BEC Chairman Leslie Miller
By KHRISNA VIRGIL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
LESLIE Miller, Bahamas Electricity Corporation Executive chairman, says he has no concerns about the Financial Intelligence Unit probe into the way his family paid the money it owed BEC.
Last month, it was reported that two BEC cashiers were questioned after they accepted $100,000 in cash from Mr Miller’s daughter towards settling the arrears owed BEC for their family-owned business.
At the time, sources confirmed to The Tribune that the $100,000 was paid at BEC’s post office branch, in three payments of $25,000, $50,000 and another $25,000 because the corporation’s main branch on Baillou Hill Road would not accept the cash.
The matter, which has sparked a wave of public criticisms, was recently turned over by BEC to the FIU in an effort to substantiate whether the payment breached anti-money laundering regulations.
However, Mr Miller said neither was he worried or informed that he was under investigation.
“I pay my staff every week with cash, what is the big deal?” Mr Miller asked. “I am not in some kind of illicit money trade. I am a business man and I have been one since 1978. As for an investigation, I have no clue about it and I have no concerns either.
“But what do you expect? I was appointed BEC chairman and since that happened I have been able to save this corporation $8 million? Do you think the unions are happy about that? Hence the attacks.”
Mr Miller suggested that he has been the target of numerous news reports recently because of a vendetta against him by the unions. He explained that their efforts will have no effect on his work at BEC.
“I have a job to do and I will do it. I was appointed by the government to work on behalf of the Bahamian people. I have nowhere to go until the job is completed in full.”
Mr Miller said he did not understand the controversy surrounding the $100,000 because “money is money”. He added that he did not know of a BEC policy not to accept more than $10,000 cash because many “businesses have done it before”.
The deposit came in the days following a revelation that Mr Miller and one of his family-owned businesses owed the corporation a total of $239,533.33.
In a press statement released after the debt was revealed, the managing directors of Mario’s Bowling & Family Entertainment Palace and Summer Winds Investment Company Limited confirmed that a $100,000 payment was made towards the bill.
Comments
DillyTree 10 years, 3 months ago
Why does Leslie Miller think that because he is doing his job, that somehow allows him greater leeway than the average citizen? Does he think he needs a medal for doing his job? One might argue that he's not doing a very good job, given the latest BEC woes, but to use the fact that he is "doing his job" as an excuse for his questionable behaviour is most disingenuous.
Most legitimate business people do not have cash in those amounts just laying around. That is what banks are for. Leslie cannot be so ignorant as to not understand people's concerns.
mangogirl01 10 years, 3 months ago
That's the mentality of the PLP, they are above reproach!
UserOne 10 years, 3 months ago
One of the problems now is that there is such a focus on the $100,000.00 that was paid; what about the balance Leslie Miller owes that is more than another $100,000.00? He acts as if the $100,000.00 cleared his debt; he needs to be held accountable for the balance.
jackbnimble 10 years, 3 months ago
The focus HAS to be on the $100,000 payment because if it's laundered money, then technically this is a crime and his bill is still NOT paid. I trust they have these funds stashed is a safe somewhere and that a credit is not applied to his account until due diligence is complete.
I am truly baffled at Mr. Miller's attitude. He continues to try and deflect from the facts. He owed the corporation money and was telling everyone else off about their bills, his company's so-called cash payment is now in question, we find out that he is personally authorizes the BEC technicians not to cut off other PLP croonies' lights when they owe and yet he continues to fly in the face of the media with his "up yours" statements because he knows the PM is too jelly to fire him.
Jesus, this country is gone. We desperately need a NEW GOVERNMENT!
Sickened 10 years, 3 months ago
"The PM is too jelly to fire him"... you should have used the words 'sissy' not 'jelly'!
justthefactsplease 10 years, 3 months ago
He has no concern because he is being investigated by Bahamians and nothing will come of it. Neither the Minister of National Security nor the Attorney General will let their colleague be prosecuted so that investigation is a farce. We need the international regulators to squeeze some balls if we are to get anywhere with this.
The_Oracle 10 years, 3 months ago
Does the 8 million he saved the Corp Include or exclude his unpaid balance? Just askin.....
asiseeit 10 years, 3 months ago
The fact that 1. he does not know the law and 2. he does not know the regulations of B.E.C. show you the level of public servant we have working for The Bahamas. Jokes for days just as this nation is a joke around the world. Our supposed leaders are a laughingstock.
TalRussell 10 years, 3 months ago
Comrades how in the living hell can a sitting "law maker" not expect to be a magnet for harsh criticism when you run around make such outlandish statements like; "I do not understand the controversy surrounding the $100,000 (CASH) because 'money is money'." Were you to stand Pot cake and Shane side-by-side, between two them, they'd have enough magnetic force to suck a flipp'in steel barge right out Nassau Harbour. Throw in The Honourable Comrade Alfred Gray and the three them would suck one them big steel tankers right out water. These three "servants of the peoples" must sprinkle their morning Corn Flakes with magnetic flavored sugars.
asiseeit 10 years, 3 months ago
You are correct Tal, but I will put myself out there and predict that they, all three, will be re-elected. Why you ask, same way the rich man got the people to march on Bay St. The Majority of Bahamians are just that deep and smart that they would sell they Ma for a meal.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 3 months ago
Miller is a typical 1970s - 80s Pingdomite............ who was a product of the 1960s. He is a cash money man ............. no checks or credit cards, ATMs or online banking.......... Cant be traced or accounted for.............. aka Mafia mentality .............................. SMDH
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