Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald discussed emails involving Save the Bays in Parliament last year.
By NICO SCAVELLA
Tribune Staff Reporter
nscavella@tribunemedia.net
MARATHON MP Jerome Fitzgerald yesterday accused Save The Bays of being nothing more than a “political organisation” that is seeking to “overthrow” the Progressive Liberal Party government “under the guise of an environmental group”.
Mr Fitzgerald charged that STB, along with its directors and numerous other local and international associates, have used the organisation’s banner to cover up its true intent, which he claimed is to “destabilise the government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”
He alleged that Free National Movement Chairman Michael Pintard, who is linked to the group, was paid “well over $100,000” for his involvement.
However, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis defended Mr Pintard.
“The chairman has admitted that he was like independent citizens, employed by a particular agency, for which he would have been receiving salaries like any other private citizen. That salary we would not know,” Dr Minnis said.
Mr Fitzgerald also accused the group of being involved in a “hustle” to entrap Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard in a criminal plot.
Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell also chimed in on the situation yesterday, claiming that some $8.25m has been filtered through various organisations connected with STB - locally and internationally - from 2013 to 2015. Although he could not say what the $8m was for, Mr Mitchell questioned whether STB is a “genuine environmental organisation” or an “attempt to subvert” certain parliamentarians.
The claims by both PLP parliamentarians come amidst a controversy stemming from an ongoing feud between two Lyford Cay residents: Mr Nygard and his billionaire neighbour Louis Bacon concerning STB’s opposition to ongoing development of Nygard Cay. Mr Bacon is one of STB’s directors.
The controversy has become fiercely political. However, following allegations that Mr Nygard donated $5m to the PLP in the run up to the last general election, as well as claims from the PLP that senior FNM members have connections with STB.
Yesterday, Mr Mitchell sought to connect the dots as to how STB obtains its funding.
He claimed that the Moore Charitable Trust, of which Mr Bacon is president, allegedly funds international environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance, which in turn funds Waterkeeper Bahamas, which in turn funds STB.
Upon reaching STB, the funds are allegedly controlled by STB Director Fred Smith, QC, through the law firm where he practices, Callenders & Co, and then allegedly disbursed by an accounting firm by cheque.
One individual employed by STB, Mr Mitchell claimed, receives $90,000 per year, while an “artist” receives $150,000 per year. However, he did not state what they were being paid for.
“I wish also to say that from what I have seen, some $8.25m has been sent through the mechanisms that I have described from the year 2013 to the end of 2015,” Mr Mitchell said. “This is an enormous sum of money and what has recently caused alarm is that persons have come to me and said there’s going to be a doubling of the money spent.
“The question the Parliament must ask is whether or not this is a genuine environmental organisation or an attempt to subvert the members of this House and our democracy,” Mr Mitchell said.
Mr Fitzgerald also accused STB of launching a campaign to further its agenda through expensive ad wraps in The Tribune. He also read emails he said were circulated to those connected to STB. Those emails were tabled in the House.
He also claimed that local advocacy group Justice for Marathon, which is aimed at bringing awareness to Marathon residents in the aftermath of the 2011 Rubis gas spill, is actually just another brainchild of the STB movement to advance its political agenda and remove the PLP from governance.
He said his claims about STB largely stemmed from last year’s town hall meeting at the Grace Community Church to address the number of households affected by the Rubis fuel spill, which he claimed was more of an “FNM rally.”
Mr Fitzgerald said his suspicions were confirmed after seeing several high profile FNM members and/or associates present, one of whom he claimed was Romauld Ferreira, a STB director who was recently chosen as the FNM’s candidate for the Marathon constituency.
Mr Fitzgerald also said he was suspicious about who was funding the Justice for Marathon group, a question he said was answered after seeing Mr Ferreira and Mr Smith present at the 2015 meeting and then connecting it with the present controversy.
“I been trying to figure out where this money came from, and lo and behold, this Save The Bays and Fred Smith (are) all a part of this big plan to destabilise the government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, overthrow it, and use foreign funds to overthrow the government under the guise of the environment,” Mr Fitzgerald said yesterday.
On March 9, an affidavit by Florida investigator John Joseph DiPaolo to investigate Mr Nygard’s connection to self-proclaimed criminals Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma was filed in the Supreme Court.
Mr DiPaolo’s findings, contained in a 400-page affidavit, was part of court filings against Mr Nygard and his lawyer Keod Smith by four STB directors - Joseph Darville, Mr Ferreira, Mr Smith and Mr Bacon - and Reverend CB Moss, who is not a STB member.
They allege Mr Nygard hired the two “gang members” to carry out crimes against those who opposed further development at Nygard Cay. A spokesman for Mr Nygard has since said the claims are false adding that his attorneys have turned over new evidence to the police to investigate.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 1 month ago
Jerome "claimed" and Jerome "said"...
Any actual evidence?
lolololol!!
Typical PLP.....
observer2 8 years, 1 month ago
...if only he could fight this hard when dealing with the D average of our school system.
killemwitdakno 8 years, 1 month ago
Think our Minister of Education is experiencing slight paranoia ..
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
He is Educating you.
realfreethinker 8 years, 1 month ago
These guys are losing it. Say "overthrow the Gov" how lousy can a gov be that a couple of environmentalist can overthrow them. Real jokers. DISTRACTION
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
I would say that the Hon. Minister's position is both intellectually challenging and challenged.
Economist 8 years, 1 month ago
This will only further to distract from the big problem at hand "the Bahamian Economy and the National Debt".
Focus people, focus.....economy.....jobs......national debt.
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
I don't think it does. The mess we are in with all the items you list, is BECAUSE of the corruption in this country.
cmiller 8 years, 1 month ago
The damage to the PLP was done by the words coming out of Nygard's mouth, dummy!!! And you call yourself minister of what????
BMW 8 years, 1 month ago
The whole ruling party is getting very parinoid as they should because as they say "da fowl comin home to roost". It will be entertaining to seecthe flim flam that will be spewed from their mouths.
EasternGate 8 years, 1 month ago
Agree
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
The funny part about the whole situation is that all the dirty players come out of the woodwork over nothing. no charges, no court decision. All Bacon & Co did, was throwing an old weathered bone to the pack of dogs and the are killing each other over it. Big Movie, this is. Very efficient strategy by Bacon & Co. and I bet this is only the beginning and it will end with a new Government in Place and charges, shunning and legal, social, economic and political embarrassment for the whole political class in the Bahamas.
realfreethinker 8 years, 1 month ago
Man Grassroot you are so right.They were caught off guard now all of a sudden Fred them want to overthrow the gov. Fritzy really gone over board on this one. If they had evidence of such a plot,why is it just coming out ?
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
by TalRussell
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
very true. may end up with indictments for DPM, PM, Fred & Co in the U.S. for money laundering. Am sure the money that was spread around was not taxed in Canada.
SP 8 years ago
If they'er fool enough to invite the FBI to investigate, they will be opening themselves up to scrutiny in several other areas as well that they really want to keep under wraps! They are using the usual old smoke and mirrors routine "talking" about the FBI because they suddenly find themselves between a big rock and a very hard place.
EasternGate 8 years, 1 month ago
Fitzgerald is a piece of shit associated with a cesspool cabinet. These SOBs can publish private citizens salaries, yet they wont' provide campaign funding from Mohammed Harajchi; Peter Nygard; Numbers boys. Additionally, they continue to break the law every year by refusing to disclose...This evil regime spent 15 million on the Carnival debacle, and a year later refuse to account for public money, yet they can talk about a decent Bahamian making 100 K a year. Fitzgerald, kiss your own.....!
Sickened 8 years, 1 month ago
Mr. Fitzgerald, ALL sensible Bahamians are trying to overthrow your government. You guys and gals are useless and corrupt to the very core of your beings.
John 8 years, 1 month ago
Louis Bacon, Fred Smith, Michael Pintard, Peter Nygard. And others must all be severely disciplined !Such a disgrace! You cannot clean up corruption with murderous plots and bribery and goons! And $15,000.00 allegedly spent a week to brainwash Bahamians and %4 million to bribe the PM..an I still broke?
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 1 month ago
Yes! Get those permits for the real FBI by next week and investigate all incoming and outgoing transactions at local banks for any member of the govt. excellent suggestion.
GrassRoot 8 years, 1 month ago
Who can. I mean who can clean up corruption in this land? Seriously.
Space 8 years, 1 month ago
How are you attempting to group a man who tried to BUY THE GOVERNMENT... with some people who placed articles to try and make the Bahamian public AWARE of the fact that the aforementioned was trying to buy the government...? You see how that doesn't work?
MonkeeDoo 8 years, 1 month ago
“I wish also to say that from what I have seen, some $8.25m has been sent through the mechanisms that I have described from the year 2013 to the end of 2015,” Mr Mitchell said. Funny he couldn't find any information on Nygard's financial mechanisms a year earlier ! Between January and May 2012 ! But my guess is that this 5 Million went into personal bank accounts and not party accounts as a few say they didn't get !!!
"Topple the Government" as if that is a criminal activity ? It is the bounden duty of the Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition to oppose the Government and if, by opposing, the Government is toppled then the Opposition has done its job. You all could see the tide coming up around your bloody necks now, and you know it won't be long now. And then the Commission of Enquiry and who guilty, goin' up so to chill.
jus2cents 8 years, 1 month ago
What is he on about!? The Government is toppling itself, they don't need any help from 'activists'.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
Agreed ............... BOL ................ will the Chinese bail the PLP out?????
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
And to think that this is the fella who suppose to come up with the Freedom of Information Act 2.0 ................... what a big joke
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Occh!!
EasternGate 8 years, 1 month ago
Now we understand why this vomit smeared PLP Government refuses to regularize NIA. These SOBs spying on Bahamians with impunity!. That's how they got the emails. This Gestapo NIA know the identity of all of us who use this comment section!
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
They can just call up their "boy" ............. Leon Williams??????????
TalRussell 8 years, 1 month ago
Comrade Jerome is a senor crown cabinet minister, so it shouldn't come as a revelation to him that he need only call up the USA’s National Security Agency (NSA) who have for years intercepted and recorded Bahamamaland’s telephone calls.
Minister Jerome whatever you want the IRS and FBI to find out, the contents of every phone call dialed or received within Bahamaland is already stored in the National Security Agency’s (NSA) vast database, the contents of effectively every phone call dialed or received within Bahamaland…calls that analysts can listen to them at will after the fact.
We are talking about every call made by tourists, residents, business owners, shop clerks, maids, lawyers, accountants, doctors, school teaches, PM and his cabinet ministers and yes - even the preacherman's, Lyford Cay residents, drug dealers and hookers and government officials and employees of all grades. Start to worry, because if you’re guilty of sweet heart cheating on your spouse, or crooking your business partner and you chatted on the phone - yep, NSA got the whole juicy chats recorded.
Comrades it would not surprise me to learn that the United kingdom and China are also listening-in to calls.
by TalRussell
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
The AG should move expeditiously with that FBI invite
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 1 month ago
I hope Jeff Lloyd is getting into politics and I hope he gets position of party leader in the FNM with Dr Sands as his deputy . I then hope that Bran sees this as a positive change and forms a coalition with the FNM.
I don't have a party affiliation, and no disrespect to Dr Minnis (seriously), but I don't like where this present govt has been or where it's going. They are morphing into a soft version of Nazi Germany. Spying on your private citizens? Digging through emails of your political rivals on a fishing expedition? Remember Darren Cash? Attacking private citizens in parliament where you have immunity from prosecution? And what of the Bahamians accepting the orders to carry out the spying? "I was just following orders"
The Schutzstaffel (SS; also stylized as with Armanen runes; German pronunciation: [ˈʃʊtsˌʃtafəl]; literally "Protection Squadron") was a major paramilitary organization under Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP; Nazi Party). It began with a small guard unit known as the Saal-Schutz ("Hall-Protection") made up of NSDAP volunteers to provide security for Nazi PARTY meetings in Munich. In 1925, Heinrich Himmler joined the unit, which had by then been reformed and given its final name. Under Himmler's direction (1929–45), it grew from a small paramilitary formation to one of the most powerful organizations in the Third Reich. From 1929 until Nazi Germany's collapse in 1945, the SS was the foremost agency of surveillance AND terror within Germany and German-occupied Europe. - Wikipedia
Surveillance AND terror, what a combination
sheeprunner12 8 years, 1 month ago
True dat
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
The data protection commissioner needs to speak up. Shouting "national security" is not sufficient to dig in emails or listen to phone calls. They need to cite specific information that makes them believe this is a national security issue. "Im at war with Nygard and Nygard paid the PLP in exchange for a lease or Nygard is in a plot with Bobo to kill me and Bobo is very close to the DPM" is not evidence
1voice 8 years ago
I am of the wholehearted agreement that the Data Commissioner should be already onboard with this issue. A sitting Cabinet Minister CANNOT read from illegally obtained documents in the house and expect any protection just because he is there. I call these documents ILLEGAL because their source has not been verified and I really don't think that any of the parties involved gave them to him and other members of the PLP. Any person hearing this has to surmise that the PLP government asked or paid someone to hack into the Save The Bays (STB) system which is clearly a breach. And if they did not they need to say where the documents came from. As a democratic nation (which is really a joke!) this seriously needs to be addressed and the powers that be (not the politicians) need to set an example of the persons in breach of our laws.
Zakary 8 years ago
A sitting Cabinet Minister CANNOT read from illegally obtained documents in the house and expect any protection just because he is there.
That’s the thing, the minister used to privilege of the House of Assembly to disseminate these documents and most likely his speech is protected.
berryj 7 years, 10 months ago
The controversy has become fiercely political. However, following allegations that Mr Nygard donated $5m to the PLP in the run up to the last general election, as well as claims from the PLP that senior FNM members have connections with STB. Have a look at http://www.simonsholidays.us/">India Tours where you will truly discover India.
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