked what expertise Mr Isaacs had to perform the job, he said this was some-

thing that the procurement department of Bahamas Power and Light, formerly BEC, has to rationalise.

“I don’t think it’s unknown for people who don’t have expertise to bid on a project and hire the expertise that is necessary,” he said. “That is not unknown.

It would then be for BEC to ensure he was carrying out the works in accordance with the arrangement that he did. If they were satisfied that he was doing it and had resources to carry out the contract, it’s a matter for them.”

Dr Minnis said Tuesday that with respect to the matters relating to both Mr Isaacs and Mr Fitzgerald, RFPs were issued and though bids were made, they were ignored; subsequently, he claimed, people related to the aforementioned matters were asked to submit contracts.

Advice Earlier this week, Mr Bannister also claimed that advice of technical experts was ignored concerning projects related to the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), the post office building under construction at the Independence Shopping Centre and the construction of a primary school in Andros.

In the case of the post office, a traffic impact study was not done, design details

were not submitted and an analysis of whether there would be ground contamination from the nearby gas station were not done.

With respect to the Lowe Sound Primary School in Andros, Mr Bannister said three inexperienced people were chosen to construct the building despite the warnings of technical experts.

Mr Davis said yesterday: “I don’t have the files and I don’t know in what respect he speaks to when he says technical advice would not have been followed. Suffice it to say, advice is advice and if there are sound and good reasons to depart from that advice the advice would not be followed. That is an incident of governing. If there is a sound and good reason to depart from advice we do so particularly when you are considering that advice against the betterment or better good of your people and you consider it in the context of good governance.”

On the matter of the post office, he noted that challenges there caused the Ministry of Works to submit a stop order to cease construction.

And as for the primary school, Mr Davis said: “I would not respond to that.

Files would demonstrate what happened and if he feels there is something untoward, do something about it.”

DAVIS: GOVT CHOSE TO WITHDRAW FROM CCRIF - IT DID NOT LET HURRICANE INSURANCE LAPSE

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net OPPOSITION Leader Philip ‘Brave” Davis denied yesterday that the Progressive Liberal Party allowed the country’s Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility to lapse, telling reporters that the former government withdrew from the CCRIF “after careful consideration” and advice from several government agencies.

At a press conference in the Minority Room at the House of Assembly, Mr Davis said after the country was denied a claim made to the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) following the passage of Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, a committee formed from technical officers in the Ministry of Finance, the Met Department

and the Port Department, found that it was “ineffective to continue with insurance” from the CCRIF and said “it would be more cost effective if the government self-insured”.

In fact, Mr Davis said the committee found that “premiums paid to CCRIF would’ve been better placed into an account to assist with hurricane disaster relief”.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told parliamentarians the former government missed out on a more than $31m insurance payout because it opted not to pay the country’s premium to CCRIF. On Thursday, Mr Davis challenged Dr Minnis to release the file from the committee and let their findings be made public.

“That committee opined that it was ineffective to continue with insurance

from CCRIF and that it would be more cost efficient that the government be self-insured. That same committee, following Hurricane Matthew and after an intervention by CCRIF, came back with that same conclusion that had the government remained in that insurance we would not have benefited because of the terms of the insurance,” Mr Davis said.

“I will call on him (Dr Minnis) to pull the file and release the information from the file of the technical team that advised the government and to make it known. If it’s a government of transparency, then pull the file. Don’t’ just read the letter that they read in Parliament but look at all the antecedent documents that led to decisions made by the government. The advice was for government to self-insure as it does

for most of the buildings it owns now. “This building (House of Assembly) is not insured. The Ministry of Works is not insured; they have their own, selfinsurance in some form or fashion. The advice was that premiums paid to CCRIF would’ve been better placed into account to assist with hurricane disaster relief.”

Last October, then Minister of State for Finance Michael Halkitis told Parliament that the Christie administration ceased financial contributions to the CCRIF because the Bahamas would only have received compensation in the event of a category five hurricane.

Mr Halkitis said the Bahamas would not have received any Hurricane Matthew relief from the Caribbean disaster insurance fund because

the storm was not strong enough to trigger a payout.

The former Golden Isles MP said that while the Bahamas has been a member of CCRIF for many years, it has never been able to access any relief funding under the facility.

On Tuesday, Dr Minnis read portions of a letter he received on May 31, 2017 from the chief executive officer of the CCRIF. Dr Minnis said what this letter revealed about the insurance was shocking.

Dr Minnis told Parliament: “He (the CEO) wrote: ‘We are pleased that the Bahamas has been a member of CCRIF since its inception in 2007. We are pleased that the government purchased tropical cyclone (hurricane) policies every year between 2007 and 2014 and also purchased policies for both tropical cyclones and excess

rainfall for the 2015/2016 policy year. “‘However, we deeply regret that the government decided not to renew its CCRIF policies for the 2016/2017 year resulting in the Bahamas missing out on two CCRIF payouts from Tropical Cyclone Matthew.’ I note that the annual policy for this insurance facility was approximately $900,000. I was shocked by what the CEO of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility went on to say in his letter.

“He stated: ‘Based on the registered losses, it means that had the government of the Bahamas renewed its tropical cyclone policy for 2016/2017, using the previous year’s policy conditions, the policy would have triggered, resulting in a payout of approximately US$31.8m, equal to the coverage limit.’”

MILLER: FORMER DEPUTY PM WAS IN ‘LOSE-LOSE’ SITUATION from page one

Speaking about Mr Davis, Mr Miller said: “Hindsight is 20/20, if he knew then half way through that term what he knows now, he would have begged (former Prime Minister Perry) Christie and those closest to him, to all walk away.”

Current Works Minister Desmond Bannister on Monday revealed that under the Christie administration, public/private partnerships were not coordinated through the Ministry of Works and were allowed to begin without technical experts at the ministry weighing in on a number of matters relating to them.

Mr Bannister also made public details of a letter penned by Mr Davis in which he warned Mr Christie that members of Parliament were “authorising contractors to undertake capital and property maintenance works” to be paid by his ministry without the Ministry of Works’ consideration and approval.

Seeming to defend Mr Davis’ past actions, Mr Miller told The Tribune that he believes that the

letter was only written because the Cat Island, San Salvador and Rum Cay MP felt as if he was “at the end of his rope.”

“In his mind, him being a man of the people and wanting the best for this country, he knew things had gotten to a point where things could no longer be salvaged,” Mr Miller said.

“He took exception because he knew the situation was of grave concern and he was in an awkward spot.”

Mr Miller suggested that a “select few” in the former Cabinet saw their close bonds with Mr Christie as a “ticket” to do as they pleased when they wanted to.

While he did not name these ministers directly, Mr Miller said for many of them, their “over-exuberance” to do right by Mr Christie and his bid to stay on and keep power often led to these persons “overstepping.”

“Each minister believed that they could do what they wanted to do. This was particularly the case with works and infrastructure contracts and as much as it hurts my head to consider where that brought the party, the facts show that they

did what they saw as best for re-election.

“As the man responsible for infrastructural upkeep of the country, Brave was in a lose-lose spot because it is hard to stop men hungry for power.”

Offering some insight into the working dynamic between the nation’s former leader and his second in command during their 2012-2017 tenure, Mr Miller indicated that there were “struggles” between the two men at “a number of junctures.”

Mr Miller said the “power struggle” only intensified when Mr Christie walked-back plans to step down midway through his second, non-consecutive term as prime minister.

Before the 2012 general election, Mr Christie said if elected, he would step down half term and make way for a successor. However, he later said he intended to serve a full term and was elected for a second nonconsecutive term.

“Now if you remember, Mr Christie said he was going to serve only half the term,” Mr Miller said. “I mean, if you sit as the DPM, you assume that you would ascend to that spot, right?

“That time came and went. (Mr Christie) was still in place, and to make things even stranger, those select few was making moves as if they were the man himself.

“We look at that PerryBrave ticket and think one thing, but you have to remember, Brave once wanted to challenge Christie.

“One party didn’t want to make the party look bad so he sat back the way you should and wait. In his mind, he was doing the right thing. But look how it worked out.

“I think it was a situation of ‘I am in charge and I am going to stay on,’ that was a big deal. One wanted to retain power, the other wanted to reach that goal.”

Asked if the failures and short-falls of the former administration would hinder Mr Davis’ political future, Mr Miller said only time would tell.

“People are going to see Mr Davis for who he is. He has always been the go-toman for everyone that has worked with him because he has a heart for the people and doing right by them.

“Brave is always going to try his best to help whoever he can and that hasn’t changed. It’s a reason he

still there; his people know what he is.”

‘Sick’ The former Bahamas Electricity Corporation executive chairman said he is disheartened by the things being attributed to the former government.

“I would say, the majority of the ministers were not informed, many of them were not aware that these things now being talked about, that these things were actually happening.

“No way in hell,” Mr Miller stated.

“No doubt in the world, you’re talking of persons the calibre of Damien Gomez, (Michael) Darville, (Michael) Halkitis; these men would not sit there and be a party to some of these

things. That’s a fact.

“You’re talking about Glenys Hanna Martin, not in a thousand years these sorts of things could happen with her knowing. These are good people, and to imagine them sitting around a table and hearing these things; they would feel how I feel when I hear it now, sick to my damn stomach. All my head hurting hearing about these big ass contracts.

“I could say that Leslie Miller had no inkling that these things were going on.

This (expletive) is ridiculous. But now, the party is carrying the label and we have to fix that moving forward. We have to work extremely hard to clear names and have a better future,” he concluded.

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THE TRIBUNE

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Time for an overhaul of tourism policy THE possibility of establishing normal relations between the USA and Cuba has always been seen as a potential threat to our tourism industry here in The Bahamas. If the restrictions on American visitors to the island were lifted, its attractions as a tourist destination are obvious because of its rarity value and its inherent historical interest as well as the same sun, sea and sand that we ourselves offer. So, despite President Trump’s recent move to reverse his predecessor’s relaxation of the travel rules, there is no room for complacency because tour group visits will still be permitted.

Since tourism is a mainstay of the Bahamian economy, we believe that the competition from Cuba and from other rivals in the Caribbean region, which is constantly growing as they improve their own tourism product, makes it important for the new government to take a hard overall look at what we offer visitors and how we can improve it.

Likewise, it is important to re-examine the government’s role in promoting, supporting and regulating tourism, not least in light of the PLP government’s reprehensible involvement in the Baha Mar project and the alleged chicanery associated with it.

Such a review does not imply that the Ministry of Tourism itself is failing to do its job properly, though there have been setbacks recently like the Fyre Festival fiasco that resulted partly from lack of adequate official scrutiny and created damaging international publicity for The Bahamas. But with a new and vigorous minister in place, who is renowned for his no-nonsense approach, the time seems ripe for a wide ranging reassessment. It is important, in particular, to examine the balance between attracting foreign investment in the sector without permitting huge developments inimical to the environment (what is happening now in Bimini should be a cautionary tale) and developing other areas like local cultural attractions and ecotourism with its enormous potential which has been neglected over the years.

With so much on its plate, such a major review may not be at the top of the government’s agenda, but we were encouraged by the Prime Minister’s address last week to the annual meeting of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism association in which he set out his government’s tourism strategy.

While recognising the vital contribution made by the existing multinational resorts, boutique hotels, fishing lodges, tour companies, water sports operators and others, Dr Minnis nonetheless stressed the need for further diversification to cover the country’s history and culture – its music and dance, arts, folklore and variety of sporting facilities – in order to show that we have more to offer the interested visitor than simply lying on a beach and soaking up the sun.

His plan to strengthen the links be-

tween foreign direct investment and home-grown businesses, thereby encouraging local entrepreneurship, seems to be based on what he has termed an ‘incentive framework’. This is surely to be welcomed, though we hope the government will apply any new financial incentives with due care lest the practice is allowed to drift into tax dollars being used as subsidies simply to prop up individual companies. More importantly, the government ought to be cutting red tape and limiting regulation so as to improve the ease of doing business acrossthe- board.

Admirable as the Prime Minister’s socalled ‘master plan’ appears to be, we urge him at the same time to take urgent action in relation to Bay Street which cruise ship visitors encounter as soon as they disembark. There has been much talk of revitalising the area but successive plans never seem to be implemented. In particular, East Bay Street has become an eyesore and an embarrassment.

With so many false starts, the time has come for government to provide leadership and direction in order to stimulate action.

A visitor’s overall experience of our country is what counts if the word is to be spread that it really is ‘better in The Bahamas’, so the government also needs to look at the broader picture. It is encouraging that many practical aspects of local life work well; for example, our hotels, banks, supermarkets, medical and dental services, pharmacies, gas stations, restaurants and wine stores, to name just a few. But all these are run by the private sector. The electricity supply remains unreliable (despite being partially privatised) and it is now widely recognised that the provision of services is better managed by private businesses.

One glaring example of public sector inadequacy is our woefully inefficient postal service which has deteriorated to an alarming extent in recent years and has now become a disgrace. The failings of the Post Office affect businesses and private citizens alike, including our visitors. The government should take immediate measures to manage it properly or, in the longer term, privatise it.

More generally, these are still early days for the new administration, and its overall performance so far has been more than satisfactory. But, unless it produces meaningful long-term results, the honeymoon will not last. In light of the almost daily revelations about the Christie government’s financial malfeasance, the public’s demand for accountability of its political leaders continues to grow.

Moving forward, people want transparency and efficiency in handling the country’s affairs. As our major industry, tourism in particular needs effective organization and management in order to achieve maximum benefit for the nation as a whole. We are confident that the dynamic new minister directly responsible will rise to the challenge.

PLP support EDITOR, The Tribune.

EVEN though the election is over and the FNM are still trying to get settled into power, I continue to be amazed at the number of people who supported the PLP in the last election.

That party’s blatant disregard for the grass-root party faithful, soaring crime, unemployment and waste of over $3 billion dollars among other infractions, was not enough to deter die-hard supporters for the PLP. There seems to be a mindless fanaticism which paralyses the ability to use commonsense in that group of Bahamians. People who allow their personal feelings to trump objective evidence to the detriment of

the national interest.

I wonder how a nation could function properly when such a large percentage of its population has such grossly underdeveloped critical reasoning skills? This has nothing to do with education, but simply using your eyes and brain to understand the world around you then making decisions based on that. But then again our nation is not functioning properly. People are poorly socialised, always angry and ready to get in a fight or cuss you out for trivialities. There is little or no regard for or consideration of others, common courtesy is largely nonexistent on our streets and in many business places. This is a sad commentary on the

degree of social decay that has taken place in our country.

One can only wonder, in light of the many revelations of abuse of power and public funds, what would have happened to this country if there was not a change of government. If it were up to the mindless few, the rape and pillage of the public treasury would have continued unabated, this country would have been irreparably destroyed, while they gloated about their party’s win and returned to their homes without electricity and running water.

But for the grace of God! JB Nassau, June 22, 2017.

I was blind, but now I can see EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS a lifelong supporter of the now defunct and badly demoralised Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) I profusely apologise to the good people of our wonderful nation for being a co-conspirator with that party and its then leadership cadre in selling a patently bogus agenda back in 2012. The PLP as I used to know it is no more and started to vanish in the last year of The Gold Rush Administration.

The startling revelations made by the Hon Doctor Hubert A Minnis (FNMKillarney), our Prime Minister, during his budget contribution, brought down the scales from my eyes. I was once politically blind...... now I am able to see clearly, again.

No one, least of all me, begrudge any single hard working and honest Bahamian from earning, the old fashioned way, a reasonable living. The fact, however, that one individual and his mostly “unregistered” companies were able to collect more than eight million dollars is a telling indictment on the entire Christie administration/maladministration, especially when one considers the scope of the services provided in exchange. There are countless Bahamians who have long outstanding judgments against successive governments or who are owed compensation, for decades for land acquired by successive administrations “for public purposes”.

To add insult to injury, it was also revealed by the ertswhile Prime Minister that one former high ranking PLP party official secured a contract from the then BEC worth millions to perform services for which he, allegedly, has no formal training or experience....... oil removal and disposal.

Another individual/firm closely connected to the PLP received a customs brokerage contract worth almost a million dollars per year. Is this individual/

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net company connected to former Minister of Education, Jerome Fritzgerald.......the same one who wrote to Sarkis apparently soliciting business for his family owned business and ‘medical assistance’ for his father, according to emails which are in the public domain?

I appreciate that forensic audits are being conducted into various ministries and governmental agencies so I do not wish to preempt whatever the audits might reveal, if anything, but the vanquished, thank God, PLP, has much to account for. How much was collected for the Hurricane Relief Fund? Where is the dedicated account located and who were the signatories on that account/s? Where is the former Minister of National Reconstruction, et al, Shane Gibson? He held responsibilities for numerous vital ministries and agencies; The Public Service (which was saddled with a huge increase in casual workers in the weeks ahead of the May 10th general elections); National Insurance Board; the proposed National Health Insurance (which had no gazetted regulations and no statutory board); The Labor Department and only former PM Christie knew what else or he should have known.

Months after the passage of Matthew, scores of Bahamians are still waiting for long promised donated supplies and financial compensation from the central government.

Individuals are complaining about the inordinate length of time they have to wait to access pensions and other benefits to which they are entitled.

Yes, it has been revealed, multi-million dollar contracts and sinecures were given to PLP hacks and cronies as if there were no tomorrow.

An uninsured dormitory burnt straight down to the

ground at BAMSI, years ago, and no one within the Ministry of Works, inclusive of the then minister, has ever been held accountable.

The contractor, at that time, former Senator Audley Hanna, a known PLP counsellor, has yet to publicly address that issue or to show proof that he compensated the then administration for his admitted ‘oversight’ in not showing proof of a valid indemnity contract.

I have heard about a former minister in the Gold Rush Administration who, either solely or though shell companies, purchased several garbage trucks to contract out with the now infamous Harold Road Landfill. I know who the alleged former minister is and, if challenged, I will publicly expose him. Many ministers and members of the PGC Administration displayed absolutely no shame in their apparent political deceit and perceived plunder of the public purse.

The Rump Opposition will remain in the political wilderness for a long time. In fact, as led currently, the PLP is losing traction and believability by the nano second.

The shrill and hallowed cries by its parliamentary members and the National Chairman who, apparently, is still deluded and shocked over the electoral results suffered by the PLP, under his watch, are pathetic and sad. They shout ‘witch haunt’ but under the PLP it would seem that witches infested its ranks from the top straight down to the level of constituency workers. If credible evidence of corruption surfaces, the Minnis Administration must have the political will power to do the right thing.

It cannot be business as usual if Minnis and crew wish to retain the goodwill of right thinking Bahamians. To God then, in all of these things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, June 22, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Mitchell/Smith fued continues to rage on

Friday, June 23, 2017, PAGE 5

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE bitter war of words between Senator and former Cabinet minister Fred Mitchell and activist lawyer Fred Smith has been given new life with the formulation of a personal campaign forged by the latter.

Mr Smith, QC, yesterday confirmed to The Tribune that he and other private citizens have masterminded the organisation Bahamas Against Mitchell (BAM), which has placed several full-page ads in The Tribune depicting Mr Mitchell as the country’s “greatest danger to democracy”.

Mr Smith’s admission as BAM’s chairman follows a pledge by Mr Mitchell to fully investigate the funding source for those ads, which the former immigration minister called defamatory.

In a press statement, and also at an Official Opposition press conference yesterday, Mr Mitchell noted that the ads were distinctly similar in style and content to ads run during the 2017 general election campaign by a number of organisations with ties to Mr Smith and Save The Bays.

Mr Mitchell announced his intent to lodge a formal complaint of breach of privilege in the Senate.

“I am satisfied that the ads are designed to injure me in my office and in my character and ultimately to silence me in my office by the use of money which cannot be matched by my private or party resources and therefore disclose a prima facie breach of privilege,” Mr Mitchell’s statement read.

“I will look to the Parliament of this country for its protection. The ads have certainly caused a great deal of consternation and distress to my family and to my political colleagues.”

Mr Mitchell’s remarks were intended to be read in the Senate, which convened briefly yesterday, but were

FRED Mitchell with Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling at his swearing-in as a senator. Mr Mitchell says advertisements are defaming his character and are a breach of privilege by attempting to silence him in his office. instead released as a press vomits bile against anybody his activities, to prevent the matter was adjourned that has a different opinion him getting into a position last week and has not yet statement. of power ever again.”

For his part, Mr Smith of him. been heard. “(Fred Mitchell) is opIn his statement yesterstressed that the BAM camMr Mitchell said: “It is paign was a personal effort posed to freedom of ex- day, Mr Mitchell referred to important in my view to deand argued that the ads pression, he abuses his a request issued by the Reg- termine where the money published did not contain office, he promoted immi- istrar General in April for trail leads and who is begration policies that were Save The Bays to disclose hind this. Indeed, if I am defamatory content.

The QC maintained inhumane and degrading. documents detailing the or- to receive recompense it is his belief that Mr Mitch- He was a promoter of dis- ganisation’s purpose, objec- absolutely crucial to know ell was obsessed with both crimination, vitriol, and tive, and activities, inclusive where the sourcing of the him and the environment hate towards people,” Mr of financial statements. money is and the identity Acting Registrar Deir- of the individuals who are group Save The Bays, add- Smith claimed.

“Anybody who disagreed dre Clarke-Maycock has seeking to defame me and ing that BAM was committed to lobbying against Mr with Fred Mitchell became explained that this was a injure me in my public ofMitchell to ensure that he public enemy number one,” perfunctory request to up- fice.” was never in a “position of Mr Smith continued, “this date and ensure compliTo this, Mr Smith said: kind of person in public of- ance of organisations on “As long as Fred Mitchell power ever again.”

“Fred Mitchell is a wolf in fice is not good for the body its registry; however, STB is seeking power, I will consheep’s clothing,” Mr Smith politic. So this organisation filed an application in the tinue to discourage support contended, “but his last five is committed to keeping a Supreme Court to block for him, he is a danger to years as a Cabinet minister magnifying glass on Sena- the request. democracy. He doesn’t have Yesterday, Mr Smith said to dig deep. I’m here.” has demonstrated that he tor Fred Mitchell on all of

LOW TURNOUT AS LOCAL ELECTIONS GET UNDER WAY IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH there are 25,000 registered voters on Grand Bahama, there continues to be low interest and participation in the local government election.

Voting centres opened at 8.30am yesterday, but there were no long lines and voter turnout was slow, particularly at the polling stations in Freeport.

Freeport Administrator Preston Cunningham was very disappointed about the lack of participation from voters in the City of Freeport District.

“This morning it was very slow,” he reported. “I left one polling station at 9am and the first person had not reached yet to vote.”

There was a little improvement when he checked again around 11am when one polling station had some 50 voters.

“I am not sure what would have transpired since I last checked, but it did not appear from what I saw early in the day that we would have had a good turnout, and it is cause for concern,” Mr Cunningham said.

He hoped that the numbers would increase later in the day.

Administrator Cunningham expected that voters would be more enthused after coming off a very high turnout in the general election on May 10.

He believed that recent controversies surrounding councillors in the past might have discouraged voters.

“I think it has a whole lot to do with the way council-

lors behaved in the past; they are too selfish in their thinking and not acting in the best interest of the community. They are more concerned about political alignment, and there is no respect for democracy,” he said.

Last week, Mr Cunningham reported that a significant number of new, young individuals nominated as candidates this year, more than any other time since the introduction of the local government in 1996.

In the Freeport District, a total of 34 candidates are vying for the nine council seats - three seats in Marco City; and two seats each in Pineridge, Central Grand Bahama, and East Grand Bahama.

Despite the disappointing turnout, Mr Cunningham hopes that a “good slate” is chosen to serve.

“We need unselfish individuals who are willing to learn and be retrained,” he said.

In the east, voter turnout was not as disappointing, according to Administrator Harvey Roberts.

He stated that while voters were trickling in slowly, he was pleased with the turnout of eligible voters.

“It is slow, but we are doing really well,” reported Mr Roberts.

In Sweeting Cay, he indicated that of the 99 eligible voters, 75 had turned out up to press time. In McLeans Town where there are 210 eligible voters, he said 79 turned out at last report.

Mr Roberts reported that of the 122 voters in Mather Town, 65 had voted; and of the 196 eligible voters in High Rock, 115 had turned out.

He said that there were two positions that were uncontested in the east – Iram Hield in Water Cay and Marcus Cooper in Free Town.

“I am not disappointed with the turnout; I think we did very well,” he said.

Administrator Brenda Colebrooke could not be reached up to press time.

Some of the candidates were very optimistic about being elected in their area.

Tammi Mitchell, the candidate for Pineridge, hopes to be among the two chosen to represent her community.

“I am pleased about the support I am getting from persons. It has been very good so far, and individuals have wished me well, and I am just eager to serve my community,” she told The Tribune.

Ms Mitchell, who is no stranger to service, is a NEMA warehouse manager in Grand Bahama.

The Tribune caught up with Earl Neely, the candidate in Marco City at the Jack Hayward High School.

Mr Neely, who is also a well-known radio DJ, decided to run for local government to serve his community and help introduce some new much needed social/recreational programmes.

At the Freeport Primary School, Erris Hutcheson, candidate for East Grand Bahama, said that he decided to offer himself because he felt he could make a difference in his community.

“There is a lot of neglect; we have a lot of signage down, speed bumps that are needed in more areas, and playgrounds are overgrown

and littered with trash,” he said.

A total of 160 candidates nominated in Grand Ba-

hama for local government positions. The results of the election will be released today.

AK47 RIFLE IS SEIZED

BY POLICE

A MAN was arrested after police seized an AK-47 assault rifle on Thursday, police reported. Around 1am, Selective Enforcement Team officers acting on intelligence executed a search warrant on a home located on Kemp Road occupied by a man.

During the search, the officers uncovered the high-powered rifle with two magazines containing seven rounds of ammunition. The male occupant of the home was subsequently taken into custody.

Police also said that two men are in custody for drug possession after being arrested in separate incidents.

Around noon Wednesday, Southwestern Division officers were on routine patrol on Fire Trail Road near Sir Milo Butler Highway when they saw a man driving a van who aroused their suspicion.

The officers then signaled to the vehicle to stop. When the officers approached the vehicle, the male threw a taped package outside which was retrieved and found to contain five pounds of marijuana, police said.

The man was subsequently taken into custody.

Then shortly after 1pm Wednesday, Southeastern Division officers were on routine patrol on Gilda Street in the Kennedy Subdivision, when they saw a man standing who aroused their suspicion. The officers accosted the man and found a plastic bag containing 16 small foil wrappings with marijuana in his possession.

The man was subsequently taken into custody.

POLICE HUNT FOR SUSPECT AFTER SHOOTING POLICE are searching for a man responsible for a shooting that left another man in hospital on Wednesday.

According to reports, shortly after 11.30pm, a man was sitting in front of a home located at Hillside Estates, when another man in a gold coloured Ford Explorer vehicle pulled up and shot him before speeding off.

The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in serious condition.

Police are also searching for a suspect responsible for an armed robbery that occurred on Thursday. Shortly after midnight, a woman had just pulled up to her home located at Boatswain Hill in her white 2012 Honda Accord coupe, license plate AD6916, when a slim male of a dark complexion armed with a handgun approached and robbed her of her vehicle before speeding off.

PAGE 6, Friday, June 23, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

POLICE QUIZ EDUCATION EMPLOYEE OVER FAKE LETTERS from page one

alleged theft of $245,000.

“The Department of Education categorically refutes circulating media reports about the arrest of three Ministry of Education employees, now reportedly in police custody, involving the alleged steal-

ing of $245,000,” the statement noted.

“To be clear, a staff member of the ministry’s Performance Appraisal Unit was interviewed under caution by the police today at the Ministry of Education headquarters on Thompson Blvd, after it was brought to the attention of the Ministry of

Education by a local financial institution that a staff member was involved in the production of fake job letters for non-ministry employees, who sought to qualify for fast loans.

“The public is hereby informed that the staff member (in) question has been given a one-week administrative leave while the in-

vestigation continues,” the statement noted.

This comes as police as are still investigating the suspected theft of millions of dollars from Bahamas Power and Light.

On Wednesday, Minister of Works Desmond Bannister told The Tribune he has authorised the board at BPL to “take the necessary

steps” to remove persons from the company in relation to the alleged theft.

According to a wellplaced source, the amount allegedly stolen is now suspected to be about $4m.

Last month, four BPL employees were suspended and one person was terminated pending the outcome of the theft inves-

tigation, The Tribune was told.

Employees were accused of “orchestrating an elaborate scheme” that allegedly involved fake companies and forged cheques. Allegedly at least one bank employee was also involved in the plot and was being investigated, a source told The Tribune.

NOTHING ‘UNUSUAL’ IN BAHA MAR PAPERS from page one

He also said: “And concerning the joint promotional commitment, well that’s the same thing that occurred with Atlantis.

So there is nothing that infringes on the most favoured nation agreement.”

The tabled heads of terms said Bahamians who owned and held shop leases and concessions in the Baha Mar project were permitted by the China Export Import Bank (CEXIM) and the preferred purchaser to continue to hold them under the existing terms and conditions.

It further allowed for up to 1,200 work permits to be issued to China Construction America (CCA) and 30 work permits for all necessary staff of the asset special purpose vehicle (SPV) during the remobilisation and construction phase.

The project was also to

benefit from exemptions of value added tax and import taxes of goods and services for completion.

The document again raises questions about conflicts of interest and whether former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson was too closely connected to negotiations to get the shuttered resort open.

In 2015, she revealed that her husband Maxwell Gibson owns the retail jewellery store chain that had been granted storefront leases in Baha Mar. At the time, she rejected accusations that she had a conflict of interest due to her role as government negotiator for the stalled resort.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson’s revelation came in a statement released four days after she initially said her two daughters, 28 and 30, had leases to operate stores in Baha Mar while she was a guest on the More 94 FM talk show “Real Talk Live”. Mrs Maynard-Gib-

son revealed her daughters’ connection to the resort

BETHEL: NO FILES RECEIVED ON MISCONDUCT

from page one

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said in the House of Assembly that the attorney general and minister of state for legal affairs have both been asked to review the Christie administration’s decision to drop its hurricane insurance policy with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility. Dr Minnis said this move meant the government missed out on a more than $31m insurance payout.

“We’ve not received any documentation as yet on any of those particular concerns that may have been expressed in the House of Assembly,” Mr Bethel told reporters yesterday.

“I’m not prepared to prejudge, I have no information apart from what I may have read in the newspapers and as I said, anything referred to the Attorney General’s Office, whether by another minister or by the general public is referred to the appropriate officials for the appropriate treatment.”

On whether recent alle-

gations against the former government may be criminal, Mr Bethel said: “I’m not sure that the prime minister would have gone that far as to indicate possible prosecutions and I wouldn’t either. I would say that the law is sufficiently mature, common law, that certain acts could either be dealt with civilly, in civil law, or in some other way.

“But I do not believe that anything that’s been said by anyone in Parliament has gone to the extent of raising any criminal concerns.”

and Prime Minister Perry Christie’s knowledge of the matter.

However, earlier this year, she and former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald dismissed tabloid accusations of abuse of power and conflict of interest as election season smear tactics.

Both former ministers were alleged by a tabloid to have entered into secret “sweetheart” deals connected to the mega-resort and its new buyer Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) that would see them allegedly net “unlawful private profits” in the millions.

The heads of terms noted: “Further, the government expects that Bahamian citizens owning and holding

shop leases and concession in the project will be permitted by CEXIM and the proposed purchaser to continue to hold them on the same terms and conditions as currently exists.

“The asset SPV agrees to enter into new lease agreements on terms of the shop leases held by said Bahamian citizens no less favourable than the existing leases.

“Further CEXIM agreed to encourage the proposed purchaser to support and honour those said Bahamian citizens owning and holding such shop leases provided by the BML companies, their related entities and affiliates shall not be entitled to participate in the process referred to herein.”

Regarding construction

concessions, the agreement said the government was to waive stamp duty and VAT on the transfer of assets from the BML companies to the SPV group - including any stamp duty or VAT that would otherwise be payable by CEXIM and/or any member of the SPV group on the creation, enforcement, settlement, waiver and/or release of any security – and on the funding arrangements for the SPV group and on the creation, enforcement, waiver and/or release of related security.

The Christie administration released the heads of agreement—which detailed many concessions given to the property—with Baha Mar and the government at the end of April.

PLPs at odds on storm cash from page one

Dr Minnis described the payments to Mr Ash as “shocking.”

On Wednesday, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Works, Colin Higgs, referred this newspaper and its questions about this matter to the director of public works. That person did not return The Tribune’s call. Additionally, Jack Thompson, the permanent secretary in the OPM, also declined to comment on the matter on Tuesday. Prior to his current post, Mr Thompson was the permanent secretary with responsibility for NEMA. He was based in the OPM. A high-level source in the Ministry of Works referred The Tribune yesterday to the OPM since it was Dr Minnis who suggested in the House of As-

sembly that something untoward surrounds Mr Ash’s arrangements. However, up to press time, the Office of the Prime Minister did not respond to Mr Davis’ assertion that technical officers in the Ministry of Works knew about Mr Ash’s capacity to perform the work he did and that he received his contracts following the “usual procedures” of the ministry.

Asked if he was aware of anything related to Mr Ash’s contract when he was minister of works, Mr Davis said no.

“This never came before me,” he said. “The first time I was made aware of this matter was when I heard it in Parliament.

What I’m saying is hurricane relief is a special effort and has a process of its own. In an effort to facilitate and expedite the recovery efforts, Minister

Gibson was appointed specifically for that. My ministry had some technical responsibilities and oversight to ensure value was being given for money. I’m advised that my ministry also would’ve been involved in the selection of contractors.

That would not have come to my attention. None of it would have come to my attention.”

Senator Fred Mitchell interjected and recalled teasing Mr Gibson about his appointment as hurricane czar during a press conference last year.

“You have to find a mechanism to cut through the bureaucracy,” Mr Mitchell said. “That literally was the issue that we were trying to resolve. How quickly can we get this thing up so people would stop complaining about how quickly they could get hurricane relief.”

Value Although he did not know how Mr Ash received his contracts, Mr Davis said during hurricane restoration efforts little bidding takes place because of the urgent need to clean up islands.

“The contractor’s work and ability to perform was, I am advised, well known to the technical officers of the Ministry of Works,” he said.

“The contractor is not, as far as I am aware, connected to the PLP. I am advised the company had the equipment and in an effort to ensure that the hurricane cleanup was done quickly and more effectively, a contractor with the expertise and skills and equipment was awarded the work. That contractor was Ash Enterprises.”

Mr Davis said that some of the money paid to Mr Ash was paid to the subcontractors and suppliers who

assisted him in the clean-up that he supervised.

He did not know how many subcontractors were hired by Mr Ash. But, he said: “I am advised that there was value for money.”

On Tuesday, Dr Minnis said there were 46 transactions made to Mr Ash through several of his companies totalling $7,056,348.24 and revealed that in at least two separate instances, Mr Ash received multiple cheques in one day. He also received $151,000 on May 9, the day before the election.

Dr Minnis said overall, Mr Ash pocketed $8,113,908.24.

He said two of Mr Ash’s companies were not registered with the Registrar General and one was registered only in February.

That the companies were not registered is irrelevant,

Mr Davis said yesterday, adding that Dr Minnis was “grasping at straws.”

“It’s not necessary to have a registered company to do business,” he said.

“It’s necessary to have a business license and to be compliant with taxes. He has those items so he could do business.”

Mr Davis criticised Dr Minnis for bringing private people into political debates.

“I don’t think it’s right for him to get up in Parliament and spew and call people’s name without real allegations being made,” he said.

“If this contract was awarded, $8m was paid, then what next? What are you saying about it? If you’re saying something was wrong then have an investigation, put it in the right hands and then those investigations would reveal insight into what happened.”

MINNIS STEERS CLEAR OF ROW WITH ISAACS from page one

Bahamas Power and Light Ltd for oil remediation.

He challenged Dr Minnis to make the comments outside of Parliament so he could “strike him in his mouth.”

However, when The Tribune contacted him yesterday, Mr Isaacs said he had no further comment on the situation and would not say if he regretted the inflammatory remark.

Facebook was ablaze yesterday with commentary over Mr Isaacs’ apparent threat to the prime minister, with many calls for action from authorities.

In response to this, As-

sistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean told The Tribune the police would only act if the prime minister decided to take action.

Mr Newbold said Dr Minnis was not of the mind to do so.

He said: “The prime minister is not minded to make a comment. The prime minister as he said is busy running the country. He is focused and that is really his primary concern at the moment.

“He has no interest getting into a back-and-forth with ‘Minky’ Isaacs, but he will let whomever else there is deal with him, but he is focused on running the country.”

On Wednesday, Mr

Isaacs told The Tribune that his political affiliation had nothing to do with the contract he was awarded for remediation at the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation, as he labelled Dr Minnis’ criticism of the situation a “witch hunt”.

Mr Isaacs said Bahamians got “plenty” value for money for the contract, adding that his client had not expressed any issues with his work.

Asked to define the parametres of his work, Mr Isaacs did not respond, but said PLP leader Philip Davis was expected to address the matter during a press conference yesterday.

During the afternoon

session of Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Minnis said Mr Isaacs knew as much about oil remediation as he, the prime minister, knows about flying a space shuttle.

While speaking of his discovery of questionable contracts relating to the utility provider, Dr Minnis said there were two separate agreements of concern: one of them for customs brokerage worth $923,707.75 a year to a Fitzgerald—whose first name he did not call— and another to Mr Isaacs worth $1,853,829.56, who was a director of Penta Industrial Services Co Ltd. These contracts were for services to Bahamas Power and Light Ltd, formerly BEC.

For Mr Isaacs’ contract, Dr Minnis said the commencement date was March 27, 2013 and the expiration date for the contract was March 27, 2017.

He said while contracts over $100,000 require bids or requests for proposals (RFPs), no bids were sought for the contracts in question.

Dr Minnis further explained that requests for proposals were sent out and companies sent in their documents but were ignored. He said individuals were subsequently contacted and asked to bring their contract in and they were granted the deals.

On Wednesday, Mr Isaacs said he did not know

when the contract began.

He also insisted that he did bid to be awarded the contract.

The contract was for “the provision of labour and cleaning services for BEC’s premises located at Blue Hills Power Station and Clifton Pier Power Station.”

Remedial work of this kind requires specialised knowledge, Dr Minnis said on Tuesday.

It has been suggested that the customs brokerage contract was awarded to a company owned by Edward Fitzgerald, the father of former Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald.

The former Marathon MP could not be reached for comment yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, June 23, 2017, PAGE 7

Bulgarian’s appeal date set over money laundering

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A BULGARIAN’S appeal against a money laundering conviction will resume next month after a legal argument as to whether he should be made to stand trial again arose yesterday.

Kostadin Karchav, 40, who was released from the Department of Correctional Services in October 2016, returned to New Providence for his scheduled substantive hearing yesterday.

Last November, lawyer Stanley Rolle indicated in Karchav’s absence that his client still wished to pursue his appeal against the conviction that had been filed before his October 30 release from prison.

The Court of Appeal said

it would adjourn the matter to March 6, 2017, for a status hearing to allow Karchav time to formally write the court indicating that he had retained counsel and wished for the appeal to proceed in his absence.

Failure to do so in that timeframe would result in a dismissal of the appeal.

Karchav appeared in the Claughton House courtroom where Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones noted that the Crown respondents appeared to have conceded to the argument raised that the attorney general was wrong in law to move the case to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment.

Karchav and his attorney are relying on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council’s judgment, which upheld the Court of Ap-

peal’s decision to quash the human trafficking convictions of Chavanese Hall.

However, theirs is an issue of contention between the appellant and the Crown as to whether there should be a new trial.

The writ of venire de novo for which the Crown is asking, seeks the appellate court to annul the entire trial process, rather than quash the conviction.

Mr Rolle argued that this was not raised, nor asked for by the Crown in the Hall case, nor at the Privy Council level and that his client was seeking the court not to order a new trial.

Justice Crane-Scott noted that there are case authorities that allow for the order of a writ of venire de novo and she suggested the appellant counsel research and properly respond.

Justice Isaacs said the

ruling in Hall’s case was an insurmountable hurdle for the respondent to overcome but agreed with Justice Crane-Scott that existing jurisdictions have allowed for what the crown requests.

The matter was adjourned to July 6 for further hearing.

The jury in Karchav’s trial heard that he gave an oral confession to the crimes prior to a record of interview that was done in the presence of his then lawyer Roger Gomez II. Sergeant Donovan Martin, of the Central Detective Unit, testified about a conversation with Karchav under caution in the presence of Inspector Deborah Thompson on February 15, 2015.

Karchav allegedly told police he had been in the country since 2014 and was

a part of a credit card group in Bulgaria. It was alleged that he told officers he used his time in The Bahamas to obtain information about the models of the automated teller machines he observed. His accomplices replied with information on credit and debit cards, which he uploaded to gift cards he had brought with him when he travelled to The Bahamas.

He allegedly told a police officer that all of the funds seized by police during his arrest were proceeds from the machines, some of which were deposited to his RBC account. He also stated that he purchased a 2005 Suzuki Swift with some of the funds obtained from the bank.

A record of the interview was held following this conversation later on that afternoon.

Karchav, who elected to remain silent to allegations, called Mr Gomez II as a witness when the latter confirmed to his defence attorney that he sat in on a record of interview, but it was not on Sunday, February 15, 2015.

The lawyer was asked if Karchav had made any complaints when he went to see him. Mr Gomez said his then client’s complaint only concerned the cell and food.

The jury returned 7-2 guilty verdicts on money laundering with respect to the funds found in the RBC account and the purchase of the Suzuki Swift.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on a count concerning an iPhone 6 cellular phone, of which Justice Turner said the accused was discharged.

DUO CLEARED OF 2013 SEX ASSAULT CLAIM

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men have been cleared by a Supreme Court jury of sexual assault allegations concerning an American visitor.

Dino Bethel, and Parron Knowles, both 23, faced a count of unlawful sexual intercourse with the then 15-year-old that allegedly occurred on August 5, 2013.

Both men maintained not guilty pleas when their trial before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs began on June 13.

The complainant, now 19, alleged that she was drugged before she was sexually assaulted by the pair. She told a nine-member jury that she was able to walk back to her hotel after she had escaped her assailants’ car.

She also testified that the men offered her a “pink drink” at Anthony’s Bar and Grill shortly before she started losing conscious-

ness.

Notwithstanding the state of being in and out of consciousness, she saw the men assaulting her, she also said.

The jury heard testimony from a worker at the hotel who said the young woman appeared under the influence before she made the rape claim while the complainant’s mother testified that her child did not appear to be acting her usual self.

No semen was found on vaginal swabs taken from the alleged victim, according to ASP Sheria King of the Royal Bahamas Police Force forensic lab.

Both accused men admitted to socialising with the complainant but denied anything beyond that occurred.

On Wednesday afternoon, the jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts.

Wellington Olander and Jomo Campbell appeared for the accused men.

FORMER Minister of National Security Dr Bernard Nottage.

PROGRESS FOR NOTTAGE IN RECOVERY

FORMER Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage was said to be “making some progress” in his recovery after he was admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) officials said the former minister of national security was “gravely ill” in the Intensive Care Unit at Doctors Hospital.

Last evening, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts maintained that while a potential all clear was still a ways off, Dr Nottage’s condition had improved over the last 24 hours.

Another source familiar with his condition indicated that Dr Nottage appeared to be on the mend, adding that there was some level of responsiveness being exhibited by the former Cabinet

minister.

On Wednesday, scores of family members, friends and former colleagues descended on Doctors Hospital as reports of Dr Nottage’s critical state began to circulate.

There were also false rumours on social media that he had died.

However, those claims were later debunked by a family statement which

clarified his condition and asked for continued privacy.

Dr Nottage, 71, has faced two public health scares this year - appearing ill during a campaign rally last month and becoming disoriented when he addressed the House of Assembly in February.

Dr Nottage was defeated in the 2017 general election by 22-year-old Travis Robinson.

HEALTH OFFICIALS MAKE APPEAL FOR BLOOD DONATIONS

By DANIELLE BARNES

A BULGARIAN’S appeal against a money laundering conviction will resume next month after a legal argument as to whether he should be made to stand trial again arose yesterday.

Kostadin Karchav, 40, who was released from the Department of Correctional Services in October 2016, returned to New Providence for his scheduled substantive hearing yesterday.

Last November, lawyer Stanley Rolle indicated in Karchav’s absence that his client still wished to pursue his appeal against the conviction that had been filed before his October 30 release from prison.

The Court of Appeal said it would adjourn the matter to March 6, 2017 for

a status hearing to allow Karchav time to formally write the court indicating that he had retained counsel and wished for the appeal to proceed in his absence.

Failure to do so in that timeframe would result in a dismissal of the appeal.

Karchav appeared in the Claughton House courtroom where Justices Jon Isaacs, Stella Crane-Scott and Roy Jones noted that the Crown respondents appeared to have conceded to the argument raised that the attorney general was wrong in law to move the case to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment.

Karchav and his attorney are relying on the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council’s judgment, which upheld the Court of Appeal’s decision to quash

the human trafficking convictions of Chavanese Hall.

However, theirs is an issue of contention between the appellant and the Crown as to whether there should be a new trial.

The writ of venire de novo for which the Crown is asking, seeks the appellate court to annul the entire trial process, rather than quash the conviction.

Mr Rolle argued that this was not raised, nor asked for by the Crown in the Hall case, nor at the Privy Council level and that his client was seeking the court not to order a new trial.

Justice Crane-Scott noted that there are case authorities that allow for the order of a writ of venire de novo and she suggested the appellant counsel research and properly respond.

Justice Isaacs said the

Classic + COOL

ruling in Hall’s case was an insurmountable hurdle for the respondent to overcome but agreed with Justice Crane-Scott that existing jurisdictions have allowed for what the crown requests.

The matter was adjourned to July 6 for further hearing.

The jury in Karchav’s trial heard that he gave an oral confession to the crimes prior to a record of interview that was done in the presence of his then lawyer Roger Gomez II. Sergeant Donovan Martin, of the Central Detective Unit, testified about a conversation with Karchav under caution in the presence of Inspector Deborah Thompson on February 15, 2015.

Karchav allegedly told police he had been in the country since 2014 and was a part of a credit card

group in Bulgaria. It was alleged that he told officers he used his time in the Bahamas to obtain information about the models of the automated teller machines he observed.

His accomplices replied with information on credit and debit cards, which he uploaded to gift cards he had brought with him when he travelled to The Bahamas.

He allegedly told a police officer that all of the funds seized by police during his arrest were proceeds from the machines, some of which were deposited to his RBC account. He also stated that he purchased a 2005 Suzuki Swift with some of the funds obtained from the bank.

A record of the interview was held following this conversation later on that afternoon.

Karchav, who elected to remain silent to allegations, called Mr Gomez II as a witness when the latter confirmed to his defence attorney that he sat in on a record of interview, but it was not on Sunday, February 15, 2015.

The lawyer was asked if Karchav had made any complaints when he went to see him. Mr Gomez said his then client’s complaint only concerned the cell and food.

The jury returned 7-2 guilty verdicts on money laundering with respect to the funds found in the RBC account and the purchase of the Suzuki Swift.

The jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict on a count concerning an iPhone 6 cellular phone, of which Justice Turner said the accused was discharged.

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PAGE 8, Friday, June 23, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

HOMES in the South Beach area were badly damaged as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Cash for Ash scandal really takes some beating M

Y what a difference a week makes!

Last week, I took one final comical glance at my favourite political muse, and the comedy of errors, that’s was his political career.

Of course I’m referring to former MICAL MP V. Alfred Gray, and in this instance, his ill advised, dim witted, pre-election wheeling and dealing. (Hysterically none of Gray’s plots came to fruition.)

I intended for it to be just that, one final comedic wave bye bye, to perhaps the worst administration in the history of this country.

Period!

Entering this week, I was focused on being an objective voice of opposition, where needs be, to our present administration.

(Nothing personal, just the relentless pursuit for consistent good governance, from all sides of the political divide).

1. Because the FNM, seems like they are willing to listen to creative input and innovative ideas put

forward from ‘Joe Public’ in order to create positive change in the nation, both short and long term.

2. Despite my campaign commentary which some may say favoured the Free National Movement, I remain apolitical, quite comfy in my ‘activist’ skin, prepared to carry the present administration to task, if only to ensure they remain transparent and accountable in their affairs. Also that they are beholden to fulfilling their campaign promises as best they can.

Again, all in an effort to further create positive change in our nation.

3. On top of that, if you take a look at the Parliamentary Channel, you will become painfully aware PM Minnis and the FNM have zero opposition!

Last week, I had issue with the list of VAT exempt items, and so did the rest of the reading populous here in The Bahamas, regardless of political affiliation.

Additionally, I had issues with some other decisions made by the FNM government thus far, that had me shaking my head, and that I wanted to address.

Unfortunately, I had to put them on the back burner for now, because even though we are trying to move forward as a nation, taking positive calculated steps, I’m convinced we will be reminded for a very long time of the corruption and misfeasance of the past administration.

Daily it’s becoming obvious that a very intricate deceptive web was woven by the entire Christie admin-

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istration.

Many interesting layers to that rotten onion.

Obviously trying to appease the nation, after hearing their dissatisfaction with some of his party’s decisions, PM Minnis came out swinging like ‘Apollo Creed’ to open the week, pulling files along with his Cabinet Ministers, revealing the sordid details of numerous corrupt underhanded dealings, by the former government.

Minnis and the FNM checked off campaign promises left and right, this past week, all while releasing the information the public has been salivating for.

(Attention PM Minnis, that’s why we need a proper FOIA in place so the nation knows ‘what’s really gern on’ ) Minnis threw and landed four big haymakers, 1. BahaMar deal unsealed, shows deals done on leases.

2. Huge consultancy contracts in MOT revealed, to the tune of millions.

In addition to the ‘Fyre Festival’ fiasco.

3. Questionable $2M contract awarded.

4. Vendor received $8M storm cleanup cash.

Number 4 on the list takes the cake thus far.

According to an article

in The Tribune by Khrisna Virgil: In a riveting contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly, the prime minister said upon his review of payments made to various vendors, he was “astonished” by the payouts made to Jonathan Ash. There were 46 transactions made to this vendor through several of his companies, Dr Minnis said, as he revealed that in at least two separate instances, Mr Ash received multiple cheques in one day. He also received $151,000 on May 9, just one day before the election.

“This one vendor received 46 payment transactions totaling $7,056,348.24. You want me say the vendor’s name?

Jonathan Ash. His request for payment was submitted through the Ministry of Works and the National Recovery Unit.”

But wait, there’s more, Minnis added this nugget as well: “There are many questionable payments, but the payment to Ash Enterprises is shocking. Contracts were awarded to Mr Ash on behalf of Heavy Truck Line Services Ltd, Earthmovers Incorporated Company and Industrial and Heavy Duty Equipment Company.

“I note that Earthmov-

ers is not registered with the registrar, Industrial and Heavy Duty Equipment Company is not registered with the Bahamas Registrar General’s Office and Heavy Truck Line Services was registered in February of this year.

February of this year?

Didn’t the hurricane hit ... never mind!!

I see what happened here. In a nutshell a political crony “cleaned up” off hurricane clean-up, leaving the public treasury in “Ash’s”.

I’m amazed at the fact that four cheques for such huge amounts were prepared so efficiently and expedited so thoroughly all in one day, within hours of each other.

By a government office no less!! Somebody call ‘GUINNESS BOOK’ right away. That has to be a record by our standards.

Until next week I’m off, I’ve got one eye on the NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball is already a Laker, who do we select with the 27th and 28th picks respectively, and the other on ‘Minky’ Issacs who’s stalking the PM, threatening to ‘punch him in the mouth’ if he sees him in public!!

Awesome, our political discourse just turned into the WWE. Time for more popcorn and Jack Daniels.

PAGE 14, Friday, June 23, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Adastra Gardens Adastra Gardens. - Ardastra, like many other properties in Nassau, suffered extensive damage to our vegetation from Hurricane Matthew last year.

Fallen trees compromised some of our animal habitats.

On Sunday, visitors are invited to join in a Family Game Night Fundraiser for the Lory Parrot Aviary Building Fund.

Bring the entire family out for some good oldfashioned, wholesome and interactive entertainment that children and adults will enjoy! Compete against other families to win the grand prize of four day passes to Aquaventure!

Admission is $20 for member teams and $30 for non-member teams. Teams consist of a maximum of five persons but others are welcome to join us for a small fee of $5 per spectator/cheerleader. Snacks and beverages will be on sale.

Pre-register your team at events@ardastra.com.

Brownies and Guides Brownies. - On Saturday, June 17, 15 Brownies and two leaders of Rock Sound Primary School made their promise at the enrolment ceremony held at the Church of God. In the presence of their parents, principal Natalie Sweeting and Audrey Culmer,

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 447-3565.

MEMBERS of the Rock Sound Primary School Brownies at the enrolment ceremony.

District Commissioner, looked forward to seeing the girls promised to do their promise and motto in their “duty to God, serve action around the school.

Teachers, parents and their country and community, help other people , and leaders wishing to learn keep the Brownie-Guide more about The BahaLaw”. They further told the mas Girl Guides Associagathering that the Brown- tion are invited to the 6th ies have two laws: Brown- National Assembly to be ies think of others beside held on June 23 and 24 at themselves; and do a good the Sybil Blyden Centre on turn every day, especially at Dolphin Drive. The opening ceremony will be at home.

Mrs Culmer was par- 7:30pm. The public is inticularly pleased to wel- vited to attend. come the Brownies at Rock Sound Primary, as they Brownies and represented a return to the Guides Eleuthera Guide District, after an absence of 20 years. She encouraged the Kiwanis Club of Nassau Brownies to be good examples in exhibiting appropri- AM. - On Thursday, June ate behaviour, doing good 15, KCNAM concluded the turns and taking care of the BUG (Bring Up Grades) environment. Gigi Morley programme at Palmdale and Gardica Sands were Primary School.

Students enjoyed a pizza specially thanked for volunteering their services to be- party to celebrate their come leaders. Mrs Culmer milestone and participachallenged them to ensure tion in the programme, they that opportunities were were also rewarded for their during provided for the Brownies accomplishments to practice leadership skills this final semester.

We wish to encourage all ,give service and earn instudents to continue with terest badges.

The principal thanked the enthusiasm displayed the leaders and offered her during this programme for support to the group. She the rest of their educational YOUNGSTERS at the pizza party at Palmdale Primary School. told the Brownies that she journey.

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