“Munroe wants FNM’s probed – Lawyer compiling list of names to send to the police” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Attorney Wayne Munroe said yesterday he is compiling a list of alleged ‘questionable conduct’ by members of the Free National Movement (FNM), which he said he will present to the new Anti-Corruption Unit.

‘I think what needs to happen, and I am beginning to do it, is to compile a list of all the questionable conduct that has been alleged over time against any existing or former politician, be it someone in the present FNM government or retired, and send it to the police and see if they are evenhanded in investigating, arresting, detaining and questioning those persons,’  Munroe said.

‘The police have established what the threshold for arrest is and the threshold for charge is.’

‘I suspect that if they are going to show that they are being even-handed, that those will be investigated in the same manner as these other ones.”

So far, Munroe said he has compiled a list of six names.  He said he expects the list to grow.

I will offer them information in writing to the new corruption unit, which I will deliver with a delivery receipt, and I will sit and wait and see what happens with the investigations,’ he said.

Munroe says he intends to finish his research by the weekend.”

My Morning Paper questions the motives of Mr. Munroe because his motives and actions tend to imply that he questions the work being done by the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit but then he has this right but it is really foolish, in my opinion, for Mr. Munroe to suggest that the recent arrests of former members of parliament of the previous Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government have been drive by anything more than complaints from private citizens to the police an being investigated by the anti-corruption unit. 

When Mr. Munroe delivers his packet to the police with it be accompanied with the necessary affidavits containing statement and evidence from ‘others’ verifying that the allegations that they present/contain for intend factual or is Mr. Munroe expecting the police to just take his word for it?

What is Mr. Munroe’s motive here?  To put in a list of names and if not supported with the necessary documentation, then label the on-going investigations and pending court trials as another more that a ‘with-hunt’ to hurt the reputation of former PLP member of parliaments?

I personally have no problem with Mr. Munroe putting for a list of names with the necessary supporting information to warrant them being investigated but to only putting forth a list of names without the supporting documentation is only meant to either ‘stir the pot’ and give the opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) the perceived leverage to claim that the investigation are being handles in an  evenhanded manner or even a blatant attempt to intimidate the Free National Movement (FNM) into stopping it’s investigations all together, which is stupid because the investigation are being carried out by the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and this is not the proper way to conduct serious business such as serious as this but exactly what I feel that Mr. Wayne Munroe QC is going to do, he can always prove me wrong.

END

As the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit carries out its business of investigating allegations of wrong-doing by members of the previous government, the Leader of the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), the Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, suggests that if he and his party were to win the next general election, their business would be about pay-back.

“PLP promises payback – Davis says day of reckoning is coming for abuses” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis has written Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis alleging abuse in relation to recent arrests of former parliamentarians, and warning that where such abuses of power occur, the offending parties, be they police or politicians, need to understand that there will come a day of reckoning for them as well.

‘What goes around comes around,’ Davis wrote.

‘And let me hasten to add that, this is not a threat.  It is instead an immutable law of the moral universe, one that is sometimes expressed in these words: ‘When you set out to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two.’

‘Those who are committing these abuses should therefore understand they cannot do so with impunity. To use your (the PM’s) own words: ‘Where you do wrong and abuse your position there will be consequences.’

Davis also wrote that where an investigation into alleged misconduct of ministers or MP’s is indeed justifiable, it is of first importance that the investigation be conducted by the police in manner that is completely free of political contamination.”

First, I would like to correct Mr. Davis on his reference of ‘grave digging’; the saying goes, “As you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves’ – Confucius.   I feel that it is very important that he gets this correct because it would be wise for the Opposition Leader to pay close attention to it as he now promises ‘payback’ and also he must outline these abuses that he refers to and show where these investigations may not be considered by him and others as ‘justifiable’.

As far as My Morning Paper was aware the investigations have been carried out “by police in manner that is completely free of political contamination”, Mr. Davis seems to be a bit confused as to what is going on here and he seems to be blinded by vengeance for his colleagues.

Mr. Davis, first question I would like to ask you is why is doing what is right being considered an abuse of power.  Of course the irony of it all is that as Mr. Davis ‘warns’ the prime minister that “where such abuses of power occur, the offending parties, be they police or politicians, need to understand that there will come a day of reckoning for them as well”, and this is exactly what is occurring at this time; the “day of reckoning” has come for “abuses of power” by the former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government.

Indeed, a day of reckoning is coming for each and every one of us, but as it pertains to the recent arrests of the former parliamentarians under allegations of abuse of public office by virtue of their positions; I would hope that this is a turning point for us as a society/country and that each and every elected official is held to these standards and no matter the side of the political fence, I hope that moving forward we would hold each and every one accountable for whatever

A mere days after being advised by his very own political party colleagues that he needs to remain quiet, some recommending that he needs to resign or be fired immediately as the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) with former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Cabinet Minister, Loftus Roker responding to former PLP MP Philip Galanis’ observations of “..the leadership of the PLP should call for Roberts’ immediate resignation and adding “The party needs to start from starch.

‘We’ve lost our way.  I agree with Mr. Galanis on his observations of Bradley Roberts.

‘I’m not sure he is doing anything to advance the party’; Mr. Bradley Roberts seems to be at it yet again.

“Roberts: ‘Rise up’ against evil of the FNM” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts last night called on supporters to ‘rise up and challenge’ the Minnis administration and take to the “streets, march and demonstrate”.

“I am a strong supporter of law and order but strongly feel that if the witch hunt in not discontinued that we, the supporters of our great party, must rise up and registers our disgust,’ he told supporters at a National General Council meeting.

‘We must take to the streets, march and demonstrate.  We must engage in a letter writing campaign not only to local newspapers editors, but to the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights.

‘Political activism is the most potent form of opposition to bring about change and to put a stop to evil.”

Exactly what is this evil that Mr. Roberts is referring to and to this point, whose human rights has been violated?

The ‘evil’ of investigating persons for allegations of wrongdoing and abuse of public office and holding these persons accountable?

Mr. Roberts, while advocating for civil discourse for ‘evils’ that he seems unable to articulate,  Mr. Roberts claims to be a strong supporter of law and order but has never questioned any malfeasances, clear violation of law and order which occurred during the past Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration.  Usually, the good chairman stood to attempt to justify it or deflect away from it, and often chastised those that spoke up/out against the perceived wrongdoings of the last Christie administration, making his statement of believing in law and order hypocritical and duplicitous.

What I would advise of the good chairman, as long as he is chairman, that he should actually find some ‘evil’ that has been perpetrated by the current Minnis administration on which to base your call for social discourse, thereby making it legitimate, because without that, your actions are nothing more than that of a reckless person.

END

“Corruption squad quiz PLP veteran – Frank Smith held overnight in loans probe” – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “FORMER Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Senator and member of Parliament Frank Smith was taken into police custody and questioned yesterday in connection with an ongoing fraud probe, The Tribune understands.

Attorney Damien Gomez, who said he is representing Mr. Smith, confirmed the former Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) chairman voluntarily went to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) about 10am Wednesday morning for questioning.

Mr. Gomez, who is also the PLP’s former minister for legal affairs, said Mr. Smith will be held overnight.

In an interview with the press, Mr. Gomez said he is confident that his client will ‘prevail’ in the end.

‘The questions appear superficially to relate to government, they really concern private loans that persons who probably don’t want to pay their lawful debts are now hiding behind a scam.  There is no allegation of bribery and I have no concerns about his innocence,’ Mr. Gomez said outside of CDU.

‘I am confident he will prevail in this……Of course we are concerned that political abuse of power is behind this and will deal with that at the appropriate time.”

My Morning Paper’s very first question is, ‘what private loans’ and what ‘scam’?

It is interesting that Attorney Damien Gomez is representing Mr. Frank Smith against allegations of wrong doing while Smith was a Senator in the Christie administration, after resigning his position from the Christie Cabinet as minister of legal affairs claiming ‘financial considerations’ but leaving many to speculate that it was actually due to a “crisis of conscience”, but be that as it may be he has taken the case on. 

In my opinion, if the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) wishes to call this a ‘political witch hunt’, then I am fine with that.

 It is also my opinion that if the results of on-going forensic audits bring about the necessary investigations that seek to bring people to answer for perceived and/or actual wrong-doings while in positions of governance, thereby setting a tone for a more accountable governmental system moving forward, then I am also fine with that but what I do find very troubling is the fact that as evidence of alleged wrong-doing is uncovered, investigated and persons are brought in to clear up the circumstances surrounding these alleged wrong-doings, the governing Free National Movement (FNM) is now being chastised as abusing their political power; I ask is it not more an abuse of political power to use that power to engage in wrong-doing, a lot of the time at the expense of the Bahamian people?

It is unfortunate that such young and promising political minds may be wasted, as the previous government seemed to have allowed them to do whatever they pleased without fear of consequence, but it is clear that those days have passed as the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit has taken over these cases of alleged malfeasances and are doing the necessary investigations to determine guilt or innocence; so for anyone to label the exercise as “a political abuse of power” or a ”witch hunt”, is for that person to not be very honest, not just with the country but also with themselves.

END

“Minnis denies ‘witch hunt’ – ‘We are in the business of transparency” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday shut down criticisms that his administration as executing a ‘witch hunt’, as he explained that his government is simply fulfilling one of the Free National Movement (FNM) main campaign promises to push ‘accountability and transparency’ in The Bahamas.

During a tour of the LJM Maritime Academy at the Crystal Cay Marian Park on Monday afternoon, Minnis told the media, ‘We don’t witch hunt’.

‘If you do wrong and are discovered, then ask the public if that is [a] witch hunt.’

‘If you’re discovered doing wrong, then so be it.’

‘That’s what they asked us to do.”

I already see what the very first problem that anyone on side opposite would have with this and that is that is fulfilling a campaign promise; something that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as a government seemed to frown upon.

Indeed; this is what was requested of each and every government, to be open, transparent and accountable but it would appear that some persons are actually offended by this being requested of them, as they seem to feel that they should not be accountable or responsible for any wrong-doing that occurred under their tenure.

It is actually a shame that Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has to address this issue, as there are persons calling a request of openness and accountability of themselves a ‘witch hunt’; the only persons who would claim that the Free National Movement is on a ‘with hunt’, as it changes the course of governance in The Bahamas from ‘business as usual’ and ‘every buck up goes’, would be those that do not believe in transparency and openness in governance

Yes, the course of governance has changed and as Desmond Bannister, Free National Movement (FNM) Member of Parliament for Carmichael says, there must be consequences.

So I guess the message by the prime minister was necessary after all, to let people know that ‘those days’ are over and they are quite welcome to carry that type of behavior elsewhere.

END

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” – Edmund

“Bannister” There must be consequences” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister said yesterday that the Minnis administration is not interested in blaming members of the Christie administration for every ill facing the country, but said ‘there must consequences’ for wrong doing.’

‘We are not interested in the blame game, but there must be consequences,’ he said.

‘The Bahamian people want to see consequences for actions if something happened that is wrong, it is important first of all, for us to share with the people.  They want to know.

“They want to know if somebody was sitting in elected office for years and accepting kickback.’

‘They want to know that’

‘Then the second step comes in: they want to know what we are going to do about that.”

In My morning Paper’s opinion, what a lot of people want to know is that while you served in public office, you did all that was in your power to fulfill your promises bring about legislature that bettered the lives of the citizens and bettered the country at large and did not act in a self-serving manner; enriching yourself at their expense – actions such as these in the public’s eyes deserves dire consequences.

We must turn the corner, so to speak, as it relates to accountability, and actually walk the road no matter how rough it may be – there must be consequences.

It has been alleged that the former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government, who claim that the present government is on a ‘witch hunt’ as it seeks to bring about accountability, did just this, in that that they enriched themselves at the expense of the public whom they served and the public believes that if after the proper investigations are carried out, and if there are any findings of wrong doing on behalf of any public official past or present, that consequences should follow but of course the interim Leader of the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) would hope to convince the public otherwise; while seeming to oppose accountability; “Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis said last week that the PLP is not a corrupt party.’

We do not support corruption in any form,’ he said in a message to PLP supporters.

‘The events now before us are designed to sap the will of the PLP and destroy the party.”

So, essentially, the call for accountability and action of bringing about the necessary consequences is only a ‘with hunt’, ‘designed to sap the will of the PLP and destroy the party’; is this the spin that the interim leader of the opposition wishes to bring about the action of bringing accountability to the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, then so be it but it seems to speak to a conscience that is not clear.

The truth of the matter a corner is being turned that impacts on the future course of the country and if the Progressive Liberal Party thinks that is all about them, because it affects all political organizations, then a rock must have been thrown.

END

The past week has been an interesting one with the arrest of former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Member of Parliament and former minister for the environment and housing, Kenred Dorsett on charges of bribery and extortion.  During the very same week we found that there were no charges being filed against former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Member of Parliament and former Chairman of the Bahamas Industrial and Agricultural Corporation, Dion Smith, for suspicion of thief from the corporation and with this revelation Progressive Liberal Party ‘mouth-piece’, Wayne Munroe QC went into action labeling the subsequent arrest a ‘witch-hunt’; a  phrase being re-hashed by the Progressive Liberal Party, still short on ideas, as it attempts to re-energize its base, which all about abandoned them during the 2012 general election.

“Munroe: Smith should be compensated for arrest” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “Attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, said yesterday, that the government should compensate former Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) Chairman Dion Smith and the eight BAIC employees after it was revealed that no evidence of wrong doing was found in the thief probe at BAIC.

Police have said they were investigating a report of thief of electronic items on the night of the May 10^th general election, Smith was arrested, held overnight and released the next day.

Eight BIAC employees were also questioned and released.

Munroe represented Smith and those eight employees.

‘The government should stop doing foolishness,’ Munroe charged yesterday in an interview with The Nassau Guardian.”

My Morning Paper’s first question is if the police has released a statement informing the public that they “were investigating a report of a thief of electronic items…..” how does Wayne Munroe QC make the leap to ,”The government should stop doing foolishness”? Unless he [Mr. Munroe] wishes to imply that on the night of the general election, the Free National Movement (FNM), already assured that it had won the government had already taken full control of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and instructed them [the RBPF] to target and arrest BAIC Chairman Smith along with others – if this is the case I would say, wow; what a crystal ball!

But of course Mr. Munroe QC does not offer any legal reason as to why the government should compensate Mr. Smith and the eight others, beside to say; “They [the government] should give him [Dion Smith] some money and not just him, the other eight people who they embarrassed.”  Mr. Munroe is reaching a new low as he attempts to defend the questionable actions of Mr. Smith in this case and I would put it to him; Mr. Munroe, if you are really serious at all then why not present a legal argument to the courts and sue the government; whom you blame for the embarrassment of Smith and the eight others,  for the compensation of Mr. Dion Smith, along with others” , because without action and only talk it is all for naught and only goes to advance the political and professional career of Mr. Munroe QC and his original argument within itself makes no sense, as it does not seem to be based on any logical argument.

My Morning Paper asks why would compensation even be necessary if the police ‘acting on intelligence’ arrested Mr. Dion Smith along with others? They followed the evidence and it eventually exonerated Mr. Smith along with others, an apology was extended, in my opinion this is all that is required.  So while Mr. Munroe QC attempts to attack the government for ‘doing foolishness’, he is actually calling the police force incompetent and also implying that they [the police] were acing at the direction of the Free National Movement party, when they were not the government and unable to issue such a ‘secret police/Nazi Germany police’ directive.

Mr. Munroe QC has yet to make the viable link between the government and this arrest, we await his legal argument and subsequent connection.

END

Undoubtedly the arrest of former member of parliament, Kenred Dorsett, will be termed as part of a political ‘witch hunt’ by the Opposition Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) nut is it not really more a painful change of course that the country must take to once again be seen as a viable country to do business and to just be seen as an ‘honest’ and ‘safe’ place again?

Charged: Dorsett faces nine charges

• Four counts extortion and bribery
• Misconduct in public office
• Offences ‘netted him $120,00’ – The Tribune

Excerpt from this article; “FORMER Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett appeared in Magistrates court yesterday accused of using his former ministerial position to extort and solicit $120,000 in bribes from Johnathan Ash.”

Former minister Kenred Dorsett is a friend of mine and although we stand on the opposite side of the political divide, I was taken aback by news of his arrest and somewhat troubled by it but the way that it has been handled to date by the leader of the opposition only seems to be making matter worst.

While Opposition Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis attempts convince the public and attempts to rally the PLP base with talks of there being no corruption within that political organization; most look at the party as a political organization plagued with controversy and corruption and with controversies of corruption from they took office after their May 7^th 2012 election victory – a main reason as to why they were soundly defeated in May 2017, being only able to win four of the 39 seats being contested. 

There should be no reasonable way for the leader of the opposition to now truthfully claim that the party has not seen its fair share of corruption and then go on to deny the fact that the country, as a whole, has not suffered because of it.

“Davis: No corruption, this is pure vengeances” – The Tribune

Except from this article; “INTERIM Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis defended his party yesterday, saying it is not a ‘corrupt party’ and does not support corrupt practices.’

In a statement released Thursday, Mr. Davis called on party supporter to remain strong in face of what he sees as attacks on the PLP.”

It is clear that either Mr. Davis is attempting to deceive or is just plain delusional but if he claims that the political organization in not corrupt then he must surely admit to there being a perception of corruption; this perception causing the party to be scrutinized and subsequently having several of its members investigated and arrested, with one being made to answer charges of bribery and extortion.

As National Security Minister Marvin Dames ‘dismisses assertions from the PLP of a government-led witch hunt against members of the former Christie administration, members of the Progressive Liberal Party, from its interim leader straight down to it supporters must realize that there is a change of course taking place and for some it will be a ‘painful’ process but it is the only way to get the country back on track and I expect the same to be asked of members of the Free National Movement (FNM) members of parliament who would think that the laws of the land do not apply to them, as members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) once thought and still seem to  think.

The law will take its course with Kenred Dorsett as it did with former PLP member of parliament Dion Smith  but we must never again stand aside idly, able or plain unwilling to punish corrupt elected official and as Prime Minister Hubert Minnis has been known to say; “Let the chips fall where they may.”

END

As the Bahamas faces another possible economic downgrade, it would seem that the only problem that the previous administrations would have with it is that the governing party told the Bahamian people and thereby the world at large about the possible dire economic straits that The Bahamas faces.  Apparently, it would have been more prudent for them to ‘bluff’ their ways through it all, as did those before them – and we all saw how well that worked for the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government, under whom the country suffered four economic downgrades, despite assuring the country that ‘everything was good’ and ‘about to get better’.

“Downgrade threatened – Moody’s put Bahamas credit rating under review” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt from this article; “International ratings agency Moody’s has placed The Bahamas’ Baa3 credit rating on review for downgrade.

Moody’s said the review was prompted by statements from the Minnis administration, that The Bahamas’ fiscal position was weaker than previously estimated and that the government’s debt ratios will continue to worsen over the coming years’.

‘This diverged from Moody’s expectation that the government’s debt ratios would stabilize in fiscal 2017, thus supporting The Bahamas’ Baa3 rating and stable outlook,’ the ratings agency said in a statement.

‘Moody’s review will focus on evaluating the credit risks posed by ongoing economic and fiscal challenges, taking into consideration the recent revelations of fiscal deterioration as well as the new government’s proposal to arrest this deterioration.”

It seems that the only way for the present government to avoid a downgrade would be to present a viable proposal (plan), that shows that it indeed has a plan to slow and reverse the deterioration brought on by the previous Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government but what does the former administration have to say about a possible economic downgrade?

“Davis blame FNM for downgrade threat” – The Nassau Guardian, July 11 2017

Excerpt from this article; “Opposition leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday it is ‘troubling’ that international credit rating agency Moody’s has placed the Bahamas’ Baa3 credit rating on review for downgrade.

‘It is troubling because it confirms what my shadow minister for finance was saying, Chester Cooper, that he budget communication was the wrong speech at the wrong time,’ Davis said.

Moody’s said the review was promoted by statements from the Minnis administration, ‘that The Bahamas’ fiscal position was weaker than previously estimated and that the government’ debt ratios will continue to worsen over the coming years.’

‘It is rather troubling, because I look at the reason proffered by them when they downgraded us last year,’ Davis said.

‘The reasons seem to be grounded on two issues: One was the opening of Baha Mar, which they had little confidence would happen, and then secondly they recognized that Hurricane Matthew interrupted the economy in such a way that our recovery efforts plus the loss of revenue inspired them to downgrade us.

‘It is troubling that all of the issues raised form the downgrade last year have been, in my view, resolved and they are still foreshadowing a future downgrade.”

So wait, how did the Minnis administration cause this threat of a downgrade again?

By stating the facts as to how the previous administration left the economy of the country and why didn’t the debt ratio begin to stabilize under the Christie administration?

What is troubling is that the Leader of the Opposition, Philip Brave Davis, in all of his zeal to bash the current government that seeks to get out in front of this situation, seems to want to divert us from the road that his government took  to get us to this point in the first place.  While he points to the reasons for the last series of downgrades by Moody’s, he fails to mention the three previous downgrades by Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s (S&P) and what brought those about.

Then, Chester Cooper, whom Davis praises for being right about Prime Minister Minnis’ speech, this morning advises the Minnis administration to ‘hold off on borrowing an anticipated $320 million-plus for deficit and spending this fiscal year and formulate a strategy to get the economy growing again, rather than engage in risky ‘optics’ and blame casting’’, goes on to criticize the prime minister for the ‘reckless statement’ concerning the economy, I ask this ‘new’ economic czar where was he as the country was downgraded four times under the Progressive Liberal Party government and why did he do nothing as reckless actions were being taken by the former Progressive Liberal Party that undoubtedly brought us to the fiscal cliff that he are balancing at present?

The Progressive Liberal continues to fails for one reason, it is their nature.

END

I wonder if the thief probe at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) is still being considered a case of victimization as it is turned over to the new Anti-Corruption Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for investigation.

“Reasons for Smiths arrest questioned’ – The Nassau Guardian – May 20, 2017

Excerpt from this article; “Inappropriateness doe not amount to criminality, said Leader of the Opposition Philip ‘Brave’ Davis in reference to the arrest of former Nassau Village MP and Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) Dion Smith.

Smith was taken into police custody on Thursday [18^th May 2017] for questioning over an alleged thief at the corporation.

Eight employees were taken into questioning this week over several electronic items, including televisions and computers, were allegedly stolen on the night of the general election.

These employees have since been released pending further investigation.”

First, allow me to say that I agree with leader of the opposition Philip ‘Brave’ Davis when he says; “Inappropriateness does not amount to criminality..” but at the same time it does not amount to the lack thereof either and as of such investigations are necessary.

“BAIC case now corruption probe – Ingraham: Optics of Smith’s arrest unfortunate.” – The Nassau Guardian

Excerpt form this article; “The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) thief probe that led to the arrest and release of former BAIC Chairman Dion Smith shortly after the general election in May has been forwarded to the new Anti-Corruption Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for wider investigation, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade revealed recently that the unit was investigating 11 cases from various government departments and public corporations, but did not say which specific cases were being looked at.

When they arrested Smith, police said the probe involved the theft of electronic items on the night of the election.

No charges were brought against anyone.”

It would appear that a lot have already concluded that the explanation as to why he [Dion Smith] and others were seen removing electronics items from his office at BAIC is plausible and that is, “According to Smith’s attorney, Wayne Munroe, the former MP decided to watch the results of the election at the BAIC last Wednesday [10^th May 2017] and brought speakers and [a] personal television to the corporation.

Smith said several employees packed these and other personal belongings after Smith learned he had lost his bid for office, according to Munroe.” 

But according to attorney Wayne Munroe, stricken with arrogance and with the assurance that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) would retain governance of the country, former member of parliament and chairman of the BAIC, Dion Smith, decided to create a ‘Super bowl’ atmosphere at this BAIC; to the point of bringing in a large screen television and speakers but are now claiming foul after being stopped by the authorities that have been known to watch government buildings on election nights for suspicions activity, such as vandalism or items being ‘carted away’.

Whatever became of watching the election results at your headquarters with your campaign workers and supporters and constituents?

As former Prime Minnis Hubert A. Ingraham says “…the optics surrounding Smith’s arrest was ‘unfortunate’ and ‘not supportive of good governance’, who knows what the former prime minister meant by this.  He could be chastising the Minnis administration for not allowing the matter to ‘go away’ or he could have been attempting to say that Dion Smith should have known better and therefore should be willing to deal with the outcome but in any event we will have to await the outcome of the investigation of the Anti Corruption Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The Progressive Liberal continues to fail for one reason, it is their nature.

END