The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

TWO high-level executives at Baha Mar were fired last week on “suspicion of impropriety” after an internal investigation was launched at the resort.

The dismissals came in the same week two suspected prostitutes appeared in court following an undercover operation by police at the hotel.

The two Colombian women, 31-year-old Joe Milan and 32-year-old Lady Johnna Mira, were charged on February 20 before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain with overstaying their visas, and were fined $1,500 after pleading guilty.

However, the court prosecutor said their arrest came as a result of a surveillance operation set up by Cable Beach police officers on Tuesday, February 17.

Officers reportedly turned the women over to Department of Immigration officials after there was insufficient evidence to support their suspicions of solicitation.

The women entered the country legally on January 9 with permission to stay for just nine days. Neither subsequently applied for permission to stay longer.

The Tribune understands the women’s arrests came as the Gaming Board made inquiries about at least one member of the hotel’s senior management team.

One source said one of the men fired last week had been under investigation in Las Vegas for allegedly mishandling client funds, and that the Gaming Board’s investigation had started under the previous administration.

It is not clear if the suspected activities of the Colombian women had any direct bearing on the men let go by Baha Mar.

The Tribune understands at least two suites at the hotel may have been used to “entertain” high-roller guests.

When contacted for comment, Robert Sands, the resort’s senior vice president of administration and external relations, told The Tribune the two workers were let go after the resort became aware of “potential misconduct.”

“We became aware of potential misconduct and immediately launched an internal investigation,” Mr Sands said in a statement to The Tribune. “As a result, two employees were terminated on suspicion of impropriety.

“The Royal (Bahamas) Police (Force) concurrently arrested two women, who were charged with overstaying their visas. Baha Mar is committed to meeting the highest standards in all facets of our operations and requires all employees to meet these standards,” Mr Sands said.

According to sources close to the matter, Baha Mar wrote to the Gaming Board last week informing the body of the dismissals for “failure to fully disclose”.

Attempts to contact Kenyatta Gibson, chairman of the Gaming Board, were unsuccessful up to press time.