By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement MP Hubert Chipman expressed concern yesterday about allegations that some members of the party have been intimately involved with Save the Bays in its alleged efforts to “destabilise the government” using money received from foreigners.
He also raised worries about the country’s political system more widely and the influence of foreign money on it.
He questioned whether billionaire Louis Bacon and his Lyford Cay neighbour, fashion mogul Peter Nygard, are serving worthwhile functions in the country.
Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, during his contribution to the mid-term budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday, alleged he has evidence showing deep involvement of FNM Chairman Michael Pintard and other FNMs with Save the Bays (STB), an environmental advocacy group connected to Mr Bacon.
Last week, four STB directors - Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and Mr Bacon - along with Reverend CB Moss filed a 400-page affidavit in the Supreme Court alleging that Mr Nygard was behind a murder for hire conspiracy against those who oppose the expansion of his home, Nygard Cay.
In secret videos accompanying the affidavit, Mr Nygard is heard alleging that he was promised a Crown land lease by the government and that he gave $5million to the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).
Mr Chipman said the entire issue is reminiscent of when the Bahamas was dubbed a “nation for sale” in a report in a 1984 article in The Miami Herald.
“I’m in total shock as to what these organisations were supposed to be, as far as Save the Bays is concerned,” Mr Chipman said.
“I’m not aware. I do not know. I’ve never met Mr Bacon, never met Mr Nygard. I don’t know these people. As far as Fred Smith and Save the Bays, I know he was a part of Save the Bays.
“ I did not know the other players until they were mentioned in the House of Assembly today. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s difficult for me to comment on any of this until I have all the facts.
“I listened with interest and suppose we as a party will have to meet and consider our next steps. To be honest with you, when I really look at it, I don’t like what I’m hearing, that politics in this country is being influenced by foreigners, particularly when it comes to Mr Nygard or Mr Bacon. What we need to get a hold of is, right now, there is no law against contributions to the various political parties. It may be that we have to reform our campaign contributions and finances and only then we will be able to get control of it.
“As far as what’s transpiring now in the international market, it’s not pretty and we’ve taken a step back as far I’m concerned, going back to the days of the early ‘80s and what happened with the drug situation and I sat back yesterday and said ‘here we go again.’ This is not going to just go away. I think we as a people, be it the PLP, the FNM, even the DNA (Democratic National Alliance), have to say enough is enough. You have two billionaires fighting. What role do they play in the Bahamas? They are visitors to the Bahamas. There’s a saying, when two elephants fighting, only the ground suffers. And you know who the ground is in this scenario? The Bahamas. We got to get our act together.”
The FNM chairman was named in the 400-page affidavit by Florida investigator John Joseph DiPaolo, who alleged Mr Nygard paid “gang members” Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma to stage several hate rallies and commit such criminal acts as arson and harassment. According to the document, Mr Pintard reportedly uncovered the alleged plot after meetings with the two men, who were reportedly paid for their co-operation.
However, according to purported sworn affidavits released by Mr Nygard’s public relations firm this week, Mr Davilma and Mr Bullard allegedly claimed they were paid for false testimony.
Mr Pintard has said he has been connected to STB for some time.
Comments
BMW 8 years, 2 months ago
These two criminals are swinging both sides! I am embarresed to say the least!
GrassRoot 8 years, 2 months ago
Everybody is entitled to an opinion. but sometimes it is just better not to say anything, bcz the contribution is at best confusing.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades has it been lost on listeners' to talk radio that a station who claims their lawyers are advising them not to discuss "Nygardgate" are running PAID radio spots for both Nygard Slims and Save the Bays?
Is it not the height of talk radio hypocrisy to run the two PAID commercials, right before and after they make the statement as to why they dont want callers be talking about Nygard?
GrassRoot 8 years, 2 months ago
whatever pays the bills, ey? nothing new. Bertold Brecht, a famous German poet and writer once said: "Grub First, Then Ethics".
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrade GrassRoot who they think they fooling?
It's like you're on trial and the judge and jury hitches rides to court on your accusers bus.
Like campaign donations to politicians by foreigners and corporations - while they ain't illegal it still doesn't make them acceptable in the eyes common voters.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
The FNM"s theme song "A Nation for Sale" They will do well to investigate their own. because some appear to have been purchased already. they should wear "sold" on their red shirts.
themessenger 8 years, 2 months ago
Birdie, now I finally understand why you enjoy wallowing in the stuff, it keeps you warm.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 2 months ago
Has Jerome produced said evidence?
No. Of course not.
Treat as what it is man.
Rumors...
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
The FNM party propaganda machine is on the roll, now they say Pintard is working with save the bays, They say Pintard and the criminal was over the hill solving crime. of all the crimes
committed over the hill. the only one he claims to have solved is the STB crime. only a FNM can believe that, Mr Nygard and Mr: smith has lawyers who will advise them. Pintard does not look good at all. Those young men over the hill should run when they see Mr: Pintard before he records them in some story.
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Amazing!
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
by TalRussell
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
What I have written is all true. but some folks have no sense of reasoning so they just cuss, it makes some feel big, really BIG, so carry on. I am all right with it.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 2 months ago
Note Ms: Philips in the FNM TV office amazed as to how Mr: Fitzgerald has her e mails it is no rumor, Also STB had in their pages how is it that Chinese are hired to work and not Bahamians. Pray tell what does that have to do with the envoriment? They see nothing wrong with Shanty Towns. Shanty towns are all right because they do not live near to shanty towns.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
Ask BJ to call out his NIA to investigate this ................... BOL
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 2 months ago
Yes how is it that they have her emails? Where's the data protection commissioner? Or maybe Jerome Fitzgerald can produce the subpoena from a judge that gives him the legal right to trawl through someone's email account.
bluesky 8 years, 2 months ago
What Fred Smith and Mr. Pintard has accomplished so far is to bring the wrath of the Gov't down on Mr. Bacon. I am curious to know what is their backup plan. They should have known the Gov't would not take this lying down, now the IRS could scrutinize Mr. Bacon's Non profit organizations. This is not good for Save the Bays. Did they miscalculate and not see this coming?
GrassRoot 8 years, 2 months ago
Hands for Hungers is also a not for profit. Not for profit does not mean that people work for free or it does not engage in economic activities. The biggest joke on the block is that the Bahamian Government is technically also a not for profit....
bluesky 8 years, 2 months ago
Nobody wants the FBI and IRS digging up in their business, look what the retired FBI uncovered.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 2 months ago
........ but we are still waiting on ONE Public Accounts Committee report from Chippie since 2012 ...... what do you say about that Mr. FNM (lkalikl)????????
TalRussell 8 years, 2 months ago
Comrades once you press send and it hits the recipients email inbox, what they decide to do with it is no longer your damn business. They can forward it to Chippie, the government, the opposition or the Queen England or whomever.
You got mail, Your Majesty.
by TalRussell
bluesky 8 years, 2 months ago
I don't understand why a brilliant lawyer like Fred Smith QC, would build his case and depend on two criminals as his star witness, got to be more to this story. are we missing something here? is there another bombshell?
birdiestrachan 8 years, 1 month ago
The outspoken QC is no great lawyer. He has gone very quiet, Mr: Darville and Philips are singing like birds. And Pintard must be looking for a good lawyer. They at one time said they also had persons from Scotland Yard assisting them. we hear no more from them, only the FBI..They had a criminal right in their midst and did not know.
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