The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

LAWYERS on behalf of Bahamas Electricity Corporation Executive Chairman Leslie Miller yesterday filed papers in the Supreme Court suing the president of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union, Paul Maynard, for defamation.

According to court documents obtained by The Tribune, Mr Miller is also seeking an injunction restraining Mr Maynard from “further publishing or causing to be published” any defamatory remarks about him.

Mr Miller’s attorney Owen Wells, a lawyer with the firm McKinney Turner and Co, said Mr Maynard has 14 days from the day he is served to appear before the court or a judgment could me made in his absence.

“His lawyer can appear on his behalf or he can submit a document to the court saying he intends to defend the action,” he said.

“After that is done, we will file a statement of claim that will give further details of what our case is and the history of our case.”

Mr Miller first threatened to sue Mr Maynard after The Tribune published contents of a letter last month, which the union leader had sent to Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson. The letter was carbon copied to Prime Minister Perry Christie, Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson and Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

In the letter, Mr Maynard alleged that Mr Miller is using the controversial issue of overtime pay “as a smoke screen” for the “unethical things” that, Mr Maynard alleged, the Tall Pines MP is doing at BEC.

He also claimed that Mr Miller signed an engine maintenance contract without board approval and was a “consultant” for the firm in question.

Mr Miller strongly denied the allegations last month and said he would sue Mr Maynard over the claims.

When contacted for comment yesterday, Mr Maynard said he had not been served with any papers. He also said he believes the lawsuit will be dismissed because Mr Miller cannot sue him personally, but has to sue the union.

“He can’t sue (me). He has to sue the union so this will end up getting dismissed. The letter he is upset about was (sent) on a union letter head,” Mr Maynard said.

“I was speaking to him as president of the union, it was a complaint I made as president of the union. We will see what happens, but I am not worried.”

Mr Maynard has previously said he “welcomed a lawsuit” from Mr Miller if it means “the truth will finally be revealed”.