Chief Justice Could Be Ousted for Ties to Bacon

The new Bahamas administration is reportedly putting some pressure on current Chief Justice Michael Barnett to resign.  CJ Barnett was appointed under the former administration, the Free National Movement party, but his tenure thus far hasn't gone smoothly.  In fact, he has been under the suspicion of dealing with court matters that he should not, due to the fact that it could be seen as a conflict of interest.

The Progressive Liberal Party Government is making as many changes as necessary to get tough on a crime rate, which was spiraling out of control under the former administration.  PLP advisors say the most recent conflict of interest allegation against the CJ should be the last straw for him and he should resign from such a significant post in the justice system.

The most recent allegation is really, just an old one that has resurfaced.  It stems from an issue centered on a financial transaction that Sir Michael allegedly handled while he was the Attorney General.  While the powers that be debate that issue, we'd like to remind them of Sir Michael's behavior as it pertains to the case of two foreign investors, Peter Nygard and Louis Bacon.

Chief Justice Michael Barnett

The obvious bias that the FNM extended towards Mr. Bacon even when he was caught in wrongdoing is flabbergasting.  The former administration had the then AG John Delaney sign off on a nolle prosequi to throw out a legitimate case of defamation and conspiracy against Bacon, but in their haste, all of the other defendants' names were included on that document except Mr. Bacon's.

Sir Michael is caught up in the issue because he was formerly a part of Bacon's legal team, Graham Thompson & Co, before coming into the public justice system.  Meanwhile, his daughter has taken up the case against Nygard for Graham Thompson & Co.  This is seen as a big conflict of interest and too close to home, especially when Nygard's legal team has made complaints that have even been reported in the media about all of the dodgy actions happening in the courts as they try to push forward their case.

Nygard and Bacon have been locked in court battles ever since Bacon moved into Point House, the neighboring property to Nygard Cay.  An excited Bacon started extending and building up his property.  In one instance, he utilized the roadway, which is designed to be a shared roadway for the residents, and build up his easement in such a way that he commandeered the roadway for himself.  This led to much confusion as Nygard's guests had trouble finding their way around the new layout.  It was obvious that Nygard had been left with nothing but a small pathway leading to his entrance gate.

It is for this reason that "To Nygard Cay" signs were created, for the benefit of guests.  Yet, Mr. Bacon took that matter to court seeking to have those signs removed, even though he no longer lives at Point House and has it up for sale for some $85 million.  His exit from the Bahamas left a trail of cloudy smoke behind, as people try to figure out why one Bahamian foreign resident had so much power with the former administration.

Nygard Optimistic about Rebuilding Dream Home

Peter Nygard, internationally-acclaimed fashion designer, has a positive outlook on the future of the Bahamas for investors now that the new administration is settling in.  The Progressive Liberal Party reclaimed the reigns of power from the Free National Movement on May 7, 2012, with the widespread support of the public, who viewed the FNM as a discriminating government that did not lay out an equal playing field for citizens and investors.

There were hopes as bright as the golden colors of the PLP when they first came into power, but the wheels turned much more slowly than they expected, after finding out just how much damage the former administration had done. But now, it appears that the government is forging ahead with its plans that had begun execution during the 2002 - 2007 reign.  Those plans left wide open invitations for foreign investors to consider the Bahamas a place worthy of investing.  They were and are looking for the type of investor who will not see the Bahamas as just a playing field to frolic in the sun.  They wanted people who would fall in love with the country and its people, and become a meaningful part in the nation's growth, as so many investors successfully did during the 25 years that the Father of the Nation Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling was at the helm.

Nygard is just this kind of investor.  For the past 20 years, he has proven a commitment to the Bahamas that should stand as a beacon for all other investors to follow.  His love for sports as led him to invest heavily in the national past time, regatta sailing.  He has sponsored camps for boxing prodigies; thrown heavy support behind volleyball athletes who wanted to specialize in beach volleyball; and supported the sport of tennis.  In addition, he has been a major source of inspiration for the Bahamas Olympic team, having given tens of thousands of dollars worth of personal cheques to Olympians like the Golden Girls.  They received an additional $2,500 each from him on their anniversary.  Most recently, Nygard was one of several private benefactors who gave cash gifts to the 2012 London Olympians the Golden Knights.  

Nygard, the Golden Girls, and former  Minister of Sports Desmond Bannister

He is optimistic about the future for the Bahamas and investors like him because of the youthful and energetic cadre of Ministers that sit in the current seat of government.  Prime Minister Christie, he feels, made some good decisions such as placing Khaalis Rolle and Ryan Pinder to take care of financial and investment matters; placing a revolutionary like Jerome Fitzgerald to head education; having a young veteran like Obie Wilchcombe lend his years of experience to the Tourism industry once again; giving Ken Dorsette the leverage to manage the way forward for energy; and so many others.

Surely, fresh and unbiased views in the Cabinet should lead to better choices when it comes to deciding on investment matters.  In this case, Nygard was unfairly denied permission to rebuild his home by the FNM after a mysterious fire damaged a large portion of his home, which was once the subject of television shows and magazines, highlighting the Bahamas and his magical home.  He is prepared to spend $20 million and employ a minimum of 300 Bahamians over the three year-period it will take to rebuild Nygard Cay.  

Hopefully the Government sees the wisdom in making good on its principles with investors, before ones like Nygard lose all faith in the country.