Disqualified Brac candidate guilty of PTA theft
(CNS): Lyndon Leathan Martin (42), a former MLA for Cayman Brac and Little Cayman and a former UDP whip, has been found guilty of stealing $926 from the PTA of the Creek and Spot Bay Primary School. The court found that he collected the cash at a fundraising food sale in 2011 but did not hand it over to the PTA. In Summary Court on the Brac on Friday 26 April, the day following his trial, Acting Magistrate Grace Donalds handed a sentence of $750 or two months in jail for the charge of theft. However, he was found not guilty of deception, relating to charges that he fraudulently cashed PTA cheques amounting to $700. Martin, who was nominated to stand as a candidate in the May 2013 elections, had been disqualified because he was convicted in 2008 of obtaining property by deception.
Since the 2008 conviction was for a dishonesty offence, he was barred from running in any General Election.
On the 5 April, just nine days after Nomination Day (29 March), the Elections Office released a statement: “The Returning Officer for the electoral district of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman has concluded that Mr Lyndon Leathan Martin, who was nominated and consented to such nomination as a candidate for that district, is not qualified to be elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly pursuant to section 62(1)(e) of the Cayman Islands Constitution Order 2009.”
Martin told CNS in response to his disqualification, "I completely disagree with the ruling but will have to accept it. My police record is completely clean."
However, even if he had not been disqualified for the 2008 conviction, this latest court ruling would have meant that he could not run for office under the current constitution.
Martin represented the Sister Islands in the LA from 2000-2005 and, together with his fellow Brac MLA Juliana O’Connor Connolly, he was a founding member of the United Democratic Party in 2001, following the ousting of Kurt Tibbetts as leader of government business. While O'Connor-Connolly was initially given the job of speaker by the new LOGB, McKeeva Bush, Martin became the party whip (a member charged with ensuring that party members vote according to the official party policy).
Having lost his seat in the 2005 election to Moses Kirkconnell, Martin failed to regain it in the 2009 General Election.
Category: Crime
For all those great mathematicians who have come up with the conclusion that there was $176 profit – did you not think that the money may have been paid to the PTA previously? Perhaps it was conveniently omitted from the news story.
What about the businesses that lost out when the cheques were cashed – they have not been reimbursed. The court may not have found him guilty of deception but there are a few Brac businesses who are out of pocket and can tell you otherwise.
Has anyone asked him if he still thinks his police record is completely clean?
Why was the PTA so stupid as to allow a man convicted of dishonesty to hold the money?
Everyone knows he is a compulsive thief! He recognized an opportunity to steal cash and he acted alone. Shame on those commentors that justify his actions because others "Have put him down and excluded him from jobs" Who would knowingly hire such a dishonest and immoral person, educated or not?? Wake up people.
Here's Johnnny!!!!!! Well John Evans Tempura's biggest loser here lies your accomplice who you claim has not been convicted of nuttin! stealing from the PTA no less how truly low can you get???? They said you are company you keep and when you scratch a liar you always get a thief! His little Brac mafia group could not save him this this time, looks like even them have a little morality and standards still left eh??????
What a mockery of justice. Coincidence that his original lawyer that kept this case from trial for almost two years by not showing up for trial was none other than Mckeeva's council?? No re-payment ordered in the sentence when the magistrate knows full well the PTA is not in a position to proceed with a civil case to re-coup the funds??? XXXX
Just wondering if inflation was taken into account this time with the sentencing…
Disappointed Spartan
Back in the day this young U. of Tampa Spartan saw the brilliant potential of Mr. Lyndon Martin. Smart with the books and a fine orator/speaker/debater. Just a few short years later he was by far the best public speaker in Government. Unfortunately Mr. Lyndon made some mistakes and got caught. I see that plenty of people are kicking him when he is down (my what a fine thing for any so-called "Christians" to do).
Mr. Lyndon stop,stop, stop the madness – you are way too smart for all of this stuff – be a man, get things straightened out and start living back up to your potential.
A true friend,
Go Spartans
"he made a mistake and got caught". So would it have been ok to make a mistake as long as he didn't get caught?
I don't think this is about kicking someone when they are down. I think this is more with the general people getting fed up of someone trying to make a quick buck on their expense, when others have to drag themselves every day to a job that they don't like!
Amen!
Lyndon you are a disgrace!!!
How come he has been dealt with so severely from all quarters and there is another sticky finger politician on the ballot in Grand Cayman. Seems like some real double standards here.
Has he/she been convicted?
Another bright udp star to brag about keke lol!
Caymanian
"stealing $926 from the PTA of the Creek and Spot Bay Primary School."
What a role model for the children.
Give yourself a pat on the back Lyndon.
What a disgrace.
Another candidate for the UDP Roll of Honour.
What alot of votes that Lyndon can now direct to Moses K and David. Just his family alone is a truck load full plus the big audience that he had. Never mind Bo Bo get yourself a good Lawyer and the end results will perhaps be so good that you can tell them to put the jobs where the sun dosent shine. We feel sorry for you because we know that you have been kept down, but the sun will shine in you back door one day too just wait and see.
Only in Cayman!! Who says crime doesn't pay. Steal $926 and get fined $750! That'll teach him your honour!
Yup, he made a $176 profit with no intress on that loan lol. But wait, the PTA is still short $926 ????!!@@#$%$%% ????
According to the Compass story he also repaid the $926 to the PTA.
http://www.compasscayman.com/caycompass/2013/05/01/Lyndon-Martin-found-guilty-of-theft/
He didn't pay that. Someone bailed him out as usual.
About time. One down, three more to go.
You have that wrong… What about mour moneys that did all that paving on private propertys?
So sorry that we have lost one of our best Public Speakers. We are tired of the bragging about qualification and the other rambling ons with the little white lies in between, and the prayers. At least when Lyndon opens his mouth you can hear that he is educated, he dosent have to bragg and say it, instead unlike some people who says it but dosent sound like an educated. Maybe instead of spending so much moneys on trips they can get some training on Public speaking and attire.
Two months and small fine WTF!!!!!!! Man oh man these magistrates need to set an example of these people.. They are surpassed to be role models for the younger generation. Sh… I’m the fool here what was I thinking statement not true, have the UDP arein court…
If a person really loves his country and respected the overall countries opinion that person would not run in an election and would without for 4yrs. Till either found guilty or not guilty. Oh forgot no morals or love of country here, just a banana republic… Steal what we can should be caymans new slogan…..
Another fine upstanding citizen! Seriously….what is wrong with these people. "My police record is completely clean"- is he denying that the conviction exists?
Mr Martin you are a thief, go away.
Know what this poor mans problem is? Let me tell you that our great ju ju would not even give this educated young man a job. She is all for her self. When you are hungry you know what you will do? To those who kept him down you are no better than he, at least ALOT of people love him and are sorry for him as they know the story well. Sorry he did not get to run as he was a winner, why do you think so much pressure was put onhim not to run, what a shame. Every D0G has his day God dosnt sleep nor slumber.
Apparently, you don't know Lyndon. He has been given many chances but he has a serious case of sticky fingers. Who the hell steals from the PTA?
I know Lyndon quite well, but what thief will steal such a small amount of money? He had to be desperately in need. I GET TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE CONVENIENTLY borrowed the money innhis hard times poor guy. Remember he has children that have alot of need just like yours. Anyhow we dont give our Caymanians there are going to be more of this type of happening. Lyndon was decently raised by very good parents, but unfortunately he went down the wrong path with wrong company. However he needs to be given a chance as most of the Bracers wanted for him,but certain people for their own benefit wanted to get him out of their way. Just remember you all have children too.
Um, not quite understanding your logic here, are you saying its ok to steal if you have children?
Ever heard of borrowing?
He was put in a position (or positions) of trust and he abused that by stealing. He is a thief, plain and simple.
Hogwash! Blame everybody else again n again n again!
People like you is exactly what is wrong with Cayman today. Always and excuse and always a story instead of holding someone responsible. He is not the only one who has children and serious financial hard times. Does this mean everyone shall go now and take "convenient loans" or steal?
Come on! Others hold jobs which they managed to get on their own and try and pay their bills and keep their famililes afloat! I would be VERY angry if my representative would suggest someone for a position who has a criminal record. He has made his choice, he needs to suffer the consequence………..
It tends to be easier to get “someone out of the way” when they are a common thief.
Regardless of what his needs may have been, it still does not justify stealing. If he so badly needed the money, then he should have asked for a loan. That would have been the honourble thing to do. It is time to stop making excuses for Caymanians and/or politicians (or persons in positions of trust) that clearly and without regard for others or respect for the psotions that they hold, to breach that trust.
I have children and I don't receive child support from their father but I'm not and never would dream of stealing from the PTA. He basically stole from his own children.
You think $900 is a small amount of money? I wish I had $900 but that is besides the point. Stealing is stealing.
“Most of the Bracers”?? Which most?? Most if not all that I talk to see him for what he is: a lying thieving idiot. And I whole heartedly agree.
Hungry, HUNGRY? Or is he just upset because he can't maintain a certain lifestyle???
I guarantee you that the majority of the people in these Islands who claim they are hungry, never experienced what real hunger is! I know there are millions of hungry and starving children in this world who experience REAL hunger.
He needs to get of his ass and hold a real job and stop trying to make a quick buck, either by stealing or running for election.
My hands are clean and my heart is pure also.
" founding member of the United Democratic Party" and Juliana O’Connor Connolly's UDP running mate. kind of says it all.
There must be a conspiracy against Mr Martin. One man could not have done all of the things that he has been accused over the years.
Does the new UDP ethics code make it compulsory to have stolen money, get involved in deception and to lie about it?
Well, constitutionally he may not be able to run be he is now more than qualified to be a UDP advisor…
Advising the dead do not pay well. The UDP is in the same boat as Lyndon.
People who commit fraud never stop, even after being convicted and jailed. They continue to go where the money is.
He stole $926, but if he pays a fine of $750 e doesnt go to jail? No compensation award? And the $700 is a wash. WTF
He had already paid back the $926 to the PTA.
One down…