Bush denies buying $1M PhD

| 17/05/2013

mac degree.jpg(CNS): The leader of the UDP and former premier has denied any knowledge of a $1 million donation given to the University College of the Caribbean in connection with the honorary doctorate that the college was to bestow on him before his untimely arrest last December. In a statement released to the media in the wake of CNS' headline story on Thursday night revealing the details of the donation and the police investigation now underway, McKeevaBush said he knew nothing of the donation and this was the first he had ever heard of it. He said that it was no coincidence that he was arrested just before he was due to go to Jamaica to receive this award and the report was part of a continuing campaign by the Cayman governor, the opposition and others to influence the outcome of the election.

However, the college confirmed to CNS last week that the gift it received was in connection with the honorary doctorate it had planned to give to Bush but that it had been returned given the circumstances. The Anti-Corruption Commission and the police also confirmed that the issue was now the subject of yet another investigation against Bush.

Bush categorically denied any wrongdoing and insisted he knew nothing of the circumstances of the loan, in a statement in which he implied CNS was also part of a conspiracy against him. He said the report regarding the money that paid for the anticipated doctorate allegedly by a New York bank was just part of the ever-growing conspiracy to prevent him not only from being elected but to remove him from the electoral process altogether.

Despite the allegations made by Bush, CNS can confirm it has no connections to the governor's office, the police commissioner, the opposition or other candidates.

"CNS has taken an editorial position to push for transparency and accountability in government," said CNS journalist, Wendy Ledger. "Ignoring this story would have been to neglect our duties as members of the news media."

See Bush's statement in full below.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Category: Politics

About the Author ()

Comments (118)

Trackback URL | Comments RSS Feed

  1. Anonymous says:

     Wow  , Look at the Social Issues in West Bay.

     Sad state of affairs

    We really need change in that District.

     But it will take a MIRACLE from God to help us ( i beleive)

     to keep the Status Grants votes from putting back in the same leadership 

    • Anonymous says:

      Why all the bad talk about the status grants. I got one (the ‘bad’ one) and I would NEVER vote for makeeva bush, or anyone like him!

      • Anonymous says:

        I agree – many of the status grants people have left the island and will not vote.

        Many others I know will never vote for McKeeva, one in particular on the sister islands is extremely vocal with his anti McKeeva / Dart on the social media sites.

        Yes he will get some status votes – but its mainly the West Bayers who will do most of the damage.

        Lord help us tomorrow.

         

  2. Anonymous says:

    It would be, but he won't be.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I would agree with 21:38 about Alden bringing a vote of no confidence but my question is…..What the hell took him so long? Sorry but Macmadman and his disciples (the UDP) have been raping Cayman and all but a few chosen Caymanians for 3.5 years and Alden waited til the 11th hour to bring a vote of no confidence?  Not my kind of  Opposition Leader there.  Duncan Taylor has been asleep at the helm too for too long also.  Hopefully on May 22nd we will clean house and get some men and women of integrity in the LA who can turn this ship back on course and also hopefully in August we will get a real Governor, not one that only knows whats going on when there is a swim meet.  UK….please send us someone with experience and balls who is not blind to corruption or deaf to the people's cries.

    • Anonymous says:

      It appears that you were the one who was asleep for the past 4 years? The PPM brought THREE motionsof no confidence over the course of McKeeva's term starting in 2011. 

    • Anonymous says:

      While I agrre with your sentiments in general, in your last sentence you appear to be precluding the appointment of a woman as our new governor.

  4. Anonymous says:

     

    The biggest problem is Mac will be the next premier!

     

     

     

  5. Baldric says:

    Mac is a smart guy and must have two honorary degrees already because I heard the police were planning to give him the Third Degree soon.

  6. Miss Alie N Us says:

    Would this have been an (Honorable "BUSH" Doctor) in perpetuity?

  7. Richard Wadd says:

    Just proves that even $1million can’t by him Respectability or Class.

  8. Anonymous says:

     

    Mr. Bush will never take any responsibility for his actions. It will always be the fault of someone else. I listen in amazement to the UDP speak of "change", "taking the Country back" and "the best way forward".  Who exactly are they taking the Country back from? Changing from them back to them?? 

    The UDP under his leadership, had three and a half years to tackle unemployment, they didn't, now they speak of what they will do to get people jobs!!??

    The brave MLA's who removed him from office shouldn't have had to. He should have done the "Honourable" thing and stepped down. The PNA, PPM and C4C shouldn't have to defend their stance when they say that they won't support a government led by him, because he should have done the "Honourable" thing and not present himself as a candidate in this election!

    I sincerely think that Mr. Bush at one point had the best interest of the Country and it's people at heart, however I also believe in the saying "power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely".

    Signed,

    A Very Concerned West Bay Voter

    • Anonymous says:

      Agree.   They "tackled unemployment" by giving concessions to an already rich man, which disatvantaged the existing Caymanian businesses and employers.   Mr. Bush should not have been allowed to run for office.   Hopefully, he'll be doing a different type of running quite shortly.   

  9. Anonymous says:

    Breaking News – Shaggy has today announced that he has found his long lost twin brother in the Cayman Islands !!!

    So Mac let me see if I got this all right ? Governor Taylor, the FCO, The President of the University College in Jamaica, Ezzard, Chuckie, Arden, Alden, the PPM, the C4C, GLF, Stan Thomas, Rollie, CG, the various UK Ministers, Dan Duguay, the current Auditor General, the Commissioner of Police, the RCIP, Brian Tomlinson, The Current Owners of the Ritz Carlton, Peter Campbell, Austin, Gilbert, Benson, the Jefferson's etc etc etc are all in a huge conspiracy againstyou ???

    I mean that is some high level thinking Mac. Certainly you must be right as according to you you are never wrong.

    Shaggy we would gladly pay for your long lost brother to be reunited with you in the country of your choice.

    Just name the country. We have our own airline and will fly him direct to you at a moment's notice !!! Please Shaggy the quicker you respond the quicker we will get your twin to you !!!

    • Anonymous says:

      And me. You left me off the list of conspirators. I’m in on it too. (Psst. Big meeting at my place tonight guys)

  10. Anonymous says:

    Third world.

  11. Anonymous says:

    It's quite obvious they are all out to get him. The poor man didn't even get to receive his degree of because they timed it so he would be arrested for just before he could. And now we find out that this evil cabal paid the university one million dollars and made it look like it came from the Honorable Mr. Bush to further disgrace him. 

    These people will stop at nothing to destroy our dear leader. 

  12. Miss Alie N Us says:

    Would this have made him a "Bush Doctor"?

  13. Anonymous says:

    He shudda bought Joey's ticket for him poor fella, went tripping over there with him and had to use Germent credit card to pay for his plane ticket!!

    • Anonymous says:

      And on top of going to support Mac using Govt credit card, he bragged about the first class hotel and motorcade and the media coverage, leaving us all believing he had foot this bill all by himself !!! what a bunch of Pirates !!

  14. Anonymous says:

    Wow UDP campaign went all out today – police escort and everything! Guess those status grants are really getting value for money now……..

  15. Kadafe says:

    What really frightens me, giving benefit of the doubt until he is proven guilty. Is that there is someone out there that can authorize a million dollar wire transfer without knowledge of the minister of finance knowledge or approval? That is scary. For all we know this can be happening everyday. Something is fishy here. It just doesn’t seem right that those amounts of money can be passed around without approval of someone in charge. Scary.

  16. 4 cayman says:

    Oh Richard where are you? You forgot to cancel the wire transfer. How many times are you going to #%¥ up?

  17. 4 Cayman says:

    Question if mr. Bush is convicted would he lose his OBE and JP credentials? Also what about his title The Honourable?

    We would like to know?

    • Anonymous says:

      He seems to have lost his marbles, so maybe we should let him keep anything that doesn't cost us money every month.

  18. Anonymous says:

    Is he denying that he is alive?????? Cause if he isn’t, this must be the only thing on God’s green earth that he hasn’t denied. With all that is hanging over his head now andwho knows how much more might come, I suggest that the Governor refuse to swear him in IF he is elected. I know the thumbs down will be plenty for this statement BUT the man has caused this country too much pain, embarrassment and has cast a dark shadow over our little country and the only ones not seeing this or accepting it are those who continue to take communion and drink from the kool aid cup of McKeeva Bush.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Dear 5anta,

    i want a roadway set, and a dock, and a statue, and a diploma…

  20. Anonymous says:

    If he gets in this time, please do not blame us West Bayers, but blame the Jamaicans. The West Bayers have jumped ship, its mostly his family and the Jamaicans standing by him.

  21. Anonymous says:

    I heard UDP is changing to the LDA party

    Lie

    Deny

    Alibi

     

  22. Anonymous says:

    You tell em Willie No-No!

    • Anonymous says:

      In West Bay – the following candidates shall win the election: Mckeeva Bush, Bernie Bush, Velma Powery and Captain Eugene.

      Whether you like it or not,  that will be the outcome in West Bay on May 22.

  23. Anonymous says:

    For Mac PhD = Power-hungry Dictator.

     

  24. Anonymous says:

    For a million dollars CHEC could probably give everyone in West Bay a PhD in chinese medicine.

  25. Anonymous says:

    Bush NEVER does anything wrong eh?….at least not according to him!

    In his mind it seems that he believes everyone who even dares to ask a question that he doesn't like, then they are out to "make me look bad", to use his often repeated response!

    Much of his utterances, and behavior, would normally suggest a mental health evaluation!

  26. Anonymous says:

    Bush response is as Shaggy said in his song, "It wasn't me" !!! 
     

  27. Anonymous says:

    Has Bush EVER admitted to ANYTHING…?

  28. WHAT !!!!!!! says:

    Hey can ANYONE please tell me where Ellio ( Lacky Boy ) Solomon the great defender of Mac gone?????  I cant see orhere a word from him…I guess Joey spouting out enough hot air for them all..I say VOTE ALL UDP OUT Vote All UDP wana be's OUT, Vote PNA OUT.Vote PPM and 2 C4C and Bo and Ezzard and Arden in to run this country..

  29. Anonymous says:

    I hope the new government rescinds the law requiring us in perpetuity to call any of the old UDP ministers Honorable.  The word would lose its meaning and become farce. 

  30. Anonymous says:

    “I don’t know anything about that”. “It wasn’t me!” “Everyone is conspiring against me”. “My hands are clean!” “It’s someone else’s fault, not mine!” “Blah, Blah, Blah ………”. Delusional rantings of a madman who considers himself above the law. Please do not vote him back in West Bay.

  31. Anonymous says:

    Did anyone check with Richard to see if he emailed the transfer instructions?

  32. Anonymous says:

    Very interesting. A New York firm took it upon themselves to wire a million dollars to a Jamaican College where Mr Bush was speaking and had been promised a PhD. Then the College sent the money, I mean "gift" back because they couldn't use it. Wake up people! XXXX Mac must really think people are stupid.

  33. Anonymous says:

    Keep up the good work Wendy! What is done in darkness will come to light!

  34. Anonymous says:

    This story gets more fantastical by the day. First we have,among others, allegations regarding the improper use of a government credit card, then information that this was in connection with sums being withdrawn from a casino ATM, then claims that this is all normal and the way lots of others with government credit cards use them………………and now news of an academic institution in Jamaica being in receipt of US$1M in connection with a plan to confer an honoury degree ……. I mean, what other revalations are awaiting discovery?

  35. Anonymous says:

    Silence on this one? Guess everybody is stunned! This is a very sad time for Cayman.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Pardon me, but is the University College of the Caribbean in the business of selling its academic awards? Seems a bit irregular, surely?

  37. Anonymous says:

    Pore ol mac. He na ga no edication. But at least we cant say he didn try

    • Anonymous says:

      He did not try to get an education, he tried to get a degree which is not synonymous with obtaining an education.

  38. Anonymous says:

    I would love to have as much power and influence as Mac says I do.

    The Opposition

  39. Loopy Lou says:

    So, there is a massive multi-party conspiracy or Mac is shifty?  Yes, it definitely is the more simple option that everyone is in on a conspiracy.

  40. Anonymous says:

    It doesn't matter if McKeeva Bush has a PhD or not. At the end of the day, it's an honorary title (let him have it, its as hollow as he is – he didn't do anything to deserve it and everyone knows that). Lets be serious – its not like McKeeva Bush is leaving Cayman and going to work somewhere else in politics after he fails next week… so his PhD is irrelevant. XXXX

    • Anonymous says:

      Mmm…You are mssing the point of this story which is whether it was a benefit corruptly given by a firm which does done business with CIG.

    • Anonymous says:

      He's not hollow – he's full of sh..

  41. Anonymous says:

    Oh please!  Mac you might get some respect if you just did the Jim Bakker thing (US evangelist) and  say 'I have sinned….please forgive my transgressions'. Now you're just a laughing stock as someone who tried to buy a degree he couldn't even spell.

  42. Anonymous says:

    What an idiot.

  43. Anonymous says:

    I feel there are more out there who are just as responsible for overseeing that things like this DON’T happen! Where were his advisors? People who were paid to oversee that irregularities like this doesn’t have a chance to occur! You mean to tell me, this is is the security our country had? Fail on ALL of you!

    • Anonymous says:

      Indeed.The slight difficulty is that evidently Mr.Bush will take no counsel from man nor beast and simply does whatever takes his fancy..

  44. Anonymous says:

    "Bush denies" IS GOING TO BE A RECURRING THEME.

     

  45. Anonymous says:

    Is Bush asking for us to believe him? He hasn’t explained the Stan Thomas issue; he didn’t turn the economy around in 90 days; and now he wants us to believe that someone out of the blue donated a million dollars for his “doctorate” degree? I’d be a Jackass if I believe that!

  46. Anonymous says:

    Its them, not me lol What a load of bo**ocks. If Cayman elects this moron again then you will get everything you deserve

    • Anonymous says:

      22.18, No! Cayman will suffer what the West Bayers deserve, and there's little that the sane element of the electorate can do about it, and it sickens me!

  47. Anonymous says:

    "CNS has taken an editorial position to push for transparency and accountability in government," said CNS journalist, Wendy Ledger. "Ignoring this story would have been to neglect our duties as members of the news media."

    ​That's a good explanation for writing the story but what's the explanation for the mickey mouse pic?  

     

    CNS: It's funny.

    • Anonymous says:

      And more respectful than the Hamburglar.

    • Anonymous says:

      It IS funny, and former Premier Bush deserves the 'funny' being posed toward him.   God knows we all deserve to have our laugh.   It doesn't begin to make up for the damage he's done over the past years, but it's something. 

  48. Anonymous says:

    Aren't we the sensible people of this Island glad that Mr. Alden McLaughlin, the Leader of the Opposition, brought that Vote of No Confidence against this man, I can't believe this is happening all over again. All I have to say is thank God for Mr. McLaughlin's vision and all the other MLA's that took part in this process. Mr. Bush should not even be allowed to run for elections with the load he is carrying on his shoulders, and be aware Mr. Bush how you are using the Lord Almighty name in vain, he is a revengeful God. Thank God for the Leader of the PPM. Thank you Mr. McLaughlin.

    • Bling Man says:

      Ya but why something na done a lot sooner?  Why it go on so long?

      • Anonymous says:

        The rass is wrong with dum*sses in this country?? Three, THREE motions of no confidence against the UDP governement over the course of the administration and you talking about why they didn't do it sooner!!!! The last one only finally succeeded because the UDP lite rats were scrambling. 

      • Dred says:

        It was not his first no confidence motion.

  49. Anonymous says:

    This reminds me of the Lance Armstrong story. Deny, deny, deny…meanwhile speculations, investigations and charges continue to mount. In the end it all caught up with Lance. The truth finally came out and he was stripped of everything (rightfully so).

    McKeeva, will your “story” end the same?!

    I guess we’ll know in due time.

  50. Anonymous says:

    So, in very difficult economic times, budgets srained, and with the U.K. – Cayman relationship stressed to a breaking point over government spending, "someone" can spend a million dollars and the government leader suggsts he had no knowledge of that expense. What a leader! Great governance sir…

     

  51. Anonymous says:

    I was just wondering since he did not finish High School how come he could earn a degree…just asking? Don't you need a Secondary Education before you move onto Tertiary Education??

    • Anonymous says:

      This particular degree wasn’t earned – it being bought.

    • Anonymous says:

      It was not an earned degree, he was receiving an honorary degree from a university in Jamaica. If the degree conferred had to be earned, the only degree he could earn woiuld be a BS degree in BS.

  52. Anonymous says:

    It wasn't me!

  53. A Guilty Pleasure says:

    Yea that's right Mac, you didn't know anything about this $1 million payment to the UCC "on your behalf"! You stick to your story Mac, we believe you, you didn't know a thing about it, yea! It's the governor's fault Mac. We know Mac, it is always someone elses fault, the governor, the FCO, the commissioner of police, the opposition, Ezzard Miller, Arden Mclean, the press, it's a vendetta agains you & we know somone else dd it, & someone else even received your play-play degree. We know Mac, you are always innocent, we do believe you. So many accusations, investigations, suspicions of corruptions, charges, & so many more to come, but we know it is others, not you Mac. We know for sure Mac that you wouldn't pay $1million for a degree that you could easily & honestly earn. You stick to your story Mac, we believe you.  

  54. Anonymous says:

    Mac and Shaggy must be brothers. It wasn't me !!!

  55. Anonymous says:

    Follow the $$$$$$$$$$$$$

    Mac u will be a disgrace  to the Cayman Islands forever !!!!!!!!!!!

  56. Anonymous says:

    Typical Mac!  More "Ididn't know" and 'nobody told me"

  57. Anonymous says:

    Richard, you sen dat by acciden?

    • Anonymous says:

      Which Financial Officer/Chief Officer signed for this one million dollars to be processed, and did  not question the details for the transaction, and whose account in New York is it lodge to?? I hope it will be  returned to help the people of the Cayman Islands as we are bad off.

  58. Dred says:

    Hope no one thought he would say he did.

    The old people say “time longer than rope” and “what is done in the dark will one day come to light” ooh yeah and “sooner or later the chickens will come home to roost” or in Big Mac case or cases ROAST.

    This is a culmination of many years of doing things his way finally catching up with him.

    Generally speaking I wish no ill will on any man but you must lie in the bed you make.

  59. Stiffed-Necked Fool says:

    As usual its never Bush's fault. Everyone else is to blame but Bush! Oh yes, someone or company has out of the goodness of their generous little heart, has decided to donate US$1million to the College so that Bush can receive a honorary doctorate from a college in Jamaica. Come on Bush, give us a little credit, we are ALL not idiots like how you have a few of your blind followers

    I have never come across a saint on earth until I have met the man that Bush believes he is! That person that Bush protrays himself as, is the only ever saint on the face of the earth! it's a pity that Bush could not be one, one hundreth of the person his "imaginary" person is, then Cayman would be alright. If the West Bayers really vote this man back in as their representative, we really need to cut West Bay off at the canal that Bush gave Dart permission to build, and push them out to sea, far away from the rest of us!

    There is no way that after everything that Bush has done, that even West Bayers will vote for him. I really don't believe they that "Fool Fool", but then again, maybe!

  60. Anonymous says:

    OK I read the report and the denial – is a straight out purchase a donation?

  61. Anonymous says:

    Ya, ya, ya, clean hands, pure heart, don't even know what a credit card is, never heard of Vegas, never heard of China Harbour, never heard of the Ritz, ………

  62. Anonymous says:

    WOW yet another conspiracy against our dearly beloved forever honerable mr ex premier. What on earth is this world coming to? Hopefully our RCIPS will be smart to add this one to the other eleven.

  63. Anonymous says:

    Wow Keke just WOW! Your shit just continues to get stinker.

  64. Anonymous says:

    Hysterical. I sure wish someone would donate 1 million USD ( that I didn't know about ) to a cause that only suits me – or better yet, straight into my bank account.   UGH.                                      

  65. Anonymous says:

    1st Cayman Bank is coming back to haunt you Kee Kee.  Your days are numbered.  All you got West Bay is crack heads and Jamaicans to put you back in office.

  66. Anonymous says:

    And Adolph Eichmann had no idea Jews were being transported in his trains.

  67. Anonymous says:

    PNA is getting my vote this time because PPM is all about implementing austere measures like cutting civil servants. They will not continue the Dart projects and at least PNA will do so. The others it seems want to tear down what the UDP has built up, and that to me is the wrong attitude to have. You should continue the projects and what was started for the good of the country. Don't say Alden or Roy that youre going to cut civil servants… because you don't know the consequences of so many people without jobs! 

    • Anonymous says:

      BS! If Alden wanted to cut civil servants he would have done so just before last election to help correct the deficit that would give PPM a black eye. Instead PPM said that the civil servants must keep their jobs and they list the election.

    • Anonymous says:

      “Stupid is as stupid does”. Forrest Gump

  68. Anonymous says:

    Bush in Denial full stop should be the next headline.  That would say it all.

  69. Anonymous says:

    Poor McKeeva. What else is he going to say? I know nothing about anyone paying $1m for my honorary doctorate. This is all a vast conspiracy against me. It is all coincidence that the 1$m  got returned when I did not receive my doctorate …blah blah blah. You really take us all for fools.

  70. Big Whopper says:

    Mac: what million dollars you talking about?…what Honorary Doctorate?…Who is Dr.Herbert?….as a matter of fact, where is Jamaica?…

    West Bayers: you tell um Bobo….

  71. Anonymous says:

     "It was no coincidence that he was arrested just before he was due to go to Jamaica to receive this award and the report was part of a continuing campaign by the Cayman governor, the opposition and others to influence the outcome of the election."  I believe that statement. The UK don't want UDP in because UDP is about growing the economy with the help of Dart. If Cayman economy becomes prosperous, the UK would be unable to flex its colonial muscle at will, because Cayman would have a strong economy to fall on – that is of course they dont declare full rule on us. But when UDP was asking for the UK to borrow and they refuse, Mac had to make deals with Dart and others to bring us back, and now they more than ever will ensure he don't get back in power. Well … Governor and Opposition … we will see

  72. PickedMyPoison says:

    Say what? He didn't know?!

    Oh. Because he just got friends, who got friends, who got friends, who got it like that!!

    Please. I'll buy that excuse once you roll over and play possum McKeeva.