The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY Fred Smith, QC, yesterday questioned why Prime Minister Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis met with police over an investigation into an alleged “murder for hire” plot when “they had nothing to do” with the alleged scheme.

Mr Smith also admitted that he did not go to police after he learned that Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard allegedly orchestrated a murderous plot against Mr Smith and Mr Nygard’s billionaire neighbour Louis Bacon.

Mr Smith told The Tribune he had previously reported several “criminal” matters to the police that he feels were not taken seriously, so he did not “trust” that the police would investigate the murder plot allegations.

On Monday, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said Mr Christie met with police in connection with the alleged murder for hire plot and officers planned to speak with Mr Davis that same day.

Commissioner Greenslade said the independent investigation, which began last Friday, will determine whether there is anything of a criminal nature that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) should be pursuing, “if there is any matter that originates of a criminal nature and whether there is any capability in terms of anyone we have reason to speak to”.

Both Prime Minister Christie and Mr Davis’ names were mentioned in secret recordings with Mr Nygard that accompanied court documents filed by Mr Bacon and others.

Commissioner Greenslade also said he received no complaints from anyone in any of the affidavits who claimed their lives were threatened or any reports from anyone who had information of someone doing a “wrong deed.” He also said that as a result of this investigation several persons “could be arrested and charged or worse.”

“It is not appropriate for the commissioner to only be focused on the (alleged) murder for hire plot and it is also not right that he is questioning Mr Christie and Mr Davis, when no one has accused either of them of hiring hit men,” Mr Smith said.

He later said: “Neither man is accused of any wrongdoing in the action and it is utterly beyond me why they should be interviewed by the police at all. There is no reason why Mr Christie or Mr Davis should be investigated as a result of this action.

“Clearly, based on the evidence, the individuals of interest, those who should be top of the police’s list for questioning, are Keod Smith and Peter Nygard. The latter was in the country from Wednesday March 9, just before our action was filed, until, Tuesday, March 13. If he was questioned, the commissioner failed to mention this. If he was not, why not?”

Mr Smith added: “As far as reporting the (alleged) plot I wrote to the police many times in relation to threats of death, intimidation and harassment. Rev C B Moss made a complaint to the police when his car was burned down, Romauld Ferreira called the police four times to investigate break-ins and no one came, when I was attacked on Jaws Beach the police prosecuted me for allegedly causing harm to the guy that was breaking up my car, so forgive me if we don’t trust them.

“We were fearful. Do not get me wrong, I do not think that Mr Nygard has any sway with the police and I think Mr Greenslade is beyond reproach, but Mr Nygard always portrayed himself as being untouchable. I still don’t know why they are talking to the PM and the DPM - Nygard is the one they are supposed to be talking to.”

When asked how John Joseph DiPaolo, a Fort Lauderdale investigator paid for by Save The Bays, was able to come into the Bahamas and conduct an investigation without the permission of the RBPF or a work permit from the Department of Immigration, Mr Smith said: “No one has broken the law.”

Save The Bays directors Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Mr Smith and Mr Bacon along with Rev Moss have filed a writ in the Supreme Court against Mr Nygard and lawyer Keod Smith. They allege that the two orchestrated a two-and-a-half-year campaign of fear and violence to “kill or scare off” activists Mr Nygard saw as opponents to development plans for his Lyford Cay property.

They are seeking damages and a permanent injunction against Mr Nygard and Keod Smith restraining them from arranging any further tactics against them.

The 400 pages of documents and 19 videos detail the findings of a team of retired FBI and Scotland Yard professionals and Bahamian investigators, who investigated the claims of convicted criminals Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma.

Mr Bullard and Mr Davilma identified themselves as high profile gang members in court documents filed by Save the Bays and allege that Mr Nygard gave them a “hit list” of people to murder or “send a message” to - with Mr Smith and Mr Bacon topping the list as the “worst of all”. Others on the alleged list included lawyer Pericles Maillis and Tribune Business Editor Neil Hartnell.

The criminals were tracked down with the help of Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Michael Pintard and former FNM Senator John Bostwick, who alerted Mr Smith that the men were behind the protests against Save The Bays.

The two men reportedly co-operated with the investigation in return for compensation for their actions as whistleblowers and to ensure the protection of themselves and their families.

On Tuesday, a press statement issued on behalf of Mr Nygard said the secret recordings contained in the Save the Bays court filings prove the Canadian designer did not commit the acts alleged.