Airport boss report leak
(CNS): The suspended CEO of the Cayman Islands Airport Authority is facing a long list of accusations relating to serious mismanagement at the airport and the misuse of public money. From boozy lunches for staff who were on duty, as well as flying lessons for an employee running a private flight school to unexplained thefts, hundreds of thousands of dollars appear to be misappropriated, according to a confidential report. The document and a bundle of supporting evidence was leaked to MLA Ezzard Miller, who says he is deeply concerned that more than two months after Jeremy Jackson was suspended no action has been taken against the airport boss and no information given to the public about the serious allegations.
Miller, who represents the district of North Side as an independent MLA, said the report and the stack of evidence was placed in a sealed brown envelope and left in his truck recently. He passed the documents to CNS because he said he was concerned that after so long knowing about these issues and in the face of damning evidence, the board has still not acted.
Although the financial officer was fired from the airport in December, Jackson remains on suspension. CNS contacted the board, the acting airport manager and the minister who is now in charge, but both Richard Arch, the board chair, and Kenrith McCoy, the acting CEO, made no comment when asked if Jackson was still receiving his full salary, whether the findings in the board’s report had been passed to the police or when the public were likely to be informed about what had gone on at the authority, which is one of the few government owned companies that is profitable.
It seems, however, that the CIAA could be even more profitable if money had not been misused over the last four years, as documented in the confidential report.
The report details the failure of the airport boss to deal with a theft of some $100,000 from the airport. The CEO had told the board that the person who was suspected of stealing the money had been terminated and he had left it at that. However, because the staff member was terminated on the grounds of poor performance, she left with a cheque from the authority of over $16,000. In addition, following her departure a further $21,000 was stolen without any explanation. None of the incidences of the theft were brought to the board’s attention, no investigation was carried out and no disciplinary action taken. The report also notes that theft is still prevalent at the airport.
The report lists a catalogue of expenditures which should not have been made or authorized by the CEO, from the use of various contractors without any contractual agreements or approval by the airport board to the financing of the former chief financial officer’s permanent residency at a cost of $15,500. The security unit was also making up its own working conditions, which the CEO had condoned, despite the fact it was costing the airport significant sums of money as staff were working a favourable shift pattern of four days on, three days off, forcing the recruitment of more people to cover the airport security, which the board said was one of its most costly areas.
The CEO also approved a significant amount of expensive overseas training programmes for airport staff which were not relevant for their jobs, including enhanced flight training for a private pilot who was making money from his license outside of his job by giving flight lessons.
The report also lists a catalogue of expenses run up by the staff, all of which were signed off by the CEO, on overseas staff jaunts and retreats. Many of the expenses signed off by Jackson included expensive liquor bills, which is against government policy. In one case the bar bill at a staff safety training meeting was over $17,000, an irony not lost on the board.
Regular development lunches at restaurants all over Grand Cayman were also paid for on the airport credit card, which included booze, despite the fact staff were returning to work. The report shows that the CEO was authorizing his own credit card payments, and before her departure the CFO was also signing her own cheques, including the one for her PR application, the document reports.
Miller told CNS that he was very disappointed that the board has refused to make any comment about the situation, which is evidently very serious, and he said action had to be taken.
“I don’t see why the board has not acted, given the serious misappropriation of public money,” Miller said. “I do not see why this is being kept in the dark and it is unfair to everyone involved to allow these issues to drag out without resolution. I am also disappointed that despite being asked, the board and management are not prepared to offer an explanation about what is going on,” the MLA added.
Category: Local News
The question that should be asked in this situation is who has Jackson ticked off.
You know nothing!
This just goes to show that government is very much lacking in its processes and procedures and when you have the Premier showing little regard for such, what else do you expect to find from the rank and file. Afterall, the rate of the pack is determined by the speed of the leader.
Name and shame please!
Other than Jackson, who is the former CFO who paid for her own PR application amongst other irregularities?
Who is the pilot who got free training and selling flying lessons?
Which company and its principals who are robbing the shift work?
Name and shame!!
Ezzard is correct in demanding that the Board do their job, but there is a bigger problem in the composition of the many Government Boards.
Ezzard needs to bring legislation to precludes anyone from sitting on the Board of any Authority with which they have a business relationship. These incestuous relationships are the real problem, and it's time to stop the nudge nudge, wink wink, and people "excusing" themselves from meetings while their business is being discussed.
Jeremy is one of the better guys. If they investigated other heads they would find a lot worse,
He is one of many who spend OUR money..
We might have our bad apples in Cayman! Having bad apples flewn in, dose not help
The few good apples in Cayman! White collar crime was not concocted in Africa muchless Cayman. Go figure! !
Caymanian
It is disgusting to see the many nasty comments being made about this situation without Joe Public knowing the real facts. Tried & Convicted based on allegations….!! That is the Caymanian Culture…. The person who put it in Ezzard's truck has their own agenda "perhaps they would like the CEO's job" the politically appointed board members with no experience in the Civil Aviation field and the existing Board members who all have their secrets……….
JEREMY, STAND STRONG MY FRIEND…..THE TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL AND SET U
FREE!!!! and the rest will get what is coming to them….time longer dan rope…..!!
There is no smoke without fire but let us not judge this person without his explanation. Notwithstanding this it is time to have members of statutory boards elected because of their quailifications and expertise rather than their political alignment. Just look at the current boards and you will get my drift. In addition why not utilize the enormous amount of talent amongst retired expats who were largely involved in building the fortunes of the islands or as retiring successful entrepreneurs have now relocated here.
I am all in favor of having young Caymanians promoted to these boards but why waste the huge amount of other talent which is free to take advantage of.
All I have to say if he’s guilty that’s bad thing, but having outsiders creating more crimes in our country is not acceptable! We have our own problems ! They are good in bad in every country!
Caymanian
It is bad enough when cayamnians commit crimes but it is far worse when we ignore hiring the locals and hire international criminals, who are given top jobs and are paid well, to milk the cash pan dry. We can't hire our own, nor trust them, but anyone can step off a plane and his/her character is not checked or challenged. That's what should happen to one an all who prefer the expat. How many companies or business establishments haven't had a bite.
Even when they evade import duties, they are given high positions in CIG. What a shame.
So the lesson we've all learning from this is…..next time we go to government functions we are all paying for our own alcohol right?
Caymanians need to hold fellow Caymanians who are irresponsible or otherwise accountable and not cover up for them. Gas gate is a case in point. Only by holding them responsible will you raise the bar of professionalism.
Stop pretending that 1 bad apple reflects on all Caymanians. Every nationality has their problemed so get over it.
When people learn the crime doesn't pay and they won't have friends or family "fix it" they will be forced to clean up their act.
This is so sad, to have this matter tried in the court of public opinion.
However, it is well known that the airport has had an unhealthy culture for decades and not kept up with the times to create a truly professional working atmosphere and operation.
It is well known that to get promoted one had to be drinking buddies with those concerned, which was more than the odd Friday happy hour. This of course was in addition to being one of those with the coveted title of being a ” Glorified Traffic Cop” which also known as an Air Traffic Controller, which naturally created the establishment of an elite corps. When in reality this is nothing more than 6 months of vocational training post high school.
So then without a proper training and rigorous development programme , people are promoted without having to experience any semblance of what others have had to do in other professions.
It is understood that the former ‘retired’ CEO regularly went down to help the baggage handlers load baggage, proving his comfort zone. Where there is such lack of appreciation for proper training or education then of course people may be setting them and others up to fail. A proper organizational development initiative is required to bring them into the 21stCentury from a Board that is comprised of professionals, not purely political appointees who themselves do not bring anything to the table.
The sad part is that the lowly Air Traffic Controllers are working in deplorable conditions in the tower that hasn't had the mold removed from Ivan,XXXX
Hmmmmm… I recall the same situation at a place of higher learning when taking classes.
So if the Air Traffic Controllers are "Glorified traffic cops" then that makes CAL Pilots "Glorified bus drivers" and over paid bus drivers at that!
Now when you running down our CAL pilots, you're walking on the fighting side of us Caymanians. You name any other airline whose pilots are better, or any other airline you feel safer on than Cayman Airways. All you have to do is look at their safety record over the last 40 years and compare it to CALs. CAL and it's pilots and all its staff are No1 and second to none!
An Air Traffic Controller is certainly not a glorified traffic cop. That is a low comment to make. But as usual, with my own Caymanians, we certainly enjoy being the crab in the barrel. Quick to pull each other back down into the mire.
I have respect for our controllers. Having flown out of Owen Roberts for the better part of 20 years, I have full knowledge of what difficulties they face. They may not have the latest of equipment to do their jobs, but they damn well do a great job. It certainly takes more than a "high school mind" to see the big picture. Chess player, referree, strategist, jugglers. These are titles than can be used for them.
Next time you find yourself strapped into a seat of a pressurized aluminium tube that is capable of sustaining life 6 miles above the surface of the earth, rocketing along at over 500 mph, in temperatures of -50f, be thankful than these controllers without the aid of radar are still able to keep you seperated from another tube packed with unsuspecting souls headed your way.
Vertical, horizontal seperation using distance, time, speed and geometery keeps you safe. And those controllers are doing that in a flash in their mind. Mental mathematics, at work. Go try it for yourself. They can do your job, but can you do theirs?!
Ouch, the pig that got hit with the rock squeals.
Last Thursday's Compass' view by Catherine Tyson captures it quite adequately by saying " It takes love and kindness to tell someone you care about the truth and is very necessary. It can often be the catalyst for their change, growth and improvement. Sometimes we hide from these uncomfortable conversations but we have to accept that the bigger picture is growth, excellence and success. Only your best friend or someone who cares about you will take the time to look you in the eye and tell you the truth "
It must be extremely hard on the ego after such a longperiod of deluded thinking for reality to harshly hit one to the fact that they part of a very large operation, and are not the PRIMADONNAS they think they are. GOD is the centre of the equation and universe and controllers are not the aeronautical designers of aircraft, structures or facilities they merely operate but are an essential part of a team. Notice there is no I in the word team eh.
What a load of hog wash…you sound like a Glorified A*****e!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How eloquent of you to try and shoot the messenger of the message. Reality is often hard to face.
everyone, if you have info, I have a scoota… I will give the info to ezzard, but you have to give me one hundred dollas for the services… squeezing through ezzards truck windowisn't easy… in fact its dangerous
Ezzard Miller must have a mail slot in his truck for leak information envelops lol!
Braca
Braca. I heard somebody put a bag of soldier crabs in Ezzard's truck too.
Better check it out…
Jeez …You people make me sick, I hope most of these post are foreigners and not locals. We dont even know if ANY of this is true and you all tried and convicted him already, Typical Caymanian……… No wonder we are losing it. Gosh my stomach is sick from you people.
My stomach is sick for the Board of Directors who appear to have neglected their duties.
As for the crabs in the bucket mentality- it is as prevalent as the ostrich in the sand mentality. Neither are that admirable but occur on a regular basis in serious situations.
Jeremy is not all bad if he id guilty, he at least hired Caymanians! Look at security as an example! If they was a foreigner Ceo at CIAA it look like rcip, hiring only British cops! We need to unite Caymanians that is our weakness! Foreigners are strong because they united!
Braca
Please also note that the article published does not even skim the surface of what is REALLY going on. A good majority if not all of what the CEO does MUST be approved by the board, we must wait until we get all the facts of the matter to truthfully be able to pass judgement.
Not to stray from the topic but just a thought……
As for the Board…I wonder if the conflict of interests XXXX will be brought to light? Or investigated into…? I'm sure there are thousands of fees owed that they may even possibly refuse to pay.
So it's okay because he hired Caymanians!!??? What a nut.
You Braca are another one of those. I bet you wished you lived in WB so you could get your cut.
If you'll see in another post below, there was an expat in as the financial controller and a Caymanian that tried for that position. (Porbably more than one!!)
Ignore hiring locals, hire who you may and take the pilfering with a smile. I am always happy to read the scandals, they came, they saw, they conquered, (veni,vidi,vinci), and departed.
As a born and bred Caymanian I find your comments assinine. So we should cover for someone because they are Caymanian and hired Caymanians?
Mr. Miller, thank you for exposing this XXXX, you rate high in my books because you are what the people of this country say they want, transperancy within government and you have not failed to deliver. From the time this took place it has been a hush, hush situation and, of course, it was blacked and am sure prayers were being said for it all go away. He would announce his early retirement and get a great package and go on being a role model…..hahaha……!!!! XXXX
You really disappoint me Braca. It's because of attitudes like yours that corruption persists. Whether the accused hired locals or expats does not give him right to do the things he is alleged to have done. If he goes to church every Sunday does not give him right to do what he has been alleged to have done. Because you "like" someone does not give them a "get out of jail" card. Your tolerance of this kind of behavior because you know of some "good" things the individual has done and he's Caymanian just perpetuates more corruption in government.
Please continue to do a governmental spring cleaning and get all the cob webs and dust mites out! These are serious allegations but theae are the things the public need to be aware of, great timing, please Cayman, let’s clean house and start with a clean slate come May.
And while you do the Spring cleaning, please ensure that the Cayman Airways Board members and Government officials no longer get free flights on Cayman Airways for themselves AND their family members.
The flights should only be free when they are on official business, not when they are going on shopping trips and vacations!
What do you mean by official business? Most of them do not have no official business abroad.
Is it not a surprise when it is found a Chief Executive Officer and others of a goverment agency are under suspicion for mis-appropriation of funds and possible theft? Or is not a surprise at all? The culture of using public funds as a personal piggy had it's sordid beginnings at the top. The examples set by the former Premier and Deputy Premier now Premier sent a clear message to others below them. No one was minding the store, and those that were supposed to didn't care enough or were complicite themselves. How was it this was not prevented? Or detected? The question arises then how many of these people who should have been responsible for prevention and detection are looking over their shoulders instead?
Ezzard thank you for being the voice of your people. If the above allegations are true I believe the entire board should also be held accountable. I was under the impression boards were formed to oversee the business and to ensure the business is being operating as per policies and procedures of the company. Clearly they failed here collectively and the people of the Cayman Islands. Therefore they should all be charged and should be held liable for mr. Jackson’s actions. Unless they were also part of the drinking binge??????
Only in cayman!
Sunlight is the greatest disinfectant. If anyone ever doubted the importance of the role that CNS and fearless individuals such as Ezzard have in an insular society like ours this article should resolve any questions.
All government departments & authorities should be audited every year. Auditors should knock on the door without prior notice and demand to see all paperwork. Surely this stuff with CIAA didn't just happen over a long week-end!
problem is they are audited by government auditors and they are not that good at forensic auditing
di whole ah di crew ah dem, haffi go!
Mmmmmmm….
What a load of hogwash!! Stuff like this is could have only been conjured up by persons/people who are intent on discrediting Jeremy for the benefit of their own advancement. Jeremy is a good, honest, professional Caymanian who has dedicated his entire life to the aviation industry industry of the Cayman Islands and we all should be thankful. Innocent until proven guilty – Jeremy has done nothing but acted in the best interest of the CIAA and maintained its integrity. Truth will come to light………………………!!
I cant help but think this is Joey Ebanks commenting here, a fool and his money is invited everywhere, in this case, a fool with access to government's money is invited everywhere and enjoy being the centre of attention. Joey you are no better, what about that CI$50,000 odd you paid back to the turtle farm in cash after approving your own salary advances and obtaining turtle meat valued at CI$2,000 and your croonie, our ex premier still had the gaul to appoint you to the ERA board. Only in the lovely Cayman Islands.
Yes I eat PB&J sandwiches and drive home on E some days and I can't manage my finances but you will NEVER see me on that court list or CNS or the Cayman Compass or anywhere else being called a thief!
I'm with you Peanut Butter & Jelly. I guess I can't manage my finances either because after paying my mortgage, house insurance, light, cell, water, food, school fees, buying my children clothing, etc. I, too, tend to nibble on a sandwich and coast home on fumes sometimes. And like you I can sleep at night knowing I've put in an honest day at work.
Ever considered getting rid of that expensive flashy car and driving something like a corolla? I tell unni bout driving dem expensive flashy cars and eating P&J sandwiches maybe then you can upgrade to a nice juicy cornbeef or tuna from 7-11 before work in the morning and wash it down with a free cup of coffee or tea after you reach your workplace – justsaying
Not that there is any excuse for being a thief and misusing government funds but you have to wonder if these people look at what cabinet and their cronies do and, therefore, think it is OK for them to do as well.
Ezzard not no Lodge Brother, that much is now obvious. Had he and CNS not exposed this it would have been quietly swept under the rug in the name of the Brotherhood. A crack in the armour perhaps?
Ask Ezzard and if he is truthful he will tell you he is.He once approached me and asked me to join.
People mess up if he is accused of these wrong doings, but don’t forget what foreign workers did:
1) stole govt pension to support his drug problem, (none Caymanian)
2) insurance fraud (just 2 weeks ago), (none Caymanian)
3) running a bank at home ( filiphino national)
4) phone top up fraud (filiphino national)
5) scanning drivers coupon (none Caymanian)
& the list goes on!!!
Braca
So what is your point exactly?
Braca, you got a bee in your bonnet today….you kinda overlook a few things
1. Mac undoubtedley XXX (Caymanian)
2. Ju-Ju paving half of Brac illegally (Caymanian)
3. Civil service only serving itself and effectively therefore stealing (Caymanian)
4. Drugs busts recently (Caymanians)
5. Northward mostly full of (Caymanians)
We could both go on with lists, but what is the point. It only shows prejudice and nothing else, nothing useful.
The real issues are that it is too easy for crime to be committed in CIG and CS circles and that has to be tightened up and stopped, and yes both Ex-pats and Caymanians do it. But i have other news for you – the same happens everywhere. In UK the "criminals" are mostly percieved as being Romanians or Gypsy's or Kosovans..because it is easy to blame them for everything and not look to hard at our own criminals.
Wait just a moment now. Julie is a Caymanian? I am hard pressed to believe such an accusation. I was under the impression that she was once a barefooted little girl (she sure isn't little anymore. All that world traveling has given her quite an appetite. And not only for food) from Watering Place, Cayman Brac. A Bracca by all distinction.
ROTFL!
How is that even relevent?
Are you saying it's acceptable steal if you're Caymanian because other nationalities can be dishonest too?
Umm I hate to say it but I think that is what he’s saying.
But at least they were arrested.
Many of them aren't and just skip out of the country.
Stop being disappointed and DO SOMETHING about it. That is YOUR money dear Caymanians that they are stealing. When your wonder why you can’t afford health care, your light bill or your children’s education, remember that it is because the money the government should have for you is being stolen.
People seriously need to live within their means. My honey bunny told me the other night he was at the gas station and someone could only put $1.50 worth of gas in their Range Rover and had the audacity to ask the cashier to keep it on the DL. Said cashier told my honey bunny after the broke customer left. Nobody ain't keeping those kinda secrets anymore fellas!
I bet the person who "trolled" the above paragraph is the person that could only put $1.50 in their Range Rover tank! LMAO
Mistah Jackson must hav gon to same school as big mac. I wonder if he evah do yard work too. Big mac be mistah jacksons ideal.
Sorry to tell ya, but this appointment was instigated by people in the previous government. Nothing to do with Mac!
I nah say he appointed by mac. I just say he want to be like him.
It sounds very UDP ish to me. Doesn't it sound that way to you too? How anyone can raise their head and be associated with that group these days behooves me, but then again, birds of a feather do flock together. Every organisation has certain requirements to join them, right?
It's people like you that make me sick! Jackson's appointment was by people favoured by the PPM administration as it was Harding Watler and his bunch on the board at the time! XXXX
For your information it is well known fact that the chairman of the board who appointed Jackson was a PPM supporter who also appointed the previous CEO. Remember him? The one that was accused of taken loads of money in bribes from FIFA? It was NOT McKeeva Bush! Get your facts straight.
Who gives a hoot who appointed him or where he came from. If he's guilty, he's guilty. You don't have to be associated with a crook to be one.
Behoove is to support?
It behoves me to say that the poster was trying to use the word "behove", or if we must descend into Americanisms, "behoove", in order to appear clever, but, by misusing the word as they did, they have come across as a complete dolt.
No, rather you have come across as a bunch of idiots obsessed with spelling for lack of contributing or adding to the dialogue.
"Behove" does not mean what this poster thinks it means.
You're right. It should be "befuddle." Thanks for that.
A little discombobulation every now and then is quite normal.
Unless he meant they were treating him like a donkey !
another glorious day for the caymankind civil service……
Not Civil Service…Stautory Authority…..
Poor man, he has already been tried and convicted in the court of public opinion.
Agreed, CNS this is wrong to do this to this man..He should be allowed to have his day in court and not be tried in the court of public opinion on CNS..
That money was stolen is not in doubt. That there were big office drinking parties is not in doubt. He was in charge. No need to go to court to decide to kick him out. Deal with the criminal issues later.
Or just kick him out. Never in the history of Cayman has a criminal investigation of a white collar crime been completed.
But is he being taken to court? That is the question. I certainly hope so.
Wow! As a qualified Caymanian CPA, I now know why my applications over the years, for the financial controller posititon, were ignored. I guess they need a non-Caymanian which they could have control over to hide their dealings. Certainly happy for unanswered prayers. Thanks Mr. Miller for bringing this to light.
I amalso disappointed that despite being asked, the board and management are not prepared to offer an explanation about what is going on,” the MLA added.
The reason nobody here wants to speak out or speak up is that they are afraid of their own secrets being spilled by the other person…and I don't just mean in the CIAA…
Two many Board meetings are doing similar. Big lunches, socializing, giving big fancy gifts etc etc and just sitting and talking their tongues out of their heads. Nothing productive comes out of these meetings. Its about time that all of these Departments get examined. Especially Boards that have to deal with peoples monies and living.
They can’t comment because it is likely a legal case. Don’t be silly.
WOW!
Nepotism, cronyism, favourtism- all of the ism's are alive and well in the Cayman Islands. And of course, can't forget narcissism. Another sterling example here.
It appears to be a badge of honour to be charged with theft from your employers- not yet proven in this case but sure smells like it. I would like to hear Roy Boddens or Dr. McFields take on why this practise is so common place in such a small native population where most know one another, and many are related. Is there no shame? And what about the islands solid Christian foundation. Any heads of church want to share an opinion. Of course not, they would just look the other way of the sins.
How do families face one another during family gatherings? Or I forgot, they would just never address the topic- as if it never happened. Leave it swept under the carpet like so many of the social ills of the country- perhaps they will go away on there on.
Disgraceful.
Theft is not a native Caymanian issue. There have been many large thefts by expats and non-native Caymanians. Not that that excuses anyone but please let's be fair rather than prejudiced in our comments.
As the original poster I agree 100%. Expats have committed thefts as well and for most cases I would say were dealt with appropriately. Charged and sent to prison- I would argue the prison sentences could be longer/more harsh.
I am not certain the same can be said regarding convicted Caymanians of theft in the work place. The punishment should be swift and severe for all offenders. It will be interesting to watch how this and other situations play out.
Nevertheless. Before there are cuts to the Civil Service, I advocate investigating the top 3 officials of each department/ministry and audit there expenses and any mismanagement of funds. I bet that enough savings could be found in these three upper tiers to help balance the budget and preserve the jobs of the foot soldiers in the CIG. Further, if they fire the upper management who have been mismanaging, along with the Boards who have idley been watching this happen, it will also create promotional opportunities for younger Caymanians who are qualified.
And still I have not heard one cloth of the church step forward with a public statement condemning any of this -expat or Caymanian- why so quiet???
Foreigners tend to get caught in the private sector commiting white collar crimes. The private sector takes them to court to be dealt with.
Most crimes in the civil service are committed by Caymanians, who get away with it either because of the civil service lack of oversight, or their Caymanian bosses just arrange for them to resign.
What rubbish. First of all there have been expats working for the public service who have gotten away Scot free with theft e.g. Sayed. Others like the Pensions guy getoff with a slap on the wrist. Others like the former BNS employee abscond from the jurisdiction.
Stop being such a racist pig.
That was another debacle. What ever became of the Board Members overseeing Sayed… oh wait… nothing. Absolutely nothing. They are all culpible. Sayed, and the entire Board. Insubordination all the way around. And more taxpayers money frivolously p*ssed away…
Isn't it interesting how expats suddenly discover what a native Caymanian is when something negative can be attributed to them. If an expat commits a crime and the question is asked what was his nationality we are met with the response that it doesn't matter, what matters is that he committed a crime and all criminals should be punished. Why doesn't that apply in this case? Why the emphasis on native Caymanians? Rank hypocrisy.
I absolutely agree with the sentiment, but in ascribing a viewpoint to an entire group of people I am afraid you are being equally biased. As the comments on CNS regularly show, there is no shortage of people who are prepared to ascribe the wrongful acts of others, not to individual moral choice, but to their immigration status, whether it be expat or Caymanian (or for that matter "born", "paper" or whatever sub distinctions of 30000 people with exactly the same legal rights some may want to draw). One is as wrong as the other – can we criticise the individual and their actions instead?
Would you prefer "many expats" to "expats"? Just look at the thumbs up to the comment.
Unfortunately the Caymanian "I'm in charge , I can do what I like " sense of entitlement example set by Mac. is contagious.
It's as if honesty and integrity in high office is just a Limey thing that does not apply to people in charge….Thank you Ezzard for not turning a blind eye to this just because it's one of our own.
Stop being so naive. It continues to happen because so many people benefit from it and no one is ever punished.
In such a small place, nothing comes to the surface unless things get completely out of hand. Why speak up when you'll likely have to see them at the grocery store later?
Wouldn't that be awkward?
Exactly or they are your boss and they fire you.
OK, could someone now look at the OTHER Airport Authority and the practices of its senior management including at least one unauthorised salary increase.
They should look at the incompetent boards appointed too! Some of these board members are perpetual do nothings that only want the prestige of being Chairman or the like but every board they chair or are a member of turns into a disaster! Remember CINICO?
I agree……..CINICO is filled with inept, unqualified and unreliable persons. Just take a look at the board. Why is a banker in charge???? Should this position not be held by someone who has qualifications in the medical field? Then why is a senior civil servant (a deputy chief officer may I add) on the board. This is just but one of the many dysfunctional boards filled with nepotism, favoritism and cronyism. To the next govt.”…..PLEASE ensure that when you appoint boards, you do so with reliable and trustworthy individuals.
Wont happen until a certail government agency starts prosecuting, unfortunately that same agency has intinate social relations with the same people, so nothing will happen until Britain comes in and cleans up the whole system.
IF the allegations are true, and the context is true, THEN my only question is WTF is the Board doing?? It cant be that these allegations happened all in one month. Surely the Board must receive monthly, if not bi-weekly, reports from management which would include expenses, etc. Are they asleep in the Board meetings to not notice questionable expenses, spikes in certain expense accounts to the tune of $17000??? Do they even know what an expense account looks like?
Steve McField is a Board Member right? And been a Lawyer for over 40 years now? And been a CIAA Board Member for the last 8 – 10 years? Richard Arch has also been a Board Member for over 8 – 10 years? So, Dick and Steve, is this sort of thing normal at CIAA for the last 10 years?
Also, most likely some Board Members would have attended such big retreats and events to run up a $17000 tab), and may have also brought along some of their friends to gorge at the CIAA trough. Check that out first, that may be a reason why the "Board" has not done anything up to this point except fire the CFO.
Jeremy is innocent until proven guilty. And if incompetence, negligence, not obtaining value for money, mal-adminstration, should or ought to have known better, laziness, not qualified, or stupidity is the charge, WWEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL my friend, we better start building anudda 2 Northwards.
"…WTF is the Board doing??"
The board is a big part of the problem, not the solution.
Hang on,something fishy here. Where is the comment from the accused? What is his side to the story? Where is the comment from RCIPS Financial Crimes? Where is the arrest record? If HALF of the events in the 'report' are documented, the Board had a DUTY to report to the Ministry and the Police! What are we missing? This doesn't add up…
Stop playing Batman Ezzard.
Someone has found what appears to be a cover up of criminal activity by employees at / against the company and apparent incompetence / dubious expenses of the CEO. Well donethat whistleblower for trying to bring the facts to the attention of the AUTHORITIES – yes Ezzard authorities not some self appointed vigilante which is all you are in this case.
What you should have done Ezzard is turn the file over to the police and then keep watch to see if they take some action. If time goes by and they appear to be doing nothing and fobbing you off then yes escalate / go public.
Instead you are flying around in your Batmotruck yelling out about what "you" have found out – and quite possibly – compromising the opportunity for the authorities to actually do something about it. Prospects for a fair trial after unsubstantiated soundbites have been broadcast and all that – defence lawyers dream.
Get a grip Ezzard and do the right thing in future – quietly hand it over to the authoriites -rather than look to grab more headlines in this entirely self serving way.
CNS not sure you should have published either – surely you too had a duty to refer it to the RCIPS and consider whether they should be given the opportunity to make intital investigations before those potentially being investigated get a loud blast on the horn warning them. Not saying to withold forever but to consider timing / opportunity / need for the law to be given the chance to operate.
You're an idiot. The police are already supposedly investigating the matter. They had escorted Mr. Jackson from the CIAA premises sometime ago. Obviously the person who turned the information over to Ezzard is concerned that, as with previous matters, the police will simply bury it. Brining it to public attentions that hey are under pressure to do something about it.
Forgive me for being an idiot in your eyes. What this idiot doesn’t see anywhere in the report is the information you seem to have that the RCIPS was aware of the contents of the board report and have decided to do nothing about it. Congratulations on being so well informed!!
Shocking as this is, this is Cayman, people; it goes on everywhere. Many people steal from their companies without prosecution, & don't do much work. Govt. is the worst for theft, corruption, & so on; it's everywhere. It's gonna take a long time to clear this place up.
What.the.@ss???
They should really "sweep clean" most heads of departments… Someone should look into the Director of the Public Service Pensions Board.
For real!!
Annual performance bonuses???!!
That's OUR pension money!
Agreed…these people have to pay for their bling,fancy cars and shopping trips to Miami…and their salaries just don't seem to cut it, so they take some from the cash register, because no one will check, and if they do, no problem, it'll be okay , we're family, all Caymanians together.
If they took this seriously it would create a dangerous precedent for virtaully every other government department and senior civil servant. After all they're only following McKeeva and JOCC's examples. When will people understand this is where the money has been going? This attitude is why we can't stay within a half billion dollar budget for an country of 50,000 people. This is how all that income from expats and business gets "distributed" to the locals- they just leave the till open and look the other way. And it's going to take nothing short of UK intervention to get it closed again. Too many people have been enjoying the perks for too long for there to be change from within the CIG.
Worse behaviour than this is going on in the other government departments. There is no accountability or reporting and there are never any charges or investigations. The worst the theives need to fear is suspension with full pay and that only happens if they step on the wrong toes. More public money is stolen, wasted and misappropriated by the Cayman government than is actually spent legitimately. It is the single reason why the government is continually broke and why fees have to keep increasing until nobody will do comehere.
If you know this to be fact, drop the documents through the window of Ezzards truck. Get on with it!
Whistleblowers UNITE!
you sure he nah family to conway twitty (:))
08.44- your point is only valid if something is actually being done. Are RCIPS involved, actively? Or is it being swept under the carpet? Are these people someone importants friends? We need to know. If true, criminal charges must be pursued..where is the AG? RCIPs need to make a statement, even if it ios only that it is being investigated.
I'll bet RCIPS only found out about all this today. If there was an on-going investigation into the thefts it wouldn't exactly be a covert operation.
All i can say is wow…
Wow, wow is correct, it gets even more interesting, two particular board members………. the Chairman has an operating company at the airport……… a direct conflict XXXX ……. and another board member also has an operating company…….. another direct conflict. These are the very things that go against the Anti-corruption law.
The Acting CEO also has a operating company at teh airport, limos and executive cars i think. Is this a conflict too?
You bet it is..since HE is the one who has the authority to approve/disapprove companies from being able to go to the airport to pick up passengers..no worries..his business partner is a local lawyer, so all is good..
Sorry to hear these allegations on a son of the soil. I wonder if the North Side MLA always keeps his truck door open fro information to be dropped in.
I am sorry that people use the discriminatory concept of "son of the soil". It is like something out of Harry Potter.
Amazing how these documents keep being found on or in his truck, isn't it?
Actually, he leaves the window cracked an inch or 2 and has a bumper sticker that says, "Drop info here"
Pretty clever I'd say.
Perhaps people give this info to Ezzard because they know they can trust him to bring it to light, rather than sweep it under the carpet, say nothing, and allow such practices to continue like others we don't care to mention here.
everybody know this but no body can point finger without prove, and zzard have alot to cover his back
Everyday we wake up and find yet another Caymanian accused of stealing!!! As hard as life can be sometimes that is the last thing i think about is stealing! I have been employed for the last 14 years as a Senior Finance Officer and it has NEVER occured to me to steal from my company. Some days all i have for lunch is a PB&J sandwich and i drive home on fumes but thank god when i put my head down on my pillow i get a full honest nights rest.
to 08:53
you really have alot of nerve to comment seeing as how your a SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER with a company for over 14 years and somehow your unable to budget your money and is forced to drive home on fumes!? makes you really scratch your head and wonder…we as a people need to live within our means and stop watching what the more fortunate has and try to compete for higher status…im sick of seeing people drive benz at the gas station only to see them scrape up 5 bucks in change to put in there car
It sounds like the Senior Finance Officer is trying to live within her means. Even on a decent salary it is tough to get by. All those civil servants with all the bling…someone should be asking some questions!
Has it occured to you that the honest Senior Finance Officer with 14 years experience and having to eat PBJ sandwich and drive home on fumes is not making enough money to live. Some of the salaries being paid in Cayman now is simply third world. The government has allowed poverty to be imported into Cayman and Caymanian now have to adjust to poverty while the politicians all live on high salaries for doing very little. True Caymanians are far from being materialistic and many of those Benz that you see are being driven by caymanians but not Native Caymanians.
Not that it is any consolation but for the record there are plenty of non-Caymanians stealing too.
Unfortunately, if they dig some more they will find that some of the staff cuts out from office early and ends up at the bars with no explanation and it was being fully condoned. Seems one of the former heads of a prominent brotherhood , or whatever you call them, is related to one of those employees and also appointed the last 2 CEOs. Remember the last one who supposedly retired? Shame! Birds of a feather flock together.
As a part time Bracker, I'm reading all this stuff over here in a VERY cold UK. We have had our share of "EXPENSES SCANDALS" by Memebers of Parliament, Government officials etc.. However it seems as though every aspect of Government and Officialdom in Cayman has been abused in recent times. Government credit cards for fuel, private parking areas paved, Ministers going on "Jollys" all over the World etc. etc.. And all this when the Countries finances are in such a mess. It's a little like the UK giving "Aid" to India when an Indian Company can afford to by Jaguar Landrover, then buy Nuclear Submarines from France AND send a rocket to the Moon!!!!!!. Then we as a country have to borrow the money @cos we're broke!!!!. You couldn't make it up, could you!!!!. The World HAS GONE MAD!!!!!!!.
Thanks, the good name you leave for your family will serve them well in the future. Walk good CFO.
How much money does a Senior Finance Officer with a minimum of 14 years of experience make each month?
The fact that you have to eat PB&J and drive home on fumes might suggests that you don’t know how to manage your finances.
How do you sit and judge his cash flow skills and you dont know his personal budget requirements, and his comitments to whatever. I am sick of the people who are always seeking to destroy the messanger. Just like some of our disgusting politicians.
May God bless you and I hope you never have to face challenges such as family members being seriously ill, or having to deal with the untimely death of a spouce , or having to look after your parents who may not be as fortunate. I hope that each day you wake up, you count your blessings.
What type of person gives a troll rateing for that contribution? Parhaps people with troubling consciences.
I thought that Mr Miller was smart enough to know that whilst an investigation is going on nothing has to be explained, jeez I work Public Work and I know better thanthat!
The problem is, nobody is even acknowledging that an investigation is ONGOING..THAT is the part that I think Ezzard is getting at..
Bwoy the Black Crab mentality is still prevalent.
If there is even an ounce of truth to this, heads need to roll. There should be a police investigation as these include criminal activities. The AG needs to get involved as this is a breach of public trust and misuse of office. At the end of the day, a complete overhaul would be needed, the board would need to be terminated and potentially prosecuted for breach of duty and the entire system would need to be rebuilt from the bottom up. And ALL monies should be repaid in full.
But, in Cayman, we do things differently. We shake our heads, slap a wrist or two, fake an overhaul, and let everyone go right back to it…
Why don't these people have a conscience? I guess since the Authority was making money that the proper dealing of it was overlooked. If all of this is true, this is outrageous and I hope that he gets what he deserves