FNM CHAIRMAN MICHAEL PINTARD.
By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Chief Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MICHAEL Pintard has resigned as chairman of the Free National Movement (FNM) and as a senator over his involvement in the lawsuit against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard.
Mr Pintard announced his decision to tender his resignation effective immediately from public office in a series of Facebook posts on Monday morning.
After holding both posts for less than two years, he maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt.
“I fear no legal or ethical wrongdoing in my role in meetings when PLP/Nygard operatives made me aware of their past criminal acts and possible dastardly and unbelievable plot that posed a potential threat to the lives and reputation of citizens of this nation,” he said.
“I resign because I want our party not to be distracted in our effort to defeat an incompetent and unethical Government. Thanks again and God bless you and all Bahamians.”
Mr Pintard has been mired in controversy since he was named in a lawsuit filed on March 9 against Mr Nygard and his lawyer Keod Smith by four Save The Bays (STB) directors - Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and Mr Bacon - and Reverend CB Moss.
The lawsuit alleges that Mr Nygard engaged in a murder-for-hire scheme with criminals Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma, and paid them to stage several hate rallies and commit such criminal acts as arson and harassment. It was revealed that the criminals were tracked down with the help of Mr Pintard.
Mr Bullard and Mr Davilma were compensated for their “evidence”; however, the men later claimed they were paid for false testimony and that Mr Pintard negotiated the payoff. When The Tribune asked Mr Pintard if he was compensated for his role in the lawsuit, he said he would address that in a later press release.
STB director Fred Smith confirmed that Mr Pintard had a professional relationship with his law firm Callenders & Co and has paid the FNM chairman in the past for services in connection with campaigns for the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association and other civic issues. However, Mr Smith would not confirm whether Mr Pintard had been compensated in connection with the Nygard lawsuit, stating that his private arrangements with the law firm were private.
Two audio recordings have been circulating on social media of the meetings between Mr Pintard and the would-be criminals.
In his Facebook post, Mr Pintard said: “The FNM and the PLP are different in how we approach governance and crisis. The central issue here is to rescue our country from a PLP Party that is not suited to govern in a time when our people need a competent, honest and compassionate government.
“Today, I make the decision to work more directly in our communities addressing our people’s need for economic opportunities, basic necessities and a sense of who we are as a people. My letter of resignation from the Senate is being forwarded to the President of the Senate and my letter of resignation as Chairman is being forwarded to the leader of the Opposition. My resignation is not an admission of guilt about anything,” he said.
Mr Pintard was appointed in June 2014 after John Bostwick’s appointment was revoked because of a pending ammunition possession trial. Mr Pintard also served as a senator during the previous FNM administration. He replaced former FNM chairman Darron Cash at the party’s convention in November 2014.
Full story and reaction, see Tuesday’s Tribune
Comments
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
This is what honorable officers of Westminster politics do ................. more power to Pintard
Emac 8 years, 1 month ago
Excellent! I have a new level of respect for Pintard. His resignation is in the best interest of the party, indeed. Now the other petty politicians from that other party cannot use him as a distraction and as a deflection for their shady engagement in this whole matter. But the day any member of the PLP resigns, is the day that the KKK would welcome blacks into their organization. But whatever, the FNM would be a party again if only Minnis himself also resigns as leader.
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
good moment for Minnis to go too.
Zakary 8 years, 1 month ago
In politics and corporate bureaucracies it is said that only the honorable and responsible resign, and those that are fired become scapegoats. The PLP sure made quick work of him though, that didn’t take long.
xtreme2x 8 years, 1 month ago
Why should Minnis resign? Did not hear no one calling for him to resign after Mr Ingraham resign and he become leader.He kept the party together from then to now. Shit, if Mr Christie could be leader, why can't he?
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
He kept what party together. A party that did not get anything done, has not renewed itself and is on the path of handing another victory to the PLP? If so, he did more damage than good. that's for sure.
xtreme2x 8 years, 1 month ago
That is your opinion and you are entitle to it. even though like you say, "A party that did not get anything done". HE STILL KEPT IT TOGETHER...BOL
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
you are right. this is probably an achievement already.
Zakary 8 years, 1 month ago
Bahamians deserve every bit of bad governance they get, just different measuring sticks I suppose.
UserOne 8 years, 1 month ago
Well done, Mr. Pintard. You have shown that there is hope for our country yet. When this is over, please return to politics; we need honourable people like you. This also speaks to the possibilities of an FNM government. People need to look beyond leadership and look at who makes up the party.
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrades this expected resignation does not give the red shirts a green light to go on pretending that they will no longer continue being distracted, nor should it put a stop to accessing more about the red shirts involvement in and with this most disturbing caper.
Comrades is it still too early to say he who has the red whip in hand must 'go' along with Pintard?"
Pintard should have also seriously considered resigning from Save The Bays.
Tarzan 8 years, 1 month ago
Tal you are beyond belief. What has Save the Bays done to offend you? Do you think it's right for foreigners like Peter Nygard to bribe their way into ruination of the environment and the coopting of legitimate government authority? There is not one speck of evidence backing up the irresponsible allegations about Save the Bays engaging in political acts or trying to destabilize the current P.M.. Are you seriously telling me that all Bahamians should not admire a man like Joe Darville who has given his life to education and to bettering his homeland? Get a life outside blind pandering to the worst elements of the PLP.
Honestman 8 years, 1 month ago
Decent and honest Bahamians will certainly not vote for the PLP next May but they need a party and a leader that everyone can get behind. The FNM is imploding. Pintard has gone and Minnis should take this opportunity to do likewise. The FNM is clearly split but surely there is someone within the FNM ranks with leadership quality that could unite the party post Minnis? This is such a critical time for the FNM and for the country.
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
...../////https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHNpr...">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHNpr...
bluesky 8 years, 1 month ago
Pintard is a little fish that got swallowed by the big sharks. a case of the little boy playing with the big boys, what did he expect? The first to be tossed under the bus. whose next?
iamcitizen 8 years, 1 month ago
Question: How can anyone who regions from public office for being engaged in dishonorable acts, become honorable upon his/her resignation as a consequence of having committed those dishonorable acts?????? Only in The Bahamas!!!!!!*
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Are you blind to what has gone on in the PLP Cabinet for the past 40 years????????? .......... and those were not simply allegations
John 8 years, 1 month ago
When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses. John F. Kennedy .
Because power corrupts, society's demands for moral authority and character increase as the importance of the position increases. John Adams . The story being told in 'Star Wars' is a classic one. Every few hundred years, the story is retold because we have a tendency to do the same things over and over again. Power corrupts, and when you're in charge, you start doing things that you think are right, but they're actually not. George Lucas .
Then there is kalik.
Emac 8 years, 1 month ago
LOL-"Then there is kalik"
EasternGate 8 years, 1 month ago
When is Brave gonna carry his fat greasy ass? Time for Minnis to exit with dignity by calling a convention
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 1 month ago
WE MUST HAVE A COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY AND AN FNM CONVENTION FOLLOWED BY A PLP FUNERAL Time ain't long as it was and bullfrog ain't got no wing !
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrades wasn't this Pintard's second stint up in the red chamber as a senator?
birdiestrachan 8 years, 1 month ago
Of course his resignation is an admission of guilt. Mr: Roberts did ask him to resign now he has done so. Young men, from all over the Bahamas should run when they see Pintard for fear of being entrapped. .After all is said and done Minnis is not a wise man. Watch him, listen to him Mr: Joe Darville has lost his way he has become the disciple of a wild and crazy mad man. As for greedy? ask Pintard how much money did he receive for his work with BOO,Boo and the other guy.
DEDDIE 8 years, 1 month ago
I am anxiously waiting to see if anyone from the PLP would do like wise.
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Jesus's resurrection after his death by crucifixion will be commemorated by Christians
on March 27, but not Pintard's political career.
I had predicated on day one of this caper hitting the Tribune pages that a number of small and much bigger fish - political and professional careers crucifixions - will succumb as this Nygardgate caper is played out before the courts and public.
Talk on street is the public may get see a Banker nailed cross.
I sure hope both the PLP's, red shirts and professionals does get to be served their menu selections for their last meals.
by TalRussell
pablojay 8 years, 1 month ago
Birdie you are really an ass x2 ! You said that Bradley did ask him to resign and that now he has done so.WOW! He has the power to make an FNM Senator and party chairman resign? If he is that powerful, it is my suggestion that you ask him to put some sense in your head. If he is successful in doing so, he can walk on water also.
John 8 years, 1 month ago
So the cleansing has begun, or has it? Referring to The prophesies of Dr. Miles Munroe. For we move not but by sight but by faith, amen.
Observer 8 years, 1 month ago
Why are the brothers and sisters who support the national mess that Pintard was/is involved in? When and where were the 'hate' rallies executed? 'Hate' rallies is a term that originated in the DEEP SOUTH, USA. Bahamians don't conduct 'hate' rallies. We love our genuine brothers and sisters. But HELL will freeze hard before the gatekeepers who are among us allow ham or bacon to mess with our sovereignity. Those who are shouting nation for sale are themselves the salespeople. Every rope has two ends. Go figure that.
John 8 years, 1 month ago
So Marco Rubio was the senator from Florida who organized the protests against the Bahamas in front of the cruise ports and other places in support of the Cubans. Now he got the beating of his life in his home state of Florida. Protest that!
happyfly 8 years, 1 month ago
Has anyone ever resigned from the PLP with respect to them being connected to unappropriated political behavior ? This is a serious question ?
The sad thing is that the only real affect of an independent Bahamas was taking away Britain's power to sack parliament. The PLP sold us all that majority rule and independence were the same thing but the reality is that majority rule was freedom for the people. Independence was freedom for the politicians
BahamaPundit 8 years, 1 month ago
I would venture to say Independence was the worst mistake The Bahamas ever made. It would be 1,000 times richer and the people 1,000 times better off if it was still a collony, because there would then be a system of accountability and checks and balances.
BMW 8 years, 1 month ago
AMEN pundit Amen
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Chippie is now the new leader red shirts party?
by TalRussell
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