By AVA TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FNM Chairman Darron Cash yesterday criticised Golden Gates MP Shane Gibson over his accusations that previous FNM administrations fast-tracked residency applications of former criminals.
Mr Cash charged that the FNM legacy is “intact” as no party minister had ever demitted office due to international scandal, referring to Mr Gibson’s resignation in 2007 amidst controversy over his relationship with the late Anna Nicole Smith.
“When it comes to scandals, Mr Shane Gibson and the PLP are in a league all by themselves” Mr Cash said.
“When compromising pictures surfaced of Shane Gibson in intimate positions with Anna Nicole Smith, including pictures with Ms Smith in her bed,” said Mr Cash, Mr Gibson resigned to the great regret of Mr Christie.
During his contribution to the stem cell debate in the House, Mr Gibson cited two men with criminal pasts whose residency applications were approved in less than a month; and one man who received a homeowners card despite failing background checks by two separate agencies.
The first, Derek Turner, whom Mr Gibson claimed received permanent residence status less than a month after an application was filed on October 19, 2001. Mr Gibson pointed out that the family of FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner invested with Mr Turner, who was later convicted of wire fraud.
The second man named was Martin Tremblay. Mr Gibson said that Mr Tremblay’s application was also approved within less than a month in 1994, despite the fact that he had not yet purchased a home. In 2007, Mr Tremblay was convicted of laundering the proceeds of drug sales and tax evasion.
Mr Gibson pointed to the homeowner’s card granted to Bodo August Schnabel, a man jailed for insider trading and fraud. Mr Gibson said that reports from the Security and Intelligence Branch and the Financial Intelligence Unit determined that Mr Schnabel should have been placed on the restricted list; however, it was granted through directives by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Brent Symonette.
Mr Gibson added that the FNM also welcomed Ronald Kelly, a former Catholic priest turned investor who pleaded guilty to sexual assault of five teenage boys in 1979.
On Wednesday, Mr Gibson called the Opposition party “elitist” and “hypocritical” for its stance against stem cell legislation, and charged that there was a double standard for the PLP and the FNM.
Yesterday, Mr Cash said Mr Gibson’s relationship with the Playboy playmate nearly brought down the entire Christie government in dishonour, “singlehandedly”.
Mr Cash said: “Mr. Gibson became known around the world as ‘Anna, dis Shane’ the PLP Government Minister with the extra special and cozy relationship with the former adult movie star and Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith. It would later be discovered that Minister Gibson expedited Anna Nicole’s immigration applications and received gifts and treats from the Playboy playmate.”
Mr Cash said: “It is therefore a source of amusement and a display of blatant shamelessness that Shane Gibson would fix his mouth to spin tall tales about the persons who received approval for permanent residency under the FNM.
He added: “The FNM legacy is intact. No FNM Minister of Government ever had to resign due to international scandals. That distinction is reserved for Mr. Gibson. Fortunately for him he is not alone. The Korean boats scandal and stacks of United States dollars hidden in bedroom closets and gold-plated BMW cars are the legacy of the PLP.”
Comments
TalRussell 10 years, 8 months ago
My, my how is it that only when the red shirts are badly defeated (all but wiped out) that their arrogance disappears. But my dear Comrades if you're ready to buy what "second-time around" Chairman Darron is peddling, you're pretty damn stupid. Even Abaco's Edison doesn't believe Darron. What momentarily disappears when they need you will reappear with these red shirts. Their pure arrogance against Bahamalanders.is never far removed from how they will act with power. You know I speak the truth. A footnote: Edison knows how to consistently win his House seat, regardless if on a PLP or FNM ticket. Daron talks a lot ... but can't get Bahamalanders to vote for him to sit in the House. I wonder why?
concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
when the "gentlemen" was minister of housing btw 2002 and 2005 ,,he went to a friend of my dad ,a foriegn contractor at atlantis and offered to get him straight with a front and wanted him to built 200 low cost homes ,,he wanted 7,500 kick back on each home ,,when the contractor asked my Dad ,my Pop told him don,t do it ,,,in the end your ripping off the bahamian public and then they will hang you out to dry ,,,
banker 10 years, 8 months ago
I won't even use the word gentleman because it is too big of a lie for this snaggle-tooth piece of garbage that masquerades as a minister of the crown. Not only did he consort with a porn star, but mysteriously after a very short period with access to public funds, his half brother who ran a small business, is rich and can purchase a piece of land in excess of ten million, It's a miracle, without the preacher in the Bentley or private jet. Praise be the deity of your choice.
concernedcitizen 10 years, 8 months ago
Notice Banker i put gentlemen in quotation marks ,,,,,,,,,,,,,
jackflash 10 years, 8 months ago
How True,
And the ABACO fishermen had to deal with the Korean Boat turned treasure hunter on the Little Bahama bank as they raped the waters and the environment looking for treasure.
My brother and I were chased away from what we call the canon wreck (pile of canons and anchor chain) behind Lilly Bank because they were looking for treasure. That man Jasper Nabb aka Peguas is now a guest o the US in Federal prison. PGC flew in Nabbs plane and was on the Korean Boat at the shipyard in Freeport and I would think also received campaign financing and gifts...
Just ask any Abaco fisherman from Green Turtle Cay about that big Korean boat at Lilly bank and how the canon wreck is gone!
They will tell you...
spoitier 10 years, 8 months ago
This is just a case of the cream calling the milk white.
jackbnimble 9 years, 6 months ago
Let's face it. No matter who is in power the Bahamas has a big sign that will always read: "NATION FOR SALE"!
SP 10 years, 8 months ago
The FNM need to bring HUbert Ingraham back to their circus of clowns. Then we could make the first Bahamian reality show for cartoon network and name the show "Jackass's one and all"
banker 10 years, 8 months ago
Too late. Perry Christie already stars in that role along with the entire PLP.
GQ 10 years, 8 months ago
FYI: Edison Key did not win his seat in ABACO it was won by of the best organization in any constituency in the Bahamas.
Tal you need to get your head from up your rear end when you talk about ABACO.
proudloudandfnm 10 years, 8 months ago
Shane Gibson's daughter was married at Nygard Cay last year. Anyone here actually think Shane paid for that wedding?
holymoly 9 years, 6 months ago
This is a very interesting article! When it comes to politics, everything is possible. The competition is fierce and many candidates are able to commit illegal acts to get the position they want. Some of them are involved in scandals and they hire the best lawyers such as those from http://bostonmassdefense.com/">http://bostonmassdefense.com in order to defend them. However there are politicians that are honest and able to do everything in order to defend their country.
PKMShack 9 years, 6 months ago
They all learned from the best LOP I sat in the commission of inquiry as a child. So who can out do that guy.
NoNoNo 9 years, 6 months ago
I know right.
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holymoly 9 years, 6 months ago
Being a politician is not an easy job as there is a great competition and politicians usually use all the means in order to win. A great part of the politicians are involved sooner or later in different scandals. For instance, there were a lot of cases of corruption among politicians and some of them were found guilty while the others, after requesting http://www.mrichardsconsulting.com/ar...">expert witness services proved to be innocent.
holymoly 9 years, 5 months ago
This article reflects very well the world of politics. There are a lot of politicians with criminal past who were accepted in different parties. It is true that some of them prooved to be innocent after long trials, with the help of some great lawyers like those from http://www.louisgoodman.com/">http://www.louisgoodman.com/.
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