By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Electricity Corporation Executive Chairman Leslie Miller said yesterday he does not understand the controversy surrounding the $100,000 cash payment his daughter made toward an electricity bill for his family-owned business last week because “money is money”.
Speaking with The Tribune, Mr Miller said he was also unaware of BEC’s policy not to accept more than $10,000 cash because many “businesses have done it before”.
His comments came after two BEC cashiers were questioned by management last week after it was claimed that they accepted $100,000 in cash toward an outstanding bill for Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace.
“Money is money,” Mr Miller said, when contacted by The Tribune. “I didn’t know what the policy was. If they came to my business and gave me money, paid me in cash, I would thank them again and again.
“Institutions in this country have done this before. These are petty things (that are) causing the Bahamian people to be sidetracked from what is really happening at the corporation and all the good that is being done. The people that are attacking me and my family are nameless, but I have a name and they are coming for me. I do not need them to like me, my record speaks for itself.”
According to Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard the employees were told that it was against BEC’s policy to accept more than $10,000 in cash.
Mr Maynard said the cashiers in question did not know about BEC’s policy on cash payments and he will “not let them take the rap for this mess”.
“If BEC wanted the employees to know about this policy they would have put it in writing and given it to the employees, but these ladies knew nothing about it. They did not know about the policy and the union is not prepared to allow BEC cashiers to take the fall,” he said last week.
“They better not think about dealing with them in anyway and not punish them. It is not the staff’s business how someone pays as long as they do pay,” Mr Maynard added.
According to sources, 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 refused to accept the cash.
The deposit came days after it was revealed 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 the $100,000 payment was made towards the bill for the Harrold Road bowling alley, which The Tribune understands was $193,159.56 before the payment was made.
When contacted, Leslia Miller, daughter of Leslie Miller and vice president of Food and Beverage at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace, would not comment on whether or not the bill was paid in cash or by cashier’s cheque, as had been initially reported.
More like this story
- Millers paid off part of BEC bill with $100,000 cash - but that’s against rules
- Miller has no concerns over probe into $100,000 payment
- Minnis: Where did $100,000 cash come from for BEC payment?
- Miller’s family pays off $100,000 of BEC bill - and he says he won’t resign
- Christie orders probe into BEC
Comments
sheeprunner12 10 years, 4 months ago
Money is money ................ that's what the Mafia say
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
And those are those words Gorge Smith spoke exactly one year ago "why does it matter how you make your money". This crew is DANGEROUS.
Purcell 10 years, 4 months ago
Can you spell M O N E Y L A U N D E R I N G?
242orgetslu 10 years, 4 months ago
Bey Leslie between me and you da i is a real bully king! You an the government are the same set of people daddyo! Fuck you an BEC! Dis why the white man is come fuckin take all our shit from us, cuz yall stupid ass niggaz! How this man wit such BIG BILL at BEC for SO FUCKIN LONG, be able to be in charge of BEC? AH? STUPID SHIT! Den dis nigga ga pay in CASH DUTYY! CASH! all dat saying is you had the corn from long time, you just decide when YOU READY to pay sumtin on it, and you cud do dat, YOU CUD DO DAT CUZ YOU IN CHARGE RIGHT? Fuck you and the incompetent people who put you der dutty!
justthefactsplease 10 years, 4 months ago
"Money is money" ... true dat ... AND money laundering is money laundering!!!!
thomas 10 years, 4 months ago
OMG...this coming from a sitting MP is ridiculous
mrkeepinthefaith 10 years, 4 months ago
it is a great shame that a man in charge of a organization ,does not know the policy of that corporation,meaning he should not have been there in the first place,secondly he know because they went to different locations to pay different amounts,thirdly his son was a known drug dealer,after his death mr miller come up with daughter to open this business up,no one commented on that,now the prime minister is sitting silkent,he should have been the first one to comment and fire mr miller,yet again he has not the testicular fortitude to carry out his job,heads up bahamas,these seem people come election would have this economy drain and they would be living the life of rock stars,fred mitchel made the statement after parliment he want to be living high on the horse,borrowing money to line their pockets,WAKE UP BAHAMIANS,this government is about themselves
asiseeit 10 years, 4 months ago
There are no words! They are living a dream where there are no rules, and they wonder why we are such a lawless society? If anyone had doubt that government was dirty, has no doubt any longer. You just can't make this crap up.
backward 10 years, 4 months ago
lol and they wonder "what happen" to the young bahamian men... MP's more corrupt than that same young bahamian man selling dope, killing, stealing, robbing. You know why? "MONEY IS MONEY" don't worry about where it come from. MONEY IS MONEY that's a statement by an MP in power!!! So when we read about the next murder or robber don't worry about why they would do something like that, because they don't have anything and MONEY IS MONEY! Shit is ridiculous.
Publius 10 years, 4 months ago
And money laundering is money laundering. The media has yet to make the point clear to the public of why the amount paid in cash matters based on our laws. The media cannot assume that everyone in the public understands what the point of this matter is.
sheeprunner12 10 years, 4 months ago
I ask again.............. where is the General Manager of BEC.. Mr. Kevin Basden???????? He should be made to account for the chaos going on at the corporation that he is running... do not leave the running of the corporation to the politicians .......... that is out of order!!!!!!!
jusscoolin 10 years, 4 months ago
That's the problem with our whole Bahama Land. Nothing is getting done because we have too many actors in charge . People in government who act like they know what they are doing and say what we wanna hear. In point, our Prime Minister. Everytime he gets his sweet mouth on the Mic he acts as he knows what he is saying ,and says what we wanna hear, you listen every speech. The biggest actors in the Bahamas .Politician,Criminals and Bosses!
sheeprunner12 10 years, 4 months ago
This country is on the slippery slope towards political chaos and financial ruin under the PLP......... the writing is on the wall and all right thinking Bahamians must demand a change by any means necessary.
TalRussell 10 years, 4 months ago
Comrades lots allegations by bloggers but so far I am unable to find any section of a Bahamaland anti-money laundering act which would have have required BEC or any other likewise business establishment to report a financial transaction in relation to a $100,000 cash payment, regardless of the individual or company making the payment? In fact, where does it say in the act that even a cash payment of $5000 is required to be reported to the police or any other governing authority? The act seems to be more concerned with financial/trust institutions, lawyers and accountants but I stand to be corrected?
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
That's weird, every Compliance department I know about flags payments over 10,000. Someone would have had to account for the source of the money and in cash. Get a grip, you have got to be kidding. Every drug dealer and hired hit man could be breathing easy if you were PM.
backward 10 years, 4 months ago
lol obviously this dude knows NOTHING about compliance. That's the problem and the reason for these MP's to act the way they do. Bahamians DO NOT KNOW therefore they backup these fools
Publius 10 years, 4 months ago
The reason business institutions work within the framework of the anti-money laundering guidelines is so that their establishments will not be used for money laundering where the banks will refuse the cash. In other words, the point of anti-money laundering laws is so that ALL institutions are free of money laundering, not just the banks.
TalRussell 10 years, 4 months ago
if something is done voluntarily, neither BEC or Comrade Pot Cake broke any money laundering laws....right?
thomas 10 years, 4 months ago
WRONG
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
Duuuhh, that is exactly why the cashier was in trouble, who knows maybe someone gave her a call and promised her 1000 if she accepted the payment. "Not knowing" is NO LONGER an excuse. I don't know about the practices at BEC but every banking institution is MANDATED to have annual compliance training of staff and to show proof that all staff attended the training. Shame on the chairman/pseudo general manager for A. not knowing and B. saying what's the big deal C. Not knowing that IT IS A BIG DEAL, especially in a country known the world over as major illegal drug transshipment point
PGC it appears that annual Compliance and Money Laundering training is in order for all Government Ministers and Government Corporation board members. Invite birdie too please
UserOne 10 years, 4 months ago
You cannot deposit more than $10,000.00 in a bank without documentation of the source of the money.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
No general crazy. Made a comment earlier on another article stating that every opposition, from 1960 on, is to blame for the state BEC is in today.
Dunno where Mr Miller got the money from, but 100,000 IN CASH?? That's a red flag.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
because the corporation’s main branch on Baillou Hill Road refused to accept the cash
Bahamianpride 10 years, 4 months ago
People lets not make this an issue of money laundering or any of that. Mr. Miller is allowed to hold 100,000 + in his mattress if he so wishes and present legal notes for payment. The issue is Trust, Integrity and overall bad character. I don't care about FNM/PLP nonsense because all hands are bloody in this corruption. The problem is integrity. Persons in government are continuously being found breaking the laws of this country or demonstrating poor character. He turns of peoples lights for not paying their bills at the same time gets away with running outstanding balances without consquences while claiming to hold unions and private citizens accountable. That's the issue here, he should be removed for misconduct along with every MP who did not report income, and Mrs. Pindling for neglecting to pay property taxes. These are character flaws found in cheaters and lyers. Nobody is perfect but this in my mind disqualifies individuals regardless of party from holding public office. Lastly, what the hell is going on with these people and their financial problems, time and time again we are discovering delinquent accounts (neglected intentionally or not). Have they priced themselves out of the Bahamas or are they just behaving above the law? Most people are struggling now but the level of financial chaos speaks to a deeper problem..
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
He is allowed to hold 100,000 in cash in his mattress, YES.
BUT, when he presents that 100,000 to any legal entity in this country as a form of "payment", he has to provide evidence as to the source of those funds. And it can't be a flimsy explanation like "Joe down the road paid me 100,000 to weed his yard". No bank in the country would accept it otherwise.
Can you imagine what would happen in this country if that were not the case?? (Major human smuggling and drug transshipment point)
Completely agree with everything else, so sick of all these corrupt politicians who see nothing wrong with making money by any illegal, unethical means necessary.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
Think of it. No banking institution today will accept money from the webshops. Suppose Mr Miller called up Flowers and asked him to borrow 100,000. Guess what, some bank just accepted via BEC and "unknowingly" a deposit from a webshop. Classic money laundering.
TalRussell 10 years, 4 months ago
Yet my Comrade, are you aware that, if "Pot Cake" Leslie under the same anti-money laundry law you are so relying upon, had marched over to a cashier at some "illegal Numbers House, this same law says, it's OK to place a $100.000 CASH gambling wager? You see, the politicians were damn careful to exclude large cash payments, if you wished to use it to gamble at a Casino or Numbers House with. Oh yes, large amounts cash exchange hands all time at gambling joints, the legal and the illegal.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
If he marched to any webshop, it's illegal. As far as I know, its illegal for Bahamians to gamble in a casino and webshops are still operating illegally. The police could carry him and his 100,000, if, they chose to do their job.
TalRussell 10 years, 4 months ago
Are you suggesting Bahamaland's Anti-Money Laundering Laws are only for enforcement against Bahamalander's? And, don't be too surprised, if you don't end up being made to that thing about, NO Bahamians gambling in local casinos?
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 4 months ago
No I'm suggesting that your argument is invalid since if Leslie Miller marched into a webshop to gamble he would be committing an illegal act and if he walked into a local casino he would be committing an illegal act. Making a 100,000 CASH payment, without disclosing the source of the funds, EVEN IF YOU BREAK UP PAYMENTS INTO SMALLER AMOUNTS is against EVERY compliance treaty we've signed on to in the past 8 years. No matter which way you slice it, it comes up peanuts.
And for your edification our compliance laws apply to anyone conducting a financial transaction in the Bahamas.
Sickened 10 years, 4 months ago
This certainly smells of webshop money. They are the only people in the Bahamas that carry around $100k+ in cash.
BahamianKing 10 years, 4 months ago
"Money" isn't the issue, Mr. Miller...it's how much of it - at one time - is what's implicating you.
BahamianKing 10 years, 4 months ago
If any of this ever happened in the states, the IRS would be all over his behind! Not my country, through...'cause we is ___!
John 10 years, 4 months ago
So are you saying it is ok to owe $239,000.00 at one time but it is not ok to pay $100,000.00 at one time? just asking. I know that banks and financial institutions do not allow deposits over $10,000.00 w/o signing a verification of source form.
thomas 10 years, 4 months ago
you answered your question
John 10 years, 4 months ago
TIME TO PLAN AN EXIT STRATEGY!! Things are getting uglier by the day. WHAT do they call those people around the world who have built underground bunkers and stocked them with food, clothing, water and firearms? In preparation for when civil society collapses.
positiveinput 10 years, 4 months ago
With an article like this, don't be surprise if Mario's Bowling Palace, or one of the B.E.C. office experience a robbery. How could an amount like that be disclosed. Ever wondered why the amount in a robbery is never disclosed? Main reason, not to give other would be robbers an idea of where to find large sums of cash.
All4One 10 years, 4 months ago
I agree with BahamianPride to a certain degree; this is about so much more than Miller's alleged money laundering. This 'poke in the eye' of the Bahamian people is simply the most recent example of Miller's reprehensible behaviour, questionable ethics and gross arrogance. In a civilised society, Miller would have either voluntarily demitted office, or been summarily dismissed by the party leader. Instead, he's being allowed to continue to run amok; chairman of a corporation to which he continues to owe substantial amounts, and overseeing employees who cannot possibly respect him to ANY degree! A man who continues to maintain that he 'stands by his record!' Well, considering how appalling his record is, we need to start listening to him!
I believe BEC absolutely needs strong leadership, and is overdue for re structuring. But this is not an individual who can hold any moral authority, and effect the change that's so desperately needed.
Welcome to live in the 242! We need to wake up.....
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