PM says claim of son’s pay is ‘crazy’

Prime Minister Perry Christie.

As of Tuesday, April 25, 2017

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Deputy Chief Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday denied allegations printed in a local tabloid that his son was allegedly paid millions of dollars in realtor commission fees over the sale of the British Colonial Hilton Hotel to China Construction America (CCA).

Responding to a report in The Punch, Mr Christie stressed that it is “crazy” to allege that his son, Steffan Christie, in “one swoop” could have amassed more money than he has earned in his lifetime.

Yesterday it was reported that Mr Christie’s son was the real estate agent for Cross & Mosko Real Estate and Development Company when CCA acquired the Bay Street hotel. The report further alleged that Steffan Christie and another employee negotiated the sale and split the commission fee when the transaction was final.

“In today’s Bahamas you have to be very careful,” Mr Christie said as he began remarks at a ceremony to commission the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas’ new 300ft transmission tower. “I belong to one of the most dangerous professions.”

He continued: “In today’s Bahamas where there is an incredible amount of fake news it is more important for the Broadcasting Corporation to reach its standards and adhere to standards where they can say if I am looking for truth I know who to look to.

“It took me 42 years in public life and 43 years of marriage to earn a worth of what it is today. And then the press could allege that my son in one swoop could have three times the amount of money that I earned in 40 something years or 70 years of my life?

“But this is crazy. That is why I advocate this morning for there to be standards that even when we are down, mired in the depth of politics, we must not leave the standard that is required of a national broadcast corporation.

“You must not lower it. You must protect (it) because it is what is owned by all of the people of the country.”

Prime Minister Christie, the PLP’s incumbent for Centreville, is among a long list of millionaires and wealthy candidates who are vying for seats in the House of Assembly, according to financial disclosures submitted to the Parliamentary Registration Department.

Mr Christie, according to these disclosures, listed his net worth as $2,029,151, which is roughly the same amount he declared in 2012. He was worth about $2.2m according to his declaration in 2007.

According to the latest declaration, of his assets Mr Christie listed $226,435 in savings accounts, $27,375 in current accounts and $10,000 in securities. He listed $69,878 in accounts receivable and said his home is worth $700,000. He listed a salary of $139,000 with other income as $11,860.

banker 7 years, 8 months ago

This is an easy one to fix. Make the records public. If you have nothing to hide, then do it.

HonestTruth 7 years, 8 months ago

I hope everyone notice noticed how he never denied the allegation that his son was the real estate agent for the sale, I am sure Perry brokeraged this deal in his capacity as PM.

Perry denies the amount of money that his son reportedly made, but he did not deny his son's involvement in the process. This man is a criminal and needs to go to jail on May 10th

OMG 7 years, 8 months ago

At least he has disclosed more than President Trump

birdiestrachan 7 years, 8 months ago

So what Mr: Christie's son is a private citizen. ? and if he works and makes a good living more power to him.

concernedcitizen 7 years, 8 months ago

That's true , but if he ends up btw a lot of big deals as the real estate agent that need foreign investor approval ,then its another story ...

MassExodus 7 years, 8 months ago

Birdie I know you are uneducated so let me educate you. There is something called conflict of interest. I would assume that attorneys would advise the son of the Prime Minister to not be the broker for this transaction, as it would reflect badly, and call in to question the oaths that a prime minister would undertake, on conflicts of interest and directing state business towards immediate family or family businesses.

So it is not "so what" it is a illegal and against the practice and oath and call into question completing transactions in the best interest of the country. If this is true it is more likely that this deal would be in Mr. Christie's immediate interest.

Get a clue or reframe from dumb comments.

Porcupine 7 years, 8 months ago

What's "crazy" is that Mr Christie believes he is capable of running a country after his lifetime of failure in trying to do so. Are the facts not clear for all to see? Honestly!

realfreethinker 7 years, 8 months ago

So he can quickly address this but is still silent on the corruption in his cabinet

sheeprunner12 7 years, 8 months ago

If there is smoke........ there is fire ........... and this smoke (story) is as thick as the dump smoke was over Jubilee Gardens

Greentea 7 years, 8 months ago

From the PMs mouth: “In today’s Bahamas you have to be very careful,” Mr Christie said as he began remarks at a ceremony to commission the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas’ new 300ft transmission tower. “I belong to one of the most dangerous professions.” It is certainly a profession that has been a danger to the life of the nation.

bullah 7 years, 8 months ago

birdie...is you serious?

alfalfa 7 years, 8 months ago

The story alleged that the PM's son made some $2.5 million representing half of the fee of $5 million from this real estate deal. The PM is saying that it is crazy to think that his son could earn more in one fell swoop than he himself has earned in 40 years in politics. $2.5 million over 40 years calculates to be $62,500 per year. Is the PM saying that he did not earn more than this amount for his career? Come on. He has been PM for ten years and an MP for forty years. Is the electorate going to swallow this story too? Check the annual salary and perks for the PM. The facts will speak for themselves. Wow.

John 7 years, 8 months ago

If Perry son represented Bah mar on the real estate part of the deal he was entitled to 2% of the real estate deal (before Bah Mar was built). And since they say that part of the deal was valued at $1 billion you all should be slapping Perry son side he head for only taking $5 million when he was clearly entitled to $20 million. Go get the rest of your money Perry son. Don't mind your pa being the prim minister. He doesn't pay all your bills.

alfalfa 7 years, 8 months ago

John, I think they are referring to the Hilton hotel sale. Not Bahamar.

TalRussell 7 years, 8 months ago

Comrades! One the first orders business for Red Party when they first came to power was to immediately cause the setup and branding of a Real Estate Agency on Shirley Street at the foot Collins Avenue - a branding as the 'government's real estate agency of record' - millions dollars commissions flowed through those realty doors - and some involved so publicly lived the high on the hog social life.

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