Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson speaks to members of the press near Sixth St and Poinciana Ave where a man was shot to death near the St Barnabas Urban Community Centre earlier this year. Photo::: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
OUTGOING Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said police arrested and interviewed a former high-ranking officer and an attorney at the centre of a major corruption investigation involving leaked voice recordings.
Mr Fernander said both men were released pending further inquiries as his office awaits the Director of Public Prosecutions’ review and recommendation in the matter.
He suggested the investigation’s scope was broader than initially revealed, saying: “It’s not just the voice note. It goes beyond the voice note.”
The investigation surrounded voice notes that purported to capture a quid-pro-quo arrangement involving a senior police officer, a lawyer and two murdered men, Michael Fox Jr and Dino Smith.
The conversation centred around a $1.5m airport bank car heist in November 2023.
Fox Jr and Smith, both of whom are now dead, were suspects in that matter but were never charged.
Two other men, Oral Roberts, 34, and Akeil Holmes, 26, were charged in connection with the robbery.
Roberts was killed in Fox Hill last year.
The police chief’s comments to reporters followed the resignation of Michael Johnson, the former head of the Central Investigations Department.
Mr Johnson had taken garden leave last year while authorities investigated the case. He was questioned two weeks ago as part of the probe, according to Commissioner Fernander.
Asked if Mr Johnson was pressured to resign based on the findings of the police investigation, Commissioner Fernander said he could not comment on what led to his decision to leave the force.
He told reporters that police could not discharge Mr Johnson because the investigations were still ongoing.
In a statement on Tuesday, Commissioner Fernander confirmed that he had referred matters involving other officers uncovered in the investigation to the incoming deputy police commissioner, who will be responsible for discipline.
Pressed for more details yesterday, the commissioner revealed that more than four officers were implicated.
“That’s why we continue to say that we don’t investigate in the media and the investigators took our time and that’s how we got to where we are today,” he said. “We want to throw the net at the end of the day, not only looking at one individual but as we probe the investigation, we find that a number of other officers were implicated in the matter.”
Commissioner Fernander had promised to report to the public on the matter before the end of last year.
He said police were satisfied with their investigation after completing their due diligence into what he described as a “complex” probe.
He added that he hopes the DPP will provide her recommendation “in a reasonable time.”
Comments
Porcupine 2 days, 6 hours ago
Sounds like, "who will protect us from the police?" Also sounds like the real criminals are running the place. A few bad apples? Rotten to the fricking core, hey? But, they bust someone smoking a joint peacefully. And, how is that lawsuit against the US for the number of "their" guns used in Bahamian crime? Hard to say that our tax money is being used in an effective manner, yes? Will it get worser, before it gets better?
TalRussell 2 days, 4 hours ago
Is the probe into the voice note even legit? -- The probe needs to probe much deeper into the private lifestyles of those giving appearances of a culture of living high above their pay scales. -- Thankful for a new Fox Hill Prison will be completed in time to accommodate such an expected influx. --- Yes, there's even talk about a return of the dreaded Hanged Man's form of justice sanity to a Colony. -- Some might want to explore loadin' up on their choice supply of Bully (ED) Pills and Vaseline,....the ones where if you still has an erection after 5 hours....Must immediately make your way to Hospital Emergency. -- "Who could've made up for turning such a hypothesis into a 2025 prediction." --- Yes?
ExposedU2C 2 days, 2 hours ago
As they say, "fish rots from the head first" and corrupt PM Davis's head stinks to high heaven.
SP 2 days, 2 hours ago
In reality, after untold decades of top to bottom corruption incorporating politicians, law enforcement, and the legal fraternity, it would be asinine to believe this even begins to scratch the surface on corruption in the Bahamas!
Drugs, arms dealing, prostitution, and human trafficking are by far the biggest businesses in the country, that could not thrive without political, law enforcement, and legal facilitators.
Our country is a cesspool of corruption filled with so many skeletons that the PLP and FNM dare N-E-V-E-R to allow the FBI or Scotland Yard to carry out any investigation on anything for fear they will stumble upon evidence implicating the so called "elite".
TalRussell 2 days ago
Strange why a premiership, would've allowed Voice Note to "define" them during 2024 and now to lead their way into 2025? --- Comrades, the origin of the proverb "a fish rots from the head down" was until now, unknown, but not for much longer cause soon we cultures will claim to have originated it right here on and in we Colony of Out Islands, Cays, Towns and Settlements'. -- Related accomplishment may yet be forthcoming for the "Brave" Premiership. -- Yes?
pt_90 1 day, 23 hours ago
"we find that a number of other officers were implicated in the matter.” But I thought everything was fine.
Sign in to comment
OpenID