Possible criminal probe into ex TCI leader and ministers

03/07/2009 20:48:34

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Former Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Premier Michael Misick and four of his ministers could find themselves at the centre of a criminal investigation.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, July 3, 2009 – Former Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Premier Michael Misick and four of his ministers could find themselves at the centre of a criminal investigation. That’s one of the recommendations contained in the final report of a Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption by the former government.

While the document has not yet been made public, Governor Gordon Wetherell issued a statement yesterday in which he indicated that Commissioner Sir Robin Auld had recommended the criminal probe to determine whether the five were involved in illegal acts, including selling off Crown land to developers for personal gain.

He said the report also confirms the recommendations made in the interim report.

“In his Interim Report, the Commissioner found there was information in abundance pointing to a high probability of systemic corruption or serious dishonesty. In Sir Robin’s view this, together with clear signs of political amorality and immaturity and of general administrative incompetence, demonstrated a need for urgent suspension in whole or in part of the Constitution and for other legislative and administrative reforms,” Wetherell said.

“In that Report, the Commissioner has confirmed that nothing that has happened since he submitted his Interim Report has prompted him to change his original view. His close examination of the information and evidence before the Inquiry has reinforced, not weakened, his conviction of a need for urgent and wide-ranging systemic change.”

Wetherell said while he had hoped to publish the final report by now, since receiving it on May 31st, legal proceedings brought by two developers in TCI, Dr Cem Kinay and Mario Hoffman, who were named in the report and are challenging it, has put a stumbling block in the way. Legal proceedings are also ongoing in the United Kingdom, relating to the Order in Council made on March 18th which would suspend parts of the TCI Constitution.

“Consequently I hope to publish a redacted version of the final report as soon as possible. I remain firmly committed to publishing the full report and will continue to defend the legal challenges and appeals so that I can do so. I strongly believe that the people of TCI deserve to see the entirety of the final report,” the TCI Governor said, adding that he was determined to push forward with the implementation of recommendations in the Final Report that do not depend on entry into force of the Order in Council.

“In order to ensure that good governance can be re-established as swiftly as possible in the TCI, I have therefore begun, with the full support and assistance of the UK Government, to appoint experts to work in areas of concern highlighted in the final report. These include a Special Adviser to the Governor to oversee reform of the Public Service; three Public Finance Management Advisers; an Economic Adviser; a Good Governance Adviser; and a Crown Land Adviser. Direct support for my office has also been increased with the appointment of an additional senior official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” he said.

Governor Wetherell said that a Special Prosecutor and Head of the Civil and Criminal Recovery Unit, and a Senior Investigating Officer have also been identified.

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