Photo: Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PUBLIC Disclosure Commission Chairman Bishop Victor Cooper said many senators and senior civil servants failed to disclose their assets, income and liabilities this year as the law requires.
“That’s our concern,” he said. “A number of them haven’t to this point, so I don’t know the reason. You know we sent out all of the documents on time and reminders, so that’s where the delinquencies lie: amongst these senior government officers.”
He could not say for certain whether any elected officials failed to follow the law.
He said he has finally sent a letter to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard with names of people who did not comply with the law.
Only the prime minister or leader of the opposition could table the list in parliament or forward it to the Office of the Attorney General for potential prosecution.
Bishop Cooper said in June that he would notify Prime Minister Davis and Mr Pintard of the delinquencies.
However, yesterday he said he did not do so until recently.
In addition to a $10,000 fine, those guilty of breaking the law could serve two years in prison.
Last year, some first-time MPs said they were unaware there was a legal requirement to file financial disclosures under the Public Disclosures Act.
Asked yesterday about the level of compliance this year compared to 2022, Bishop Cooper said it has been better this year.
The Bahamas does not have a robust system surrounding public disclosures. In its annual human rights report, the United States has repeatedly noted that no independent verification of the information public officials submit exists.
Bishop Cooper has said the commission wants to modernise the public disclosure filing process.
Comments
moncurcool 9 months, 2 weeks ago
The government does not obey the las, and there is no consequence. But yet the government wants to squeeze the average Bahamian if they disregard paying taxes.
This is utter nonsense. If these people break the law, fine them and send them to jail.
Porcupine 9 months, 2 weeks ago
100% correct.
TalRussell 9 months, 2 weeks ago
...Note: My simple ask of the Red Party's and King's Official Opposition Leader Michael Pintard ― Who is in possession of the full list, ― Listing, --- ALL the names,― Must've also included the names of those House-elected mps --- And ALL other those, who have not yet complied as lawfully required under the 'financial disclosures' act. ― My ask: ― Comrade Pintard. Where is the ― 'Significance of an Act' --- If you as the King's Official Opposition Leader, --- Hasn't turned over such a list of law breaking names to the Commish of the Policemans', to conduct full --- Subject to terms of imprisonment level --- Investigations'?
Sickened 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Unfortunately, your statement is incorrect with my understanding of the process. The PM and the leader of the opposition are not entitled to that information and nor is the Chairman of the disclosure commission obligated to give it. The Chairman can update both the PM and the LofO but to my knowledge he hasn't done so yet. It should be mandatory that the information be made public and that the Chairman report to the public at some fixed dates throughout the year. If both parties can agree to this then we would be much further ahead with fighting corruption and purging our civil servants from the utterly corrupt.
ted4bz 9 months, 2 weeks ago
It seems they do these things for distraction, this is not new.
Hoda 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Maybe, but when the plp wasnt in power this same office was allegesly leaking ppl name to the prees who was 1/2 hour late and suggesting other things.
longgone 9 months, 2 weeks ago
What a surprise----I'm shocked!!
bahamianson 9 months, 2 weeks ago
Ya charge people interest if they do not pay real property tax, but you can do as you please, have lavish parties during the independence week , and we have to pay for it while watching you dance the night away on OUR MONEY!!! Utter hogwash!. Go to D jail!!!
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