The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN told a magistrate yesterday that he would submit an alibi to the Office of the Attorney General in 21 days regarding his alleged acceptance of bribes amounting to more than $500,000 concerning generator purchases for the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

Freddie (Fred) Solomon Ramsey, 78, and his lawyer Roger Minnis appeared before Magistrate Guilimina Archer for a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) presentation that would fast track his case to the Supreme Court for trial.

The VBI hearing stemmed from Ramsey’s initial arraignment in October concerning four counts of conspiracy to commit bribery and 14 counts of bribery allegedly committed between 1999 and 2003.

The allegations are related to a widespread scheme involving tens of millions of dollars in bribes to countries around the world. They were brought to light last year in a US Department of Justice report which said that French power company Alstom SA allegedly paid more than $300,000 to a BEC board member to influence contracts to a French company between 1999 and 2003.

“Mr Ramsey, the Attorney General’s Office has made a determination to fast track this matter to the Supreme Court. They’ve presented a voluntary bill of indictment together with the relevant documents which they’ll be relying upon during proceedings in the Supreme Court,” the magistrate said.

The judge then proceeded to go through the various documents to ensure that all parties were in receipt of the same evidence Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin had signed as being true and correct on behalf of the attorney general.

The bundle included 12 witness statements from BEC’s General Manager Kevin Basden, Bradley Sherman Roberts, Mark Allen Smith, John Barry Farrington, Philip Wilfred Beneby, Sharon Brown, Wendy Warren, Desiree Pinder, Patrick Hanna and Shelly-Cook Seymour, the court heard.

Ramsey was also supplied with reports of Detective Corporal 1877 Rolle and Inspector Deborah Thompson and the written and typed versions of his record of interview with police.

“Those are the documents upon which the prosecution will be relying on at trial,” Magistrate Archer said.

Mr Minnis asked for the record to reflect that a signature was not attached to one of the witness statements.

Cordell Frazier, who appeared for the Crown in yesterday’s hearing, said the accused and his lawyer were also supplied with other evidence that will be made available to the trial judge in short order.

The magistrate then instructed the accused that he could not offer an alibi at trial if he did not enter one immediately at the VBI presentation or within 21 days to the Office of the Attorney General.

“I will give you an opportunity to consult with your attorney,” the magistrate said.

“After a review of the statements we will make a determination,” Mr Minnis said in his client’s stead.

The magistrate said the answer, in this instance, had to come from the accused. Ramsey echoed his lawyer’s statement.

“You will provide information to the Attorney General’s Office within 21 days?” the magistrate asked.

“Yes, your honour,” the accused said.

“I’ve made a note to that effect,” the magistrate said.

Ramsey, who is on $40,000 bail, was informed that he is to appear before Justice Bernard Turner on January 22, 2016 at 10am for his formal arraignment in the Supreme Court.

“You are hereby committed to the Supreme Court relative to the charges indicated in the VBI,” the magistrate concluded.

It is alleged that Ramsey, being concerned with others, conspired to “solicit, or accept any advantages as an inducement to or reward for or used influence in procuring” agreements for ABB Generacion and Alstom SA in the New Providence Expansion Phase Two with the Bahamas Electricity Corporation.

Concerning ABB Generacion, it is alleged that on two occasions between 1999 and 2003, he received $199,300 in bribes.

It is further alleged that Ramsey, on a dozen occasions during the same period, received $370,395.90 in bribes from Alstom SA.

Ramsey is a former Free National Movement meritorious council member and former parliamentary candidate for Fox Hill.

He is also a former insurance executive.