The Tribune

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

FINANCE Minister Michael Halkitis walked into Parliament yesterday flanked by chanting Progressive Liberal Party supporters as Free National Movement leaders, standing yards away in Rawson Square, intensified calls for him to resign over his past role with Top Notch Builders.

The split-screen scene unfolded before Mr Halkitis opened the budget debate, turning Parliament’s doorstep into a political battleground over his previous connection to a company US authorities have alleged was used to launder proceeds for accused drug trafficker Jonathan Eric Gardiner.

Asked about renewed calls for his resignation, Mr Halkitis declined to go beyond comments he made in late May.

"I have nothing else to add to that,” he said. “Everything is in the public domain. I'm just happy to open this debate this morning.”

Across Rawson Square, FNM Chairman Dr Duane Sands and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard argued that serious questions remain about Mr Halkitis’ former role with Top Notch Builders.

"We find it absolutely astounding he cannot recall whether or not he held if not the first, the second most prominent role in the company Top Notch builders owned by a convicted international narco trafficker who is now arrested, incarcerated, and before the courts in the Southern District of New York," Dr Sands said. "We find it astounding that this administration feels that he is a fit and proper person to run the exchequer, the finances of this country.”

Mr Pintard accused Mr Halkitis of misleading the public about the extent of his involvement with the company, noting the minister initially told The Tribune he had not previously been connected to it.

Mr Pintard said Mr Halkitis would have known who the company’s beneficial owners were, arguing that he became president of the company after Gardiner held that post.

Mr Pintard disputed Mr Halkitis’ previous description of his former role as director, pointing to documents he said identified him as president of the company and "show that he lied on his feet".

He said that was grounds for resignation.

The opposition leader also accused Mr Halkitis of failing to disclose the full extent of his involvement with the company while serving in government, including while Cabinet discussed and awarded certain contracts.

Mr Pintard accused Mr Halkitis of exercising poor judgement, trying to conceal the extent of his involvement and sitting in Cabinet while contracts were issued to a company he previously led.

PLP supporters, meanwhile, defended Mr Halkitis outside Parliament.

Prince Kinlock, speaking on behalf of supporters gathered near the House of Assembly, said Mr Halkitis "he has done no wrong" and accused the opposition of "trying to take him down".

"You know, every time you move up there's another level and another level and those levels come with devils, and those devils are not red, they are very vicious," Mr Kinlock said.

PLP stalwart and former MP Leslie Miller also defended Mr Halkitis, calling him "an ethical man, family man, and knows his job".

"Give him a chance to do his job as the minister of finance,” he said. “He’s gonna do a wonderful job if given the opportunity. Let him do his work. That's what the government is there for the election is over, finished, move on.”

He called for Mr Pintard to resign as FNM leader, citing his election losses.

"One would think that Mr Pintard would've done the right thing like Mr Ingraham did, like Mr Christie did, Mr Minnis did. When you lose, three in a row, you go home. Give it to someone else,” Mr Miller said.

Inside Parliament, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson sought to distance himself from the controversy surrounding Gardiner, disclosing during his budget contribution that the man in US custody is related to his wife’s family.

Mr Thompson told the House that neither he, his wife, nor anyone acting on his behalf had any business dealings, financial relationship, campaign contributions or involvement with any company owned by, connected to or associated with Gardiner.

He said he made the disclosure voluntarily because he believed "the Bahamian people deserve transparency from all of those who hold public office."