AUTHORITIES have rearrested a former Urban Renewal official among others as part of an ongoing investigation by the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit, The Tribune understands.
Officer-in-charge of the unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle is expected to hold a press conference on the matter, according to the island's police press liaison officer, ASP Terecita Pinder.
On Tuesday, Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell decried the arrests, saying the party is aware "a number of individuals who worked out of Freeport in the public service and who are supporters of the PLP" were arrested.
"They plan to charge them in the courts in Nassau," Mr Mitchell said a statement released Tuesday. "The individuals are residents of Grand Bahama and another is one of our supporters in Nassau.
"This is a great shame and disgrace and an injustice. It is again slave shaming. The idea is to parade the individuals through the streets of Freeport, its airport and in Nassau to frighten those who support the PLP and intimidate those who wish to turn to the PLP. It is an entirely politically driven persecution.
"It appears also that this a direct result of egg on the faces of the FNM for botching and concocting the case against Frank Smith. It is an attempt to save face.
"Nothing can save the FNM. We hope that it is now clear to the country at large that we have a bloody minded, insensitive government with ice water running through their veins. After twenty months in office, the FNM will not stop and begin to govern but specialises in vendetta politics. He who sows the wind must reap a whirlwind. Each individual is being advised by counsel. We pray that justice will be done," the PLP senator added.
ASP Pinder did not confirm whether any arrests was made; however, sources close to the matter have told The Tribune one former UR official was taken into custody Tuesday morning.
The Tribune has withheld the name of the official at this time.
The official was arrested in August last year, and at the time, ACP Rolle declined further comment citing the sensitivity of the matter.
The person was questioned but released a short time later the same day, The Tribune was told.
Shortly after assuming office, the Minnis administration announced that Urban Renewal was one among many areas of government where a forensic audit would be conducted.
Several cases investigated by Anti-Corruption Unit have been brought before the courts, most notable are separate matters involving former Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet ministers Kenred Dorsett and Shane Gibson along with former PLP Senator Frank Smith respectively. Smith was acquitted last month.
The government has filed an appeal in the case.
For more on this story, see Wednesday's Tribune.
Comments
Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 2 months ago
The Anti-Corruption Unit needs to turn its attention to all of the illegal wheelin' and dealin' going on by current cabinet ministers, including the Dimwitted Minnis himself. LMAO
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 2 months ago
Both the liaison officer and me Mitchell are probably correct. The arrests were probably timed to take attention away from the frame smith debacle and some funny stuff seemed to have gone down in urban renewal as a whole. They need to find that Oban file
DDK 5 years, 2 months ago
"They" need properly educated, trained and non-corrupt police and court investigators! It's Comedy Central, a laugh a minute!
TalRussell 5 years, 2 months ago
Yes, or no in only case with judge pronouncing verdict on comrade PLP politician, the Judge decided the defendant PLP can leave her courtroom and not have board prison bus speedy ride Fox Hill.
First, if you're red AG, you try convict Her Majesty's loyal opposition politicians, and if that case results back-flip against your prosecution team, and against witness's credibility - why hell not try convict citizens working former PLP government.... Yes, no... not making this up?
Chucky 5 years, 2 months ago
anyone out there seen the facebook posts showing Mitchell with the young man in the bar off east street, haven`t seen the pictures in while and wonder did they get taken down, anyone know what happen
someone should re post the pictures if they have them, then the world can keep on seeing what some these guys do in their spare time......
UserOne 5 years, 2 months ago
I am no supporter of Fred Mitchell but it's no one's business what he does in his "spare time". What concerns me is what he does as a politician.
ThisIsOurs 5 years, 2 months ago
It's well known that Mr Mitchell is a gay man, it's hardly scandalous at this point. Him being gay doesn't take away from the point he's making. This action was taken for the same reason Smith and Gibson were originally charged. Distraction. I hope they did a proper investigation this time
BahamasForBahamians 5 years, 2 months ago
Yawns
heres how this is gonna go.
they will charge Michelle Reckley
She will be bonded out.
The case will fall flat.
The government will be held liable for her legal fees and punitive damages.
We've seen this play out less than weeks ago in The Frank Smith Case.
Can the FNM not see this DOES not work.
realfreethinker 5 years, 2 months ago
The real corruption is to see perry and his cronies protesting these people being charge with the theft of millons of our money but when the fella off the street steal a few hundred no one is there to support them.
sheeprunner12 5 years, 2 months ago
Why does "I Am Urban" Reckley take the fall for her former BOSS ............ Brave???????????
rawbahamian 5 years, 2 months ago
And we all know that the former ruling PLP were the most wholesome bunch of politicians that ever graced parliament, right ?
geostorm 5 years, 2 months ago
@rawbahamian, I don't understand why they continue to talk. They are a corrupt bunch and really need to go and hide themselves! They raped this country.
SP 5 years, 2 months ago
The FNM is equally as corrupt as the PLP. I wouldn't vote for either of them!
John 5 years, 2 months ago
The word on the street is over $10 Million is missing from this agency. What the Bahamian public wants is recovery of their tax revenue. What the Bahamian people do not want is another Frank Smith saga. They don’t want another episode where some hot shot team of QC lawyers are brought in at the expense of the taxpayers and not one single red cent is recovered. Not another situation where the ones (Duane Sands, Marvin Dames et. al.,) appear to be involved in more wheeling and ‘under the table’ agreements than the persons charged. The country is not prepared for another drunken stupor.
TigerB 5 years, 2 months ago
It is often said that where there is some there is fire, so here is some smoke...lets see how this one will turn out
ted4bz 5 years, 2 months ago
WHY? Why y’all so worked up? By now y’all should know this is just a public spectacle, a petty checker game, a silly showdown between the two nations, this is no check and balance. Not a thing coming out of this, so focus.
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