Airport irregularities not reported to corruption cops
(CNS): Following the dismissal of the chief financial officer of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority before Christmas and more recently its CEO, the police have confirmed that, despite various serious allegations, no complaints have been made to the anti-corruption or financial crime units. Without a complaint being submitted, the RCIPS said it is not able to initiate an investigation into the airport situation or any other public authority where corruption is being alleged. A report undertaken by the board revealed a catalogue of questionable activities at the airport over the last few years, from the misuse of a government credit card to theft, none of which has been reported to the police.
“We have not received any complaints in relation to that matter,” a police spokesperson said. ”Wehave seen several media reports and heard public commentary alleging corrupt conduct and financial irregularities within a number of public bodies and government agencies. However, until a formal complaint is made to the RCIPS we are unable to comment on the allegations or action an investigation. We would urge anyone who has information to come forward and contact the police or the Anti-Corruption Commission,” the police added.
Jeremy Jackson was suspended from his position in December when the board began an investigation. The issue remained under wraps for several weeks until the report was leaked to MLA Ezzard Miller, who passed the report to CNS as he had grave concerns that the authorities were attempting to either keep the entire situation secret or were planning to sweep the issue under the carpet.
In the wake of the leak, the board chair criticized Miller for giving the leaked confidential document to the press but, bowing to public pressure, the board then terminated Jackson, who had been on full pay.
Since then nothing more has been said about the serious allegations that were made against Jackson and other members of staff.
The question of the thefts that had taken place at the airport also remain unresolved. One staff member was dismissed, having been a suspect in connection with some $90,000 that had gone missing but the thefts continued after the woman was dismissed. Although the thefts were documented in the airport authority's annual reports, no reports were ever made and have still not been made to the police.
Under the anti-corruption law public servants, including board members, who are aware of corrupt behaviour by others in the public sector are obligated to raise the alarm with the appropriate authorities.
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Category: Crime
Yes Star what is really funny is how certain people cuddling with certain polictical figures who they believe will be the next government to get dey job back! If they so righteous you dont need that kind of help? But alas! thats how tings roll in dis ya townl and it helps if you are from the old boys network . You will always get promoted above your capability and highest officials in the land will always give you an audience and a sympathetic ear no matter how guilty you are! All those wondering why some appear immune to the law please read between the lines and dont be so naive No worries Braca one got promoted this week!
You sould change yo name To Bracass.. I have personally known Kurt Walton for over 20 years. He got promoted because he DESERVED it..NOT because of Juliana…Besides, everybody know..Juliana from Waterin Place and Kurt from Spot Bay so that should tell you all you need to know..
Conflict of interest members on the board! Move them all out!
Braca
In a group of criminals the only crime is when someone tells. Only then has a crime been commited. To them. Stop trying to make them see that they are stealing and arrest and prosecute them so they will stop. Did those in power ever stop the Gas card thefts? Any arrest? No right? Any change in gas thefts? Take a guess. In Cayman islands stealing from the peoplespurse is not a crime. Its a right. Or an intitlement. Always has been, And if nothing is changed, always will be. Change it or live with it. What the next government will do with it either way will as always show the true will of the people with the right (intitlement) to vote.
Plus, the Anti Corruption Law calls for those who are aware of wrong doing (possible corruption) to report it. It's been reported all over the news!
And the Police response here is someone needs to invite then to investigate? Seems the Commissioner of Police, the Attorney General, the Deputy Governor and the Governor are all negligent in their duties.
Either one could report it (officially if that's what they need) to the other. It is all over the news!
This amounts to using their energies to make excuses rather then to do their job!
If they had any suspicion of someone smoking a joint, it would be investigated immediately!
In the UK, if there is a suspicion of crime, I beleive the director of public prosecution can order an investigation even with no complaint. Public interest is to have this investigated. Get on with it please.
Have you all evern considered that maybe this has not been investigated into by the Corruption Office because more names will be exposed??
When you did a hole for someone, remember to dig one for yourself!
I am sure the board intends to turn in these documents!! My goodness give the board some credit they are the ones that uncovered all of this stuff!!
Only in Cayman boy can't win either way!!
I agree..it's only been THREE YEARS..I'm sure they're gonna be handing that report over any day now..
All you had to do was call Crimestoppers people! This corruption will continue as long as you say nothing.
and get a reward right?
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Please stop stealing my money – Expat
In the land of the blind…………….. everyone is blind!
Go knocking on the doors RCIP. Things smell a little funny around the airport area there and it ain't the dump. Check it out. Go and ask the Chairman what is going on and ask him if he'd like it investigated. If he says no, put it in the news for all to hear.
Can anyone say "Anti-Corruption Committee"??? Oh, that's right..it Costs TOO MUCH to fund it..
If police hear of a disturbance at a local bar they come running in full force to investigate and arrest the perpetrators.
Yet when it is publicly known that hundreds of thousands of dollars of public funds are unaccounted for even after being audited by an independent accounting firm, police still have to wait "to be called to the scene of the crime"?
White collar crime can be much more detrimental to a society than other crimes.
The police response and legal penalties should reflect the seriousness of these crimes.
Yeah, Chris. Why does the RCIP go running out when there's a fight or other disorderly conduct, or arrest a drunken driver when they run across one? How can they arrest someone if they "HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS IN RELATION TO THAT MATTER"? It sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. A crme is a crime and stealing is a crime, so come on, RCIP, do your job and stop hiding behind formalities!
Again are we surprised. This sort of thing has been going on for years, they don't report their friends. I would hope the attorney general would be able to pass this info on the the RCIP. XXXXX
This is the oldest excuse for police inaction in the book. The press reports to date are more than sufficient grounds for the Commissioner to order a police investigation into this if he wants to. If the CoP doesn't want to get involved the Governor or the Deputy Governor can also initiate action. Come on, get off your backsides and get this moving – that is after all what you get paid your nice fat salaries for doing.
Could that be because they don't want the police to uncover more corruption?
This sets a terrible presidence that if everyone keeps their mouths shut than nothing can be investigated. Why is an audit not being demanded by Cabinet… because someone, somewhere has their hand/s in all of this to be sure and has benefited from it.
WHAT…? The board's inaction in reporting thefts is merely a message that "we'll look after our own", so go for it, no consequences will apply.
What kind of Mickey Mouse people are appointed to run these boards…?
Keep my name outta ya mout!!!
“Come Watson, come! The game is afoot! Not a word! Into your clothes and come! ”
Dem think dem bigga than any la w
My goodness, wrongdoings not reported? This must be a first here in Cayman, surely?
Good one CNS. Keep up the pressure, otherwise this would never have seen the light of day. They don’t seem to understand that it’s not their money and it’s not OK to let one or more of their buddies walk away with it. The Board members should be prosecuted for the coverup.
This a great deal about the calibre of the board. They should all be fired.
I find this very hard to believe. a member of staff was dismissed on suspicion of theft, but the stealing continued after she was dismissed, This mean the staff member was dismissed without any proof. Ninety thousand is a lot of money. I hope this staff member gets a lawer, and take action for wrongful dismissal..$15000,oo of my money was used to pay foe a forign national permanent residence. only god know how much liquor was bought with the credit card , and no report to the police,. come on MR ARCH AND MR MCFIELD WE ALL EXCEPT BETTER OF YOU. If nothing is done it will be clear to me that the two of supported what went on there. for that i am very disappointed in you
Errr actually, this is about right for Steve, expected nothing better
Fire the Board.
It was in the paper for heavens sake. Most places, the police investigate serious allegations of crime without having to be invited. Someone please email the police a copy of the news articles and say "I am upset and believe a crime may have been committed and I want you to look into it." Sheesh.
I nominate…… YOU. here’s .25 for the stamp. Sheesh
I figured it should come from one of you "citizens,"
Cayman is brilliant at operating the Cosa Nostra code of Omerta (silence) when it comes to investigating Caymanians for alleged crimes.
They get offers.. they can't refuse…