Police Commissioner says the allegations are being taken seriously.
Illustrations: Yesha Townsend
Police have yet to question key people alleged to be involved in official corruption.
And more than a year has passed since the Bermuda Police Service announced an investigation into the so-called “JetGate” affair.
Police also say they are investigating corruption claims by developer Michael MacLean –made a year ago on talk radio – that improper demands were made of him for support of his efforts to build a hotel in the City of Hamilton and the redevelopment of the waterfront.
“Both incidents remain under police investigation however due to the difficulty and sensitivity of both investigations no further information will be released,” said a police spokesman.
In an email this afternoon, Deputy Governor Ginny Ferson told us: “I am assured by the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police that the allegations you refer to are being investigated. It would not be appropriate for Government House to comment further.”
But our inquiries indicate that the Bermuda Government legislators now named in a sworn statement by MacLean in connection with these allegations have not been questioned by the Police.
MacLean was also not contacted by the Police for questioning about his now year-old allegations.
He has, however, been questioned to corroborate claims made by Opposition Leader Marc Bean in May this year.
MacLean fleshed out his corruption claims in a leaked sworn affirmation filed in the Supreme Court last week.
We reached out to all three legislators named in his affidavit but only one – former Attorney General Mark Pettingill – would comment on the record.
He told us that the information relating to himself was false.
“Its complete and utter nonsense. Absolutely nothing is true in relation to me,” said Pettingill on Tuesday.
“Its all a matter before the court and it needs to be addressed before the court.”
One Minister named in the affidavit threatened legal action against us in response to our request for comment.
“I am writing to you to put you on notice that the affidavit contains unfounded allegations, based entirely on hearsay or second hand hearsay, which are highly defamatory of persons in public office, including the Minister. The allegations are wholly false and untrue and will be dealt with in the fullness of time in the proceedings that are now before the Supreme Court,” said lawyer Alan Dunch in an email sent to us on Monday.
See full letter below:
Minister of Home Affairs (Text)
We ignored, without consequence, Dunch’s deadline in his ultimatum to us to undertake not to publish.
It is understood that the legislators have sworn affidavits denying their involvement.
While MacLean’s corruption claims are contained in a sworn statement, they have not been challenged or heard in court.
MacLean’s statement is in support of a constitutional challenge against the Government for rejecting his agreements with the City of Hamilton to develop the waterfront. He is also seeking an injunction to prevent the waterfront being used for the America’s Cup.
Government has asked the court to squash the challenge saying it is an abuse of process and that MacLean had already agreed to go to arbitration to settle the matter.
Politica has studied the document and supporting materials over the past week and made numerous inquiries. We have been unable to independently verify some of the information.
In a previous affidavit MacLean has stated that Steven DeCosta, a friend of former Premier Craig Cannonier, who played a key role in the “JetGate” affair was the middleman in the negotiations with Government about his projects – a $350 million hotel development and a $1.7 billion waterfront redevelopment project.
DeCosta did not respond to multiple emails and telephone calls seeking comment for our story.
The Police are leaving no stone unturned to get to the root of the matter. Here the waterfront itself is being questioned.
Meanwhile, Premier Michael Dunkley has rubbished the allegations in an email to his party which said the MacLean affidavit was the action of a “desperate” man who was being investigated by the Police.
MacLean was quick to respond last night.
“I am surprised Premier Dunkley would suggest that I am under Police investigation,” said MacLean in a text message.
“In fact, it was me who went to the Police immediately after Marc Bean made a complaint upon being suspended from the House. On that occasion I gave Police access to my bank accounts and telephone records as I have absolutely nothing to hide.
“I do believe the statement by Premier Dunkley is an attempt to shift the spotlight from his own cabinet Ministers’ bad behavior.
If maybe the Commissioner of Police can indicate whether I am under investigation, as I have nothing to hide.
“Maybe Premier Dunkley can advise all of Bermuda, whether the Police is now under control of the OBA, and likely to shift the bad behavior of the cabinet Ministers under the carpet, or is now trying to blame others.”
He added: “I have and will continue to cooperate fully with the Bermuda Police as I have nothing to hide.”
Bermuda Police Services launched a robust investigation when local media reported irregular payments out of a publicly funded housing corporation.
The investigation resulted in the conviction of property manager Terrence Smith for defrauding the quango, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said that elected officials’ activities were “unethical but not illegal”.
Leaked police files into the investigation which were published by the now defunct MidOcean News in 2007 revealed that then Premier Ewart Brown, former Premier Jennifer Smith, former Tourism Minister Renee Webb, and current MP Zane DeSilva and others, had been targets of the investigation.
That police investigation which ended in 2004 was triggered by Michael Dunkley then an Opposition MP by remarks he made in parliament about the BHC.
Dunkley complained that the property manager had been scapegoated and the Opposition later called for a Royal Commission into the scandal.
Police have assured the Governor that they are investigating the corruption claims. But none of the key players have been questioned – a year after MacLean made the allegations
This article belongs to Politica ! The original article can be found here: Governor: Police investigating corruption claims
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