Airport in porn, HR scandal

| 23/06/2014

(CNS): The reinstatement of a member of the airport management team after his suspension over allegations of using an official computer to view hundreds of pornographic images has fuelled concerns of another scandal at the airport that involves the board of directors and human resource issues. The opposition leader led the charge in Finance Committee when he began probing officials over an investigation into the behaviour of the IT manager, the subsequent investigations, the man’s reinstatement and the board’s involvement. However, the situation escalated when the board chair and the acting airport boss were less than forthcoming with the committee.

The issue, which has been kept under wraps by airport officials, was blown wide open by McKeeva Bush, who was in possession of what appeared to be a significant number of documents relating to yet another major human resource scandal at the authority. The airport has been plagued with staffing issues since late 2012, when the former chief executive officer, Jeremy Jackson, was suspended and then sacked in the wake of an internal investigation about airport mismanagement. This in turn led to other leaks and revelations of inappropriate board interference with the day-to-day management of the airport and glaring conflicts of interest with the board that was appointed by the UDP government.

Last week, Bush began asking the new board chair, Kirkland Nixon, and the acting head of the Cayman Islands Airports Authority, Andrew McLaughlin, who was standing in for the new CEO Albert Anderson, about the internal investigation that had resulted in the suspension of the IT manager amid allegations that he was using his office computer to visit pornographic sites on numerous occasions and had also downloaded the images.

The investigation and suspension of the IT manager was ordered by the acting director at the time, Kerith McCoy, but after McCoy departed correspondence and other documentary evidence appeared to indicate that the board had directed the conclusion of the investigation and the reinstatement of the manager.

The airport security boss, Shane Bothwell, undertook a second look at the case under what appears to be the direction of the board, despite the board chair's denial they had anything to do with the case. Bothwell told the committee that he had not been able to prove the allegations and suggested that he could not verify the chain of custody regarding the computer.

However, the opposition leader pointed out that the IT manager was one of only two people with access to the computer and the second person was on leave at the time the sites were allegedly viewed. Bothwell hinted that he believed the IT manager could have been set up, as he said the manner of the viewing was not conducive with the usual patterns of behaviour in such cases. However, he could not explain how anyone else other than the manager could have had access to the computer.

While no one was able to explain the reinstatement of the IT manager in the face of what the opposition members considered to be overwhelming evidence against him, the situation escalated when the opposition leader also asked about a letter from the authority’s lawyers relating to that matter and the issue of McCoy’s disputed departure following his extended leave. Knowledge of the letter was denied by the CEO but it eventually appeared in part after the chair eventually admitted its existence.

Bush pressed on over the question of the board's interference, as despite the denials by both McLaughlin and Nixon that the board was involved in HR issues at all, the letter, which was not released in public, was alleged to contain evidence of that interference. This led the opposition members to call for a public probe of the board and other witnesses and left the government benches embarrassed, while the government minister with responsibility for the airport remained silent throughout the entire affair.

“This letter tells us there was interference,” Bush insisted, as he became increasingly irate over what he saw as public officials deliberately misleading the committee. He said it was evident that the board was party “to gross interference” and added that the committee has not been told the truth. "I am not going to countenance being told half of what happened,” he said.

The opposition leader and the independent members implied that it was all too common for government management teams to come to Finance Committee and tell members whatever they thought they wanted to hear when often it was just not true.

Ezzard Miller also emphasised his concerns about the lack of action taken against all individuals who mislead parliament. “Every time we try to get to the bottom of something, somebody intervenes with a legal opinion to cover it all up,” he said. 

Amid discussions involving the Finance Committee chair, the attorney general and the premier, the matter almost reached a select committee enquiry, which could have seen all of the witnesses placed in contempt of parliament, an offence that could lead to jail.

Following several closed door meetings on Thursday evening and then again Friday afternoon, the committee eventually agreed that such an enquiry would escalate matters too far. The premier said government regarded it as “a very serious matter”, and that it would conduct further investigations into the issues surrounding the allegations.

While Bush agreed that there were time constraints on Finance Committee and other issues, including the cost of fielding an army of lawyers on all sides, a select committee enquiry was a step too far. However, the opposition leader demanded that the current airport board be fired and another one appointed.

The issue over whether or not the IT manager, who is back in his job, had or had not been viewing porn over 450 times in a two week period was left hanging as the matter of board interference and dishonesty before the committee took precedence. 

In the end,however, the MLAs spent almost seven hours across Thursday and Friday arguing over the potential scandal of the IT manager’s reinstatement after the discovery of the porn, the removal of McCoy, the current board’s interference with HR matters and, most of all, the allegations that the airport officials had not been truthful with Finance Committee.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The whole bunch of them need to be gone.  What a disgrace to our country!!

  2. Anonymous says:

    According to CIGTV the hard drive was returned to the said employee OMG my 10 year old would have more sense than to do that!!  The entire board should be dismissed adn even the employees that lied to the politicians.

  3. Anonymous says:

    It amazes when I see posts about this has nothing to do with finance committee, well lets see,

    A employee suspended on pay – hmmm money

    Actg CEO sent home on retirement with special arrangements – hmmmm money still don't know how much

    Tons of money spent by CIAA on legal fees each year – hmmm money

    Lots more HR matters not disclosed yet – hmmm money

    Tons of CIAA Computer equipment purchased each year by this employee and apparently misused – hmmmm money

     

    I would certainly say Bush is correct this is a budget/finance committee issue as it is still not determined what this situation etc is truly costig CIAA.

    LOL Go the Mckeeva, you don't have education they say but sure look like you got more than those in the LA and some of these posters.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Porn sites carry viruses. no pun intended. The IT Manager should be fired for negligence of duty. Any decent IT Infrastructure would have a proper firewall in place to prevent access to pornographic sites. How much is this guy getting paid, to NOT do his job?

  5. Anonymous says:

    this aint the only issue up there try non payment of overtime to security officers $1million plus, breach of labor law section 24 and 25, inappropriate acts towards women etc  I could stay here all day and list them out but a flight is about to land in 15 mins. LOL

  6. Anonymous says:

    well well the chicken has finally come home to roost!!

  7. Anonymous says:

    These are allegations. By definition may or may not be true. This board has come under fire mainly because it has been too transparent. And yes because the issue of employee discipline and the employee obvioulsy was disciplined over his use of porn was brought up by Bush in the FINANCE COMMITTEE is extremely questionable. Do you really think he would have dropped it if there was any merit to these so called allegations? Meanwhile he is getting closer and closer to his  court date and  a member of one of his boards has just been charged gulity of fraud and iswaiting to be sentenced.  XXXXX Let's not forget what the previous board were allegedly doing either – its way past the realm of employee discipline. The only thing this board is guilty of is trying to get the right people for the job. 

  8. Anonymous says:

    What's "porn"?

  9. Anonymous says:



    as the "prosecutor" mckeeva has no credibility.  can we brush allegations under carpet

     

    • Anonymous says:

      Why you so intrenched on Makeeva? he didnt down load the porn. This is not about him. Stick to the issue and the culprit.

  10. The Janitor says:

    I smell a rat!!!! What do you mean it would cost to field an army of lawyers? So if I did a crime and if it is going to cost the government, you are saying I would get an out of jail free card? 

    I believe we should start to punish people for their crimes committed. Where are we going as a society? What are we teaching our children?

  11. Anonymous says:

    Bush knows when someone isn't telling the truth!  Shoot, he hasn't fully explained many of his actions now has he?  But be that as it may, like Gillie used to say on Rooster, "He has a POINT!"  Whether it was UDP and its Boards interfering into the management of an Authority, or the PPM, it shouldn't matter.  WRONG is WRONG and PPM should know that better than most.  Afterall, they campaigned on that platform and we all supported them on it.  Now we expect that they come clean and deal with those who have breached that protocol, including sanctions for those civil servants who lied, withheld the truth, or were otherwise very economical with it.  And for those who circumvented the process and undid the right and proper actions of Kerith, they should be terminated forthwith as they are no longer trustworthy.  I am glad that Kerith can walk down mainstreet and hold his head high.  Ms. Theoline taught him the value of integrity and he has stood by it.  Proud of you Kerith and shame on those who tried to cover it up.

  12. Anonymous says:

    I want to know why politicians are interfering in day to day managemnet of authorities?  

    • Anonymous says:

      Somebody has to!!!!!  Have you read the news?  Cayman has a serious problem with people feeling uncomfortable to come forth with what they know when something bad is going on in a workplace for fear of retribution.  Wake up and stop killing the messenger.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Porn was found on a computer sitting in an IT office. The office was not locked and Mac's assertion that only 2 people knew the password is BS. Try fire any IT manager over that one if your good. You can do it, but be prepared to pay dearly. Slap his/her wrist and put them back to work. Why did this shut down our Legislature for a day? Marco, your a good man but you need to grow a pair and shut down Mac's idiotic diversionary tirades. 

  14. Anonymous says:

    Live and learn. The finance chair should have told him it wasn't a finance committee issue from the get-go and ruled him out of order if he persisted. I'm not saying it's not worth asking about but not in that committee.

  15. Anonymous says:

    Wow this is amazing heads need to roll!!

  16. Anonymous says:

    So, because McKeeva Bush brings it up….there is no substance? The ignorance of some people continues to astound me.  If there has been wrongdoing at the CIAA (Management and Board) then let's get to the bottom of it.  That has nothing to do with McKeeva Bush's trial or whether he did wrong or not.  Unless of course you subscribe to the idiom that "two wrongs make a right"

     

  17. Anonymous says:

    A lot of  posters have taken the time to lambast Mckeeva without looking at the entire situation. For the outset let me make it plainly clear that I do not support any party UDP?PPM?C4C and in fact this whole situation does not appear to be about any party in any case although it has been reduced to that..

    It appears in this situation that even the minister in charge Kirkconnell was embarrased by the actions of these people.

    XXXX

  18. Anonymous says:

    Regardless of McKeeva's misdeeds (for which I hope he will be dealt with!) this situation is disgraceful and that Board should be dismissed. While they are at it they can also check to determine if the rumors of membership of a certain secret society is also true for several, if not all, of the key players in this scandal.  

    • Anonymous says:

      This has Cayman Reporter written all over it. Gloom and doom. Perhaps those perpetuating this are positioning themselves for the next election.

      • Anonymous says:

        We always tend to blame someone else. If we try to investigate…it's because some one wants to run for office. We are so damn childish. No wonder the foreigners are laughing at us!!

    • Anonymous says:

      The board in question has already been replaced as this happened under the UDP administration.

      • Anonymous says:

        Here we go again blaming the UDP board. Are we that damn naive! we cant see wrong done by certain people in this country??

    • Anonymous says:

      Please spell out the secret society of which you speak, and I'll tell you if you are correct.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Good Governance and Transparency alright!!  PPM what a joke!!

  20. Anonymous says:

    Mess with Big Mac, When Alden was onTV speaking about this he  looked like if a hole was near by he would have went and crawled inside of it!!  LOL

  21. Anonymous says:

    Wow! This is a disgrace to the point that I find myself saying, "Thank God for McKeeva and Ezzard!". That entire Board and all concerned should be sacked immediately. These are the kind of people who are giving Caymanian's a bad name, all the while parading as honourable men. Shame on them! 

  22. Anonymous says:

    We are a Christian Nation and the Bible specifically states: "Anyone who has no sin in their life should step forward and throw the first stone." This explains the cover up. But it doesnt' explain why Bush stepped forward. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Just stop associating Christ and Christianity with this. They should all be flogged. 

    • Anonymous says:

      I'm fo a christian run airport.

      No flights on Sundays.

      Infact lets keep the SDA's happy. No flights on weekends!

    • RED VW says:

      The answer thus lies within the discovery of The Red Volks Wagon!

    • Anonymous says:

      You are joking aren't you. Do you really think the bible tells you to ignore wrongdoing completely – and worse cover it up!

    • Anonymous says:

      He is pure of thought and clean of heart.  Do not believe the bureaucratic harrassment.  The regulations cannot trump the law. . .

    • Anonymous says:

      A christian nation does not exist. 

      A nation where christians force their way of life upon others does .

      • Anonymous says:

        Stick to your own devil worshiping and leave the Christians alone. They are serving their God…please!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Anon 1421 this discussion is about the wrong doing at the CIAA. Why are you trying to take us down a different path?

      Thats why nothing gets done.

      and PS I am a christian and christian rules still talks about accountability.

      My goodness which bible are you reading.

  23. Anonymous says:

    Bush insisted, as he became increasingly irate over what he saw as public officials deliberately misleading the committee.

    Indeed this must have been frustrating for Bush. In his mind, who couldn't mislead a committee? Its childsplay compared the misleading vast numbers of voting public. 

  24. Anonymous says:

    Allegations by Mceeva Bush – what a joke.  Lets not discuss how he has mismanaged public funds and his party's abusive spendinn on travel etc. Anyone who falls into this trap of distraction is as foolish as the MLAs that allowed this fruitless waste time in a forum completely unrelated to finance to go on. Get a babckbone PPM. He's playing on Marco's inexperience as a politian and is winning at that game. 

    • Anonymous says:

      I am not a supporter of Mr. Bush, but any blind man can see the cover up by the PPM.  If there is nothing to hide and every step taken was in order, why are they redacting information and not allowing a committee to be formed to deal with the matter.  I hope Mr. Bush will tell from A to Z all what they are trying to hide and more than the public may not be aware of.   Transparency, then whose heads will roll.  Let the whole wide world read about the bias PPM.  

      When you dig one hole, remember their will be others to follow, do make space for more than one.  Shame on PPM, for their lack of transparency, upholding the clique. 

  25. Anonymous says:

    Amazing how certain people bring up board interference when they feel like it.  Wonder why board interence wasn't brought up in previous situations??  Oh, wait, that was a UDP board – Nevermind.

     

  26. Anonymous says:

    "not going to countenance being told half of what happens"???? Amazing. I guess we will find out which half he chooses to tell at his trial in September…I can see all these quotes being thrown back at him…

    • Anonymous says:

      Boy! did this man steal your white rooster? why dont you lay off the man? this has nothing to do with Mac.

      He is doing his job…. you do yours and shut the hell up!  

  27. The Deacon says:

    Unfortunately, all politicians are liars. No one knows what THEY watch on the internet.  Don't expect much concerning this soap opera episode.

  28. Anonymous says:

    Bush has a very short memory when expressing outrage at "interference" and abuse of funds.

    Millions spent by him on inexplicable jollies and trying to cover illegal imprtation of explosives by his friend, sacking the man who stood upto him, all point to a desparate has been trying to cover his tracks…Go away Mac. you are now beyond a joke, you are an embarrasment.

    • Anonymous says:

      Sad when you see justice thrown out because we want to shoot the messenger. Anyway, dont we all know

  29. Anonymous says:

    What a waste of our Govenment's time. The CIAA Board must be doing a good job if Mac is calling for them to quit. Perhaps he is once again trying to draw attention away from himself?

  30. Anonymous says:

    why is this important  to running the country?

  31. Anonymous says:

    Is it mandatory to be crap to be involved in the management or boards at the airport, the airline or the Authority, or does it just seem that way?

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually it is mandatory, if you show a bit of competence you get scolded for making the other drones look bad.

    • Anonymous says:

      The chairman of the CIAA board should be removed.  Too many in the old boys club.