Mac bailed as probe widens
(CNS): The former premier of the Cayman Islands has once again been released by police on bail after he presented himself to police officers involved in the investigations surrounding him. McKeeva Bush, the leader of the UDP and MLA for West Bay, and local businessman Suresh Prasad both complied with the conditions of their bail and turned up for questioning Tuesday morning. However, a spokesperson for the RCIPS said they were re-bailed to return in late March in the face of a widening corruption probe. The police said that enquiries were ongoing and said the probe now included locations in Europe, the United States and in Asia.
The police said that RCIPS officers were working closely with law enforcement colleagues overseas and the investigation was being progressed as expeditiously as possible.
“The investigation is still very active and police are following several positive lines of enquiry,” the police said. “The re-bailing of the suspects is to allow further investigations to take place in a number of foreign jurisdictions, including locations in Europe, the United States and in Asia."
The RCIPS said the enquiry team was required to follow the stringent, and often lengthy, legal processes in place within overseas jurisdictions to obtain the necessary evidential exhibits and supporting statements, adding that the RCIPS appreciates the widespread public interest and concern in relation to this investigation but as it is still active it would be inappropriate to make any further comment.
Bush was arrested on suspicion of theft and various offences under the anti-corruption law in December and released on police bail after two days of questioning to return today. Since then the former premier has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. However, at a public meeting following the arrest and his subsequent ousting from office by his former Cabinet colleagues, Bush said he still expected to be charged at some point before the general election in May as a result of a conspiracy against him.
Bush will now return to the police to answer more questions close to Nomination Day ahead of the election in which he has vowed to run.
The former premier’s arrest relates to allegations of misuse of a government credit card and abuse of office regarding his involvement with a consignment of dynamite, which was imported by Midland Acres, a local quarry and property business based in Bodden Town, without the correct permits and licences.
The owner, who is known to be a close friend of the former premier, appeared in Summary Court last year after he and his company were charged with the unlawful importation. As MD and owner, Suresh Prasad chose not to fight and pleaded guilty to the offence and received a fine of $1,300. However, Prasad was arrested again by police on the afternoon of 11 December and questioned on suspicion of offences under the anti-corruption law, including breach of trust, abuse of office and conflict of interest. He was also bailed by police to return for further questioning this month.
Meanwhile, Bush is also understood to still be under police investigation for at least one other matter, which relates to a real estate bill sent in 2004 to Stan Thomas, a former land owner in Cayman, regarding the zoning of property that Thomas owned at the time along the West Bay Road that he was seeking to develop but which has since been bought by the Dart Group.
Following Bush's arrest on 11 December, his former Cabinet colleagues supported a 'no confidence' motion filed by the opposition in the Legislative Assembly, which resulted in the downfall of the UDP administration. The opposition then agreed to support the remaining Cabinet members in a minority government by offering to ensure that there would be a quorum in the Legislative Assembly. As a result, the governor agreed to appoint the then deputy premier, Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, as the new premier to head government until the general election on 22 May.
Despite his difficulties, Bush came out fighting and carried one Cabinet member and two of his back-bench UDP colleagues onto what became a very crowded opposition bench. Shortly after his arrest he held a public meeting in George Town, where it was clear he still carried considerable support.
He told the crowd that he had been questioned by the police regarding overseas dry cleaning bills and political books he had purchased in London for a library in the premier’s office. Describing his arrest as a conspiracy and pointing the finger at the governor and the Foreign Office, Bush vowed not only to fight the allegations but alsoto continue the political fight with a full slate of UDP candidates in West Bay, Bodden Town and George Town at the May election.
When Bush was released on bail by police in December, the police stated that this was to allow for further investigations and confirmed that a considerable amount of property, including computer equipment, was seized during the searches of his home and office.
Category: Crime
I hope Commissioner Baines, RCIP, MI5 and FCO have their ducks in a row and know what they are doing because if the investigations go the same route of Operation Tempura, Celt and the EuroBank fiasco they will be directly responsible for the destruction of one man’s reputation but more importantly the public ruination of Cayman.
Let us never forget that they all got some where else to go back to just like FCO advisor David Ballentyne former AG of the Cayman Islands.
Elimentary Dear Watson: This investigation, spanning three continents, is only about dry cleaning bills and some books. It seems the Premier left his dry cleaning in China. Then, when he was in Paris, he noticed his clothes were missing. He flew back to China to get his dry cleaning. But while there, he realized he had forgotten to pick up his books in London! Oh dear. So, he flew back to London. But, on the way, he missed his connection in Milan. So, he had to stay there. He had run out of money, out of just plain forgetfullness And as you know Milan is very expensive. So, he had to transfer $70,000 to his personal credit card. After a night out, he slept in, and missed his flight to London. The only connection he could make was from Dubai! So, off he went.
It can all be explained. But, oh no!
People want to see some other more complicated explanation.
He's right…..it's a conspiracy!!
I'm waiting for the headlines Mac Probed as Bail Widens.
Or “Mac Wails as Probe Widens”
Bailing and re-bailing individuals who are under police investigation is common practice while the police gather evidence. Anyone associated with the criminal justice system will know this.
Why then should the Caymanian Compass and some others suggests that McKeeva Bush should be treated differently ?
He, like the rest of us, is subject to the law and not above the law.
Therefore, McKeeva Bush is not entitled to and MUST not receive any special treatment !!!
When the investigations are completed McKeeva Bush will either be charged or he wont be charged but I suspect the former will be the case.
The reason there's been very little fuss about this abuse of police bail is that in the past the vast majority of those subjected to it have been ex-pats.
All that's happened now is that finally someone who is a public figure has been caught up it.
This isn't about McKeeva Bush, it's about whether RCIPS can lawfully detain or control the movements of people for an indefinite period without charging them and whether that is a breach of their human rights.
In the past ex-pats have been held in the Cayman Islands for periods of over a year while RCIPS 'investigate' vague allegations made by former employers. Was that legal?
The fact is that in many (most?) cases police bail has been used by RCIPS in a desperate effort to dig up or manufacture evidence of wrong-going and delay the point at which they are forced to admit that the allegations were completely false.
Nonsense. You have absolutely no basis for your "vast majority" comment.
Bailing and re bailing is common practice, but is it right,. A practice can be illegal.
I'm beginning to feel sorry for poor Mac.
Suppose that on Monday night he dreamed that on Tuesday he would go to the Police station and they would tell him that it had all been a big mistake and they were releasing him.
In his dream he said Praise the Lord – the Donkey faced people made a big mistake and now I am a free man and still the Premier.
So imagine that in the morning he called Parchment and the gang and said 'Book our tickets to the U.S. and Europe and Asia'
'I will confirm when I come back from Police Station'
Then the Police told him that they are also investigating him in the U.S. and Europe, and Asia.
Such a nice dream to be wrecked by a nightmare when he woke up…
As I said I am beginning to feel sorry for him…
Whoever said RCIPS at its best was right. These guys are quite sluggish and lethargic. If they were sure that Bush was guilty by now they would have arrainged him in court but since they have no evidence and the most they were looking for is a legitimacy to get him out of office. Indeed RCIPS at its best is when they are sleeping on the job.
Just keep telling yourself that darlen.
How many high profile cases have the Police attempted to solve in the past 5-7 years. I can count/think of 9, now ask how many of these resulted in a successful conviction- the answer is ZERO. There may be more than 9; however that’s all I can think of. Arresting this man and not being able to lay charges is as stupid as wiping your backside before you take a dump! It makes no sense. I am not here to support or defend McKeeva Bush BUT I will say that there are a few more who falls into the same category of thee crimes he is being accused of- so take them and question them too. This case will drag on and prove to have no merit and we shal be slapped with a hefty lawsuit that my children and grandchildren will be paying for the rest of their lives. Pathetic but thats what we get for clinging on to “jolly old England” and her worn out frock.
You obviously know nothing about proper police procedure. It is common in may countries to be arrested and released on bail and for this to be repeated until the police have all the evidence they need. Why should Mac be any different? This is probably a HUGE investigation and will take time to be done properly.
Why was he getting involved in some quarry down in Bodden Town? It just doesn't make sense, it's not as if Midland Acres is at the centre of some high value, major project involving Crown property, that was not tendered properly.
Err, wait a minute…
As Yoda would say "someone, by the balls, strung up is going to get". And it's not just Mac.
"the probe now included locations in Europe, the United States and in Asia"
Does that mean the RCIPS need to travel around to investigate? Maybe Mac can spare some air-miles for them if needed?
Do you want the truth??
They won’t charge him!
They don’t have anything! The UK is simply playing with Caymanian’s heads! And you fall for it!!!!
Do you want the truth!!
You CAN'T handle the Truth!! Damn.. always wanted to use that saying online..
Listen man, whether it is or isnt a conspiracy, it is still a win win for Cayman. Even if he is set free, they still got him out of the LA. That alone is more than enough for me. The man is a walking time bomb to Cayman and himself. I hope they keepthis up during the elections so that he cant run either… That man is a hot Mess for this country both morally and financially.
They haven't got him out of the LA and those idiots in WB will keep voting him back regardless of whether he is charged. He has to be actually disqualified from running by a conviction for an offence involving dishonesty or for any offence involving a sentence of 1 year's imprisonment.
I agree with all your other comments.
"Caymanians' heads". Unless you know a Caymanian with two heads. I suppose you never know what happens in West Bay.
And for goodness sake, old chap, one exclamation mark will suffice in future.
The UK is not playing with anyone, just ask anyone in TCI and see the end results of politicians that choose not to do that which is right. It's begining to look a lot like TCI and the Mike Miisick situation.
Judging by some of the comments on here a 2 year old could screw up Caymanian heads.
We don't fall for it, as there is nothing to fall for. Cayman offers nothing to the UK but trouble and UK would be happy to be rid of it. And yet you guys think you are so worldimportant that UK needs to screw with your heads.
UK is too busy worrying about Russia, China, Mid-East, where real stuff happens rather than the imagined self importance of 25,000 islanders. But whilst the people here want the UK protection, it will give it and make sure no-one bankrupts the island, as UK does not see why it and its tax payers should have to pay for your corrupt politicians inaction and thieving. It does the same for Falklands, Gibraltar, Turks and Caicos and then some, all of whom voted to stay with UK. The day you vote to not be British, the British will leave. That is the stated policy of the UK government and has been for years.
I guess if its taken this long to get anywhere with the Stan Thomas investigation we could be watching and waiting for bail after bail after bail while they probe for years more to come. I will however try to be optimistic and hope and pray they get enough ducks in a row to bring some meaningful charges and jail time soon…..until then….watching and waiting and hoping RCIPS will make me proud when this happens.
lol… just as I thought. No charges yet. Another well planned reason for this investigation to continue for years.
There is nothing to laugh about either way, but I think this means the investigations are covering matters far more extensive and serious than the arrest warrant suggests.
hope it turns up more than operation tempura did ! let’s not get too happy and forget the past, all the fancy talk does not mean anything unless some justice is done in the end.
It should be "Mac bailed as FCO, GOV and COP widens the country's bad reputation." This is what I am hearing from certain people … I don't think that is a conspiracy. Cayman has always had potential in doing well. Why is it that everytime there are efforts made to boost our economy, there are efforts being made to ruin it ?
Efforts are being made to subject us to the Foreign Office my man, because that is how colonialism works! If you want Independence from out of the birdie cage, you will have to fight for it. But please dont stay in the FO cage, peck the hand their hands when they mistreat you, and expect a respect for your democratic rights. It just don't work that way. It is either you're out the cage or put up with their sh%%.
10.07- you have all the democratic rights you need. Vote the UK out if you want, that is the peoples choice, not the UK. Please remind me exactly what benefit the UK gets from this overseas territory? Not much towit:
1. UK has to provide defence and justice
2. Has to investigate corrupt politicians and defend the public purse
3. Is the one driving transparency and openess
4. Provides hurricane relief with an expensive ship sitting out there all season waiting for trouble.
5. British passports for those Caymanians that want them
6. Offshore business comes here because of that Union Jack in the corner of the flag, providing many millions of dollars to Caymans budget.
Cayman provides in return:
1. Err..nothing
2. Nothing but trouble.
3. Daft comments like yours from people who just cannot see a bigger picture and think Cayman really is something special. That it might be, but only because it still has the Union Jack in the corner of its flag, indicating that it is a proper place as opposed to another Carribean third world place. Lose the Union Jack and all the Financial Services will go too. It is the only thing that keeps them here, the "guarantee" of a proper system.
Re #4: Were you here for Ivan? Didn't think so.
Thank for sharing your BELIEF
I agree with most of that but eh UK provided no meaningful hurricane relief. After Ivan they sent in the RN to rescue the Governor and drtopped off some tarpaulins and water purification tabliets. That was all.In that respect they ought to be ashamed of themselves.
Oh boy where do I start:
1. You say "UK has to provide defence and justice" – when that was? where? what point of history did you see them doing this?
2. You say, "Has to investigate corrupt politicians and defend the public purse" – lol ha ha ha!
3. You say "Is the one driving transparency and openess" – oh really, transparency.. the foreign office made up of some corrupt heads, driving transparency? lol
4. You say "Provides hurricane relief with an expensive ship sitting out there all season waiting for trouble" – lol ha ha ha!
5. You say, "British passports for those Caymanians that want them" – yep, after the UN came on the UK's case on how it treats the overseas territories.
6. You say "Offshore business comes here because of that Union Jack in the cornerof the flag, providing many millions of dollars to Caymans budget" – Oh please… Caymanians and people that came here built Cayman… and most of these expats were not British. Has nothing to do with the flag.
GO FISHING!
Man, if you can't see it, you need new glasses and a hearing aid. Again, Cayman so full of its self importance that it cannot see it is not important at all.
All those things are provided..if it were not for the UK you would have nothing, just more blind Dart and other dodgy deals, with the Chinese, Cohn and so on..and not through lack of UK trying to get them transparent..it is Caymankind hiding this corruption, not the UK.
Everything to do with the flag…everything..you lose that you lose the lot..if you are too blind to see it I could not give a damn. All the US captives would go back to their own new captive zones or Bermuda, I have been told that already. Hedgefunds will do the same, I was told that too. Without them all the legal and accounting firms go, but you carry on being so smart, far to bright for me. Basically because of Mac and his crew, if you go independent none of these investors would trust any of you to run Cayman honestly. That may be a little harsh, there are some good smart people out there (not including you) Went fishing thanks, caught some really tasty Caymanian fish.
Right…. put up with their sh%t….. yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, yes sir, I will kiss your a… I am a Caymanian and I don't think I could live like that. I must speak out
speaking out ….. yes. No doubt there will be lots of it in work time.
Making a decision ….. Highly unlikely.
Doing something …… Not in my lifetime.
No, you are not correct.
I think you just need to ask for it and it will be gladly given.
Don't worry about a referendum, that can be done later when it is too, for the sake of brevity that would be bypassed.
Does anyone know when the RCIPS started their investigation into alleged corruption by the former Premier?
Three years ago. But don't worry; they're working hard on the case. I think they have to bring in some high-priced mercenaries from the Metropolitan Police to solve this case.
You jest. There have been investigations dating back at least as far as FCB.
Or when they plan to conclude it!
March, 2010, I believe. I guess there is a lot to investigate.
a long time ago in a galaxy far far away……..
The only conspiracy here is in the three and a half years the Caymanian people were buffaloed while McKeeva Bush saw the world at their expense and there has been nothing to show for it. All the while he spent a million dollars on himself and his friends, saw exotic places, stayed in nice hotels and dined out, while people were becoming unemployed.
"…nothing to show for it…
Wrong! We have $2 Million lost law suit to show for it.
It's quite amazing that you don't choke on those words. Have you not been reading and listening to the news. That tourism has new record numbers for 2012. Read the editorial in last Fridays Compass with the improvements and upward movement of the economy. That did not happen over night. It happened during Mr. Bush's time as premier.
McKeeva did not improve tourism in Cayman, he improved it in other countries with all his trips. When he returned home he was listed as "returning residen" and NOT included in the Cayman tourism numbers.
Yeah, and the dog ate my homework. Remember the First Cayman Bank? I was one of the people who suggested that he admit his guilt in that fiasco, which he did. How he is too powerful to admit guilt for anything. The man does not have enough smarts to realise that, as a British Crown Colony, the UK can do as they think fit. What is he going to do? Incite his tiny UDP coattail hangers-on to riot on his behalf? I would pay to see that comedy. He had better hide and wait for the anger from the Chinese over their failure in the port project to abate. However, when you bluster and shout to get your point across, pretty soon nobody wants to listen to you, so maybe he should take his licks and his millions and step out of our political scene, so well-educated, caring Caymanianscan try to pull the country out of the hole he has pushed us into.
Will the other travelling Politicians be investigated as well. Cause we know that especially Ju Ju had alot of trips too.
Widening probe to include additional jurisdictions….. Does this mean we shouldn’t expect charges anytime soon, and just continue to have the cloud of suspicion linger and fester for an indefinite time?
I think it means what it says. The investigation has widened and in the end the wait will be worth it. This is going to be huge.
wishful thinking.
I am getting a horrible feeling here.
Wait for it… 'after extensive invstigations the DPP arrived at the conclusion that the case was too complicated and relied ont oo much circumstantial evidence and issues around foreing jurisdiction co-operation to be confident of a conviction and are not proceeding with the case at this time'… I tellya!
Surely some of the stuff that we have been led to believe Big Mac was doing doesn't lead to Asia. proceedign against someone with specimen charges is nothing new. Even if the guys think he has done somethign Mega, if they can prove that he has done somethign fraudulent get on with prosecuting the case so that if he is guilty we are spared the very real possibility of a recently re-elected MLA and at least Leader of the Opposition being convicted of a crime while in that position!!!!
China is in Asia – ring any bells yet? No? One more clue – cruise ship dock.
I tell you.
Those darn Scotland Yard people are thorough…
If they were looking for a specific grain of sand on seven mile beach – then they would find it…
I bet a lot of big wigs are worriedsick, and the sale of valium and zanax have taken a surge lately at the local drug stores…
Oxycodone and rum. Does the trick.
I need to brush up on my drug education, I thought it sounded like Oxycontin whenever they mentioned it on the news. Maybe someone could produce Oxycondoms for treating stupid f***s. There's a good market for that here in Cayman.
Oxycondoms to prevent the proliferation of more oxymorons?
Looking more like a conspiracy to me. He stood up for Caymanians too much so he had to go No yes man, that.
They waiting until its time to declare his candidacy , then they are going to charge him, hoping it will force him not to run. Its a very elaborate set up, at least that how its appearing to many.
Your funny.
My funny? You're funny!!!
Ugh. This tired line. Exactly what is the UK trying to impose on us that he was in the middle of fighting? What was he fighting for? The right to put all of George Town out of business with a secretive, unaccountable process? He used to fight for Caymanians, such as against the Tax Savings Directive, but when the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility came around, where was the fight then? They summoned him to London and he came back saying he would sign it. Don’t you wonder why? Isn’t it obvious? Not to mention it was his fault we needed that in the first place.
What does the UK have to gain from possessing a poorly run territory that creates a financial and reputational risk? Why do you think they sent their prisons inspectors out here? To make us look bad at their own expense out of insincere concern for inmates’ welfare? Or to see that standards are upheld on what is British soil? The Conservatives in the UK are all about ‘British values’. They are the party of the upper and upper middle classes who went into the clergy, the armed forces, the professions and politics (and still do though not as overwhelmingly as before). They see what happens out here and cry ‘shame, shame!’ That’s all – really.
If there is a conspiracy I’m even happier because it means they will make sure to finish him off for good. The only thing a lot of people are worried about is his political corpse reanimating and next time it will be oil deals with Chavez, Russians to build the port, and the Cayman Missile Crisis. Cancers don’t go away on their own. You have to get rough with them. They’ve correctly assessed our society as sick and correctly identified McKeeva as a cult leader who has been robbing the rest of us to feed his angry mob. They’re saving Cayman from itself. You’ll thank them. I’m already grateful.
Ask yourself this: how many times has he conspired against us?
I know for certain that he has conspired against us 3,000 times when he granted all those status in 2003. My only desire is for the UK to come in and get rid of all his advisors and ill advised policies. Thank God that we have the UK to oversee us or we would be just another jungle managed by another king and his jungle laws in which the rich would survive and the rest would surely die. God save the Queen.
And who gave McKeeva that directive that government had to grant these statuses? The UK!
Yes, and the moon is made of cheese. You are a complete idiot if you really believe that.Obviously the UK would not direct McKeeva to grant 3,000 status to random people without any objective criteria, background checks etc. but happened to be on the lists of the UDP and its supporters and ignore others who were here for longer periods. Did you fall on your head as a small child?
So you really think that the UK has nothing better to do? You must be drinking a lot of that green kool aid and/or are on the UDP Nation Building Fund train going full speed ahead and just now realising that the light at the end of the tunnel is another train coming towards you!