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‘Independent probe needed in Izmirlian case’

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said a New York judge’s ruling that China Construction America (CCA) sought to “curry favour” with Christie administration officials during its dispute with Sarkis Izmirlian “may only be the tip of the iceberg” as he called for an independent investigation into the allegations.

His comments mirrored those of FNM leader Michael Pintard, who also called for an independent commission of inquiry into the Christie administration’s handling of the feud.

Their remarks followed a ruling by Justice Andrew Borrok on Friday, which determined that Mr Izmirlian, Baha Mar’s original developer, had proven his fraud claim against CCA “beyond doubt”.

Justice Borrok also ruled that Baha Mar’s contractor had attempted to “curry favour” by paying $2.3m to a firm run by the son of Sir Baltron Bethel, a top adviser to former Prime Minister Perry Christie.

The payments were made between December 2014 and January 2016 — at the height of the dispute between Mr Izmirlian and CCA.

However, both Sir Baltron and his son denied that CCA influenced the former’s stance towards the dispute and its participants or his advice to the government and its actions. 

In a statement released on Sunday, the Office of the Prime Minister said Attorney General Ryan Pinder had been instructed to review the judgment’s findings and that no further comment would be made on the issue.

Yesterday, Mr Pintard described the allegations as damaging to The Bahamas’ reputation as a credible place for business. He urged the Prime Minister to “rise above his instincts to protect members of the PLP” and demonstrate that The Bahamas is a country of laws where “absolutely no one is above justice”.

“There’s a consistency in terms of their lack of transparency on very serious issues,” Mr Pintard said during a press conference. “We cited FTX. We can very well cite BPL, and the level of conflict that you continue to see between members of the Cabinet and parliamentary caucus and political operatives and their backers –– those persons who contribute and yet end up being the beneficiaries of single source contracts with minimal to no explanation.”

Mr Pintard stressed the need for an independent investigation, saying the opposition does not believe this administration will investigate itself and produce impartial, transparent conclusions.

When asked if the government should reconsider its deals with CCA moving forward, Mr Pintard did not respond directly. He only said regardless of whether a company tends to be a good or bad actor, it is the government’s responsibility to act as the gatekeeper, ensuring that all transactions comply with the laws of The Bahamas.

Comments

IslandWarrior 2 months ago

"The FNM has little room to speak on transparency when it comes to local contracts"

However, when it comes to the FTX scandal and the mess with Izmirlian and CCA, there's no question – we absolutely need a Royal Commission of Inquiry. It’s time to bring some real excitement back to the country and uncover the full extent of how deep the PLP's dirty laundry runs.

birdiestrachan 2 months ago

These FNM fellows are looking for brownie points, what ever happened in this situation had nothing to do with Mr Bethel and his son they did not have that kind of power, Toggie and boggie and OBAN fellows should look in the mirror,

joeblow 2 months ago

... this case was very unfair to Izmirlian, but Minnis just need to go away! Worst PM ever; even worst than Vomit!

bahamianson 2 months ago

You dont do a probe, though. Your probe caused the.bahamian purse millions.

ExposedU2C 2 months ago

We also need to have a full investigation of Tyrant Minnis's involvement with CCP controlled enterprises in the government's purchase of the Grand Lucayan Hotel property, his brutal cruelties inflicted on the Bahamian people during the COVID-19 epidemic. and his refusal to accept foreign aid and help in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which resulted in many deaths.

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