Mac employed port workers
(CNS): Although politicians are supposed to play no part in the recruitment of public sector workers, the auditor general has revealed that McKeeva Bush, after he was elected to office in June 2009, instructed the Port Authority to hire two men, who reportedly never did the work they were supposedly employed for. In a report released by Alastair Swarbrick’s office on Tuesday regarding the many poor governance issues plaguing several of Cayman’s statutory authorities and government companies (SAGCs), he described the move by Bush as undue political influence. He further revealed that the men were paid a total of $90,000 and were first employed by Bush in January 2004 when he was the Port Authority chairman.
In his report on the financial and performance reporting of statutory authorities and government companies for the year ending June 2011, Swarbrick explained that the two men were taken on at the request of Bush to install and maintain a buoy system, as well as control and monitor boat access at the Sandbar in the North Sound and report any non-compliance with the rules at the marine attraction. However, the work was never completed and no reports regarding activity with boats at the Sandbar was ever done.
The men, who had been employed on Bush’s instructions in 2004, were terminated sometime in 2005. But when the former premier was returned to office and government in 2009, he issued instructions to the port director to reinstate the same two men at a rate of pay of $1,000 per month.
“Up to February 2012 atotal of $90,000 had been paid to these individuals without any evidence of workbeing done,” the report stated. “Senior management informed my auditors that the installation of the buoys was never completed and no report of any kind was ever filed.”
Swarbrick said that the management of the Port Authority was responsible for employment and neither board members nor politicians should be hiring staff. He said the action was a “clear example of undue political influence” that he said undermineed the ability of the organisation to function effectively.
He also raised concerns about the port failing to comply with its own laws regarding fiscal management and problems with the management of its commercial leases, as well as board members being involved in contract negotiations and the use of sole source contracts for procurement without going through the proper channels.
The port was not the only entity where Swarbrick and his team had concerns, the report reveals.
Although the report was focused primarily on updating the public and the Legislative Assembly on the situation regarding financial reporting, the auditor general also took time to examine many of the other issues relating to government entities that are undermining value for money. He recorded numerous problems in addition to the financial issues at many of the SAGCs.
Some were far more serious than others, in particular the Cayman Islands Development Bank, where the board chairman in 2009/10 approved a loan for $131,000 with a 61% shortfall in insurance, which, despite a poor payment history, was increased to $329,000 the following year when the original loan was five months in arrears. All of the usual bank conditions were waived by the board chair, exposing the bank to significant loss, Swarbrick found.
In another case, a customer who did not meet the bank’s lending criteria was given a loan for $232,000 because of requests from politicians. There were also several occasions where the bank breached its own credit policy, giving loans to those who could not pay. In one instance, although the customer had an outstanding loan at another institution that was in arrears, the individual was given a loan based purely on a verbal statement that he could pay. Furthermore, the report said that there was missing documentation on loan files.
The government auditor also raised issues about the interference of board members in the management of Cayman’s airport. From board directors sitting in on interviews for regular staff to interference in the day to day management of the airport, he found numerous issues, including serious conflicts of interest of board members, which has also been reported on CNS. (See related article)
The massive hikes in fees for the former board chair, deputy and directors at the National Housing and Development Trust were also noted by Swarbrick. He pointed out that the tab for their meetings more than doubled in the 2010/11 financial year to $110,000 compared to the previous year’s price tag of $49,000 when they had increased the number of meetings and the pay for each one.
There were many other issues relating to a significant number of the government entities which Swarbrick said were cause for serious concern when it came to the breakdown of governance and management.
In addition to the obvious problems with accounting practices and financial management, the auditor general pointed to numerous worrying management failures that placed public money at risk and exposed the organisations to potential fraud or corruption.
Speaking at a press briefing about the report on Tuesday, Swarbrick refused to be drawn on whether he had reported any of his findings to the Anti-Corruption Commission, of which he is a member, but said it would be up to the commission to reveal what, if anything, it was investigating. He noted, however, that his office had an obligation under the law to report any findings of corruption.
In his report he said that while there was some improvement in financial reporting, there was still a long way to go before effective financial accountability was restored and warned that poor or late accounts were not the only problems.
“A number of matters I have raised in the conduct of my audits, such as the breakdown of governance, are very significant. I believe the Legislative Assembly should act to ensure SAGCs take action to mitigate the risks and opportunities for loss or abuse in the use of public resources,” he wrote.
See report posted below.
Category: Local News
Yup. McKeeva is a West Bay "Robin Hood".
As a direct descendant of Robin Hood I object to this remark. My relationdid not steal from the people. He stole from the bad buys and gave back to the people.
This is the third world way and very popular here. It is not a democracy.
The question I pose, is where did the money he handed out to the poor come from. Was it his or did he just get confused as to what was his and what belonged to the people? Being well equipped to be the Minister of Finance with his signature on the bank notes coupled with his gardening qualifications he may have got confused. It is tough at the top, ask any bank director.
it's buying votes while "looking out for your own" (as you so vividly explain). There's a way to do the latter without doing the former. Whether you choosethis approach boils down to personal integrity. Me? I'd rather lose an election and retain my integrity.
You are coming accross as a corrupt idiot, and an apologist for criminal behaviour (in case you did not realize).
Has anyone seen Foolio since the election?
What about the Jordanian? I hope a cat did not get his tongue…
Well we all have our views of Mack and most of them are negative for good reason. But unlike most politicians Mack has helped various people in many ways. By employing them or using his power to influence people to employ them. By giving hand outs to people in need…. At the end of the day say what you want but the reason he continues to win in the WB district is because he extends a helping hand to those people. Some may call it buying votes but others call it looking out for you own. And the mentality is if he looks out for me I’m going to look out for him.
How many of the other politicians go around to the people of their district and assist in any manner? After elections are done how many continue to go around to the elderly and hear their concerns and offer any assistance?
If I were down on my luck and this man gave me a job you best believe he will get my vote! He has done many things that are extremely wrong! But he looks out for his own and in Cayman Politics that’s the key to staying in office. You may be doing a piss poor job but you will remain in house as long as you reach out to the people and help them.
You are sensible enough to see how the Mac “system” of politics works, but apparently incapable of acknowledging the immorality of it.
11:18, so your rant boils down to it being fine to steal from the people as long as someone benefits from it?
Great logic.
Clearly you must either be Mac or one of those people benefitting from the theft of our money.
Perhaps you could give us your name so we can report you to the RCIPS?
But yet how many West Bayers voted this man in AGAIN? Everything he does and has done is their fault too, they vote him so they can receive their benefits…
This outrage amuses me. Indignation at 100,000 wasted in a possibly corrupt abuse of power and yet the hundreds of millions thrown away as a direct consequence of many probably equally corrupt status grants remains unattended to.
Pretty sick society we have here!
Can you explain about the hundreds of millions?
Sure. For each recipient who did not have any dependents living here (tending to be in lower socio-economic positions with inadequate incomes to support families and therefore denied any right to have dependants) their dependents were welcomed in without any or any adequate checks. They in effect all almost automatically became (or became treated as) Caymanians. The were thousands of such persons, including in addition any actual direct recipients.
Many more also joined the new family units. Relatives with whom children had been left overseas came now as their nannies and through one means or another gained their own rights.
Persons married and more persons came as a result.
For every child that came (7 for one person alone) there was a decade of free education, and healthcare. Those alone approach over $20,000 per child per year. Then came increased unemployment as these children (and their parents and spouses) competed in the job market and the costs of that, together with training and scholarships.
Then there comes the millions in lost work permit fees, waivers of stamp duties,…it all adds up to a very scary number, that continues to hit us every year and threatens our economic sustainability.
Political interference stopped the immigration system from doing it’s job.
Not to mention the “adoption” of nieces and nephews , grandchildren, etc which took place following the status grants.
You call it political interference. Others call it blatant and overt corruption, abuse of power, and even treason.
2,000 (at least) additional foreign children x $15,000 each per year in free education from CIG = $30,000,000 each year x 10 years = 300 million on added education expense to CIG.
1,000 (at least) additional persons requiring social services support at $20,000 each a year = $20,000,000 each year x 10 years = 200 million added to expense of CIG.
2,000 (at least) additional persons not having to pay work permit fees who would otherwise have had to be the subject of such fees (averaging $2,000 each) = $4,000,000 in lost revenue x 10 years = $40 million in decreased revenue to CIG.
Healthcare costs of new Caymanians and their dependents who would otherwise have had to had private health insurance or have been of insufficient means to be allowed to live here (at least) $10,000,000 each year x 10 years = $100 million added expense to CIG.
Artificial jobs created by Government to help minimise unemployment given rapid expansion of numbers of relatively unskilled Caymanians (at least) 500 at $30,000 each year = $15,000,000 each year x 10 years = $150 million added expense to CIG.
Policing and incarcerating small criminal element who can no longer be readily deported 50 x $50,000 per year = $2,500,000 each year x 10 years = $25 million in added expenses to CIG.
That is all approximately a billion United States Dollars in a decade. Halve it or quarter it if you think this analysis is exaggerated or unrealistic and the cost to this society in financial terms alone has so far been hundreds of millions of dollars even without taking into account the cost of increased infrastructure (housing, roads, garbage, schools).
This is not an attack on status recipients, many of whom are wonderful decent people making Cayman a stonger and more vibrant community. It is a cry for a recognition that our systems depend and rely on only attracting and retaining long term residents who can contribute socially and financially to our society – and not be a financial burden.
If this is right, Mac's destruction of a social and economic system that was carefully balanced to maximise Government's income whilst minimizing its liabilities, and ensuring opportunities for people who truly consider and treat Cayman as home, will cost us more than hundreds of millions. The result will be priceless.
I would be fascinated to know what particular aspects of the above anyone posting a thumbs down believes to be inaccurate, and if so, what they believe to be the true facts?
Please tell us.
Hi, me again. I would like to join in your outrage over the hundreds of millions thrown away due to the status grants. Can you enlighten me as to what money went where so I can add it to my tally of what I think bush owes me? Thanks in advance.
No one could be bothered challenging the status grants at the time, so accept them and move on.
They in fact were challenged – but in case you did not notice, some of the people responsible for policing…
What a joke for our beloved Cayman ! We surely need McKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVA in order to survive the global economic down-turn. oooh how we miss you our beloved Premier and ofcourse the good old days.
Just put him in jail. Now.
If not now… Yesterday!
If not, 1998.
WOW, according to our new CNS poll 95 percent of Cayman wants cracker mac in jail. Now. Shame on you mr forever honerable my hands are clean and my heart is pure it wasn me mister ex premier.
Sounds like the “Hey” system is used frequently in the Cayman Islands. “Hey, give this guy a job”….”Hey, this sounds like a good loan to do”….
Hey, I need some money to go to Jamaica/Miami
Take your pick from the litany of incompetent, unethical and possibly criminal behavior and actions related to government owned companies and statutory authorities listed by the Auditor General in his report.
The largest dollar amount I happened to note was the questioning by the AG of the whereabouts of $8.2 million of Water Authority operating profit that did not find its way to government coffers.
"Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem." Ronald Reagan, 1981 inaugural address
I want my money back!
CNS, please follow the money and ask WA when we should expect payment?
Qreat quote ANON
Okay. Although they got their jobs via strings why were they not fired as soon as deliverables were not attained? Who were in charge of these mwn and why was this person not held accountable also. I am trying to envision working a job for over a year without having anything to show for what I was doing. God I picked the wrong place to work.
Likely the person who engineered their hire was in charge of their supervision! Hence .. no work for big pay …
No different than elsewhere the political arena (appropriate term!) has always been perceived as a place to line your pockets and those of your associates. Sadly, the consequences of doing so – stealing from the public – are minimal. As each succesive group promises to 'clean things up', eventually they too find they can't resist putting their hands in the till. For as I said, the consequences are minimal. It is not seen as a crime… but rather the cost of doing business with amoral individuals who couldn't succeed anywhere else.
'Welcome to Nigeria – the Cayman Islands done right'.
you could write the same story about most civil servants in the country…..
read the miller shaw report!
Yes it so sad that those so quick to criticize others did nothing but run dey mouth about the problem. If only they had acted it could have save us alot of time and money.From what i understand some people found things that certain people would like to keep rather quite. In regards to conflict of interest a whole lot of that is going around but it appears that it only gets highlighted when it involves locals????
Were these the guys who allowed the dynamite to come through illegally? Cos Mac said so?
When one cheats another in a deal, that's fraud.When a politician diverts funds taken from us through the force of law (taxes), that's armed robbery.
All that is going to change my friend…Bush and his bullying tactics are gone..the new boards are there to serve the people…. not to help themselves in UDP fashion.
Be not surprised if corrupt heads roll under the new honest administration, and all you left over lackeys better clean up your acts starting now.
We hope you are right
You seem to know a lot! Why didn' t you say something? "You wa fraid" owa?
On a side note, have the premier upgrades to his house been removed and taken to Aldens? CNS a report on this would be interesting, does the new premier have fences and all the staff, the former did?
Pay attention to what is going on. One of the first things the Progressives announced when they were settled after the election was that they were doing away with all of the extravagant protocols. Only the Premier, Deputy Premier and Speaker of the House will recieve chauffered rides to official functions only. The rest of the time they will be driving themselves to work and elsewhere. The rest of it is to be done away with.
Hey, leave Big Mac alone. The constitution made him do all that stuff. He didn’t even want the constitution. All the cook, drivers and god knows what else were forced on him!
oh please……
Gotcha ; )
Can't the CIDB get this money bank from the management that breached their duties to the bank? Please, please tell me these people are not still in charge of money.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Just about every civil and public servant in high office is just as bad. Worse still is that it is well known, and nothing is done about it. The reality is that those working under these people fear their jobs and there is nowhere else to go.
name his lackeys…… just like the barkers 'park rangers'……..
$90K for 2 votes – would've been cheaper buying them a fridge!!
Surcharge Mac for the costs of these men.
At the very least add it to his list of abuse of office.
According to foolio mac is broke.
Foolio’s a genius
He got that from mac.
Where is Foolio these days?
Rumor has it he's training to put one back on Alden.
That might work as his buddy DART just injected a pile of cash into the boxing program.
They say he went back under his rock.
Give me my money back!
I believe Ms Velma will be making a big mistake if she continues to support this man.She has already lost a lot of goodwill because of the petition to challenge Tara.Stories the like this ,plus the petition reduces her chances even more.Her best move would be distance herself from the petition and Big Mac and maybe give herself a little better chance.Better yet drop the petition and throw her support behind Tara ,run as an independent and maybe,just maybe West Bayers will give her a seat.
I'm sorry but as much as I like Miss Velma, she really isn't the kind of person I would like to see in government, let alone politics in this day and age. Back on the old days perhaps, but not now. Its time politics was taken to a much more professional level.
Or stick with the petition, as a matter of principle. If there is a by-election, i.e., if the petition is actually in the right, don't run int he by-election for the socio-political reasons you outline.
This revelation has the shock value of a sunset. We've moved on, and honest professionals with integrity are showing us how things must be done. It's a new era for Cayman. The Plague of corruption, compromise and sleazy short-cuts has rolled over us and hurt us, yes, but we are stronger now, and more than ever this country demands what is intelligent, right, and honest in our goverenance. God help anyone who cheats us now.
Why have you forgiven those of the past. I demand that they face the system like any other criminal. They have stolen from us. I want our money back and those that took it punished. I do not believe that is too much to ask.
8.17 Quite right! I haven't forgiven them and they absolutely must be held accountable. My contribution was misleading in this respect. Corruption in public office hurts everyone by seeping sideways, downwards and up from the bottom. By its very nature corruption is self promoting, precisely like cancer. Any punishments should be tripled, were justice truly to be done, but then everyone is related here, making some convictions virtually impossible. Throw in the influence of the Freemasons, and demanding acccountability becomes even more frustrating.
I agree…… and I think we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg.
I totally agree!! If this had been the private sector the courts would have been salivating to get them. Too much forgiveness and no retribution. Charging these poeple and having them have to pay the funds back would go a long way in helping the budget crisis. Not doing so is setting a dangerous precedent. If they can't pay then put them to work it off providing community service.
Take the woman that has just been charged with the $2B theft. Do you think this will just be reported and the owner let it go? I seriously doubt it, but here we are reporting the facts and because it is within Gov't nothing is done. This is nothing more than plain ole fashion stealing!!
Simply ridiculous. Alden it is time to strike the iron, crack the whip! (If you don't have one check Ozz) Start making examples… I don't think there is anyone other than those who perpetrated the acts that will would disagree in getting OUR money returned!
I want MY money back!
I agree…punishment is a great deterent….but you must realize this has been going on forever here and many of the guillty are still in power.
So take them out and remind everyone that the Rule of Law is the only true power.
Amen. I want my money back!
Nothing has changed. MLAs are still double-dipping. Alden is still seeking to add debt for campaign projects ahead of public business models he has also promised. Alden has also promised not to cut any staff at CIG. Worse, he is doing these things with the full knowledge of default risk on the bullet payments that will be due – burdens of earlier mismanagement. Politicians of these islands need to check their egos going forward, their fantastic unsustainable campaign promises make them their own worst enemies. We are now looking at either picking up the tab forever for their compounding mistakes, or facing radical social change if we default. I don't share your rosey outlook on that prospect.
What I read was that personall cuts have to be planned and done slowly. Not that there would be NO cuts.
This AG report has somebody's fingerprints all over it, does anyone notice any similarities the CIDB has and what transpired with First Cayman Bank in the last 90's.
I still remember it like yesterday, my grandmother, god bless her soul like many others lost all their saving at FCB and up until today, no one has been convicted for causing so much pain and loss to honest and hardworking Caymanian people, so sad that pennies on the dollar was the justice given out at that time.
I say if we as a people dont demand that these "POLITRICKTIONS" are held to a higher standard, these types of criminal behavior will be the norm and will continue to read of these injustices committed against the people of the Cayman Islands and humanity in general.
What happened to the reports recommending prosecutions over FCB? Is it true they have not been seen since the time of the cabinet status grants?
You need to see the affidavit of the liquidator to the Attorney General, in effect asking him if anyone should be prosecuted. That tells a dreadful story!
Nothing happened over that, and guess what, the reason FCB went under was in part the practice of lending money that was never going to be repaid. The similarities are chilling, the only difference is that your recent "Premier" isnt a director of CIDB (is he?) but that makes no difference if he plants his cronies in there and then tells them what to do.
The only bright spot in this is that after a long wait, you have an Auditor willing to tell it like it is. His predecessor was of course fired (correction, not reappointed) dont let that happen to this one!
Might the affidavit make it under Ezzard's winshield wiper?
At the time of the election in about 2000+ (the first Cayman election I witnesssed) it was being circulated widely. I saw it and could not believe that it was genuine because of the content, I recall asking people "if this is real, then this man is responsible for losing many of his countrymen their life savings, how can you re elect him?" I was told it was, and you did!
Electorates get the government they deserve if they "dont pay no mind"!
Offshore Alert. It is better for the Environment.
I generally am against tar and feathering. I’m not a fan of mob actions. But….
He still couldn’t have done it on his own! Who are the cowards who didn’t stop this? Lets hear their version of events. Why they weren’t doing their jobs? But wait. Let me guess. He bullied them too?? Get real. Everyone who knew of his acts and said and did nothing to stop it, are just as guilty for knowing! Bunch of cowards, users and hangers-on. Thank God for whistle blowers!
Oh wow .. I'm so shocked!
What a surprise!
The UDP and its members should be barred from ever running for office again. They obviously had no morals, no shame and no conscience. It's not like they didn't know it would come to light, it's like they didn't care. Afterall, what penalty would they incur? Absolutely disgraceful!
I want to know whether these findings by the auditor general will be sufficient for legal actions to be taken in regards to abuse of office in power or does someone now have to file a claim? Surely, the reports of the auditors must have some value and something will be done with the findings?
If we just hear about this crap but nothing gets done again anyway, then what's the point? I would rather live without knowing the extend of the corruption as it is just too frustrating to bare and my blood pressure would have a better chance to remain in the normal range.
When will these bastards go to prIson????? Why do we bother??????
At some point, the administration branch of Government needs to take some responsiblity. Stop blaming politicians for everything. We really need to start assessing the top executive within the government such as chief officers, deputy chief offiers and directors of departments. Seriously, we have changed elected government every 4 years, but the same issues keep re-occuring., yet the same CO, DCO and Directors are still therem but yet we have the same deficiencies. Politicians sets the national strategic direction. Admin. branch is responsbility for structure, processes and procedures. What the auditor general is reporting on are discrepancies in the procedures and processes. Politicans do not control that aspect of the government. To solve the problem, you need to focus on the real cause of the problem.
True…..to a point. Big Mac is that point….No one wants to lose their jobs. Me personally I would prefer being fired so I could sue but what they do is not up and fire but put you under loads of pressure until a) You make a mistake and they fire you or b) You can’t take it anymore and quit. It’s a sad reality.
Unfortunately the real cause of the problem is the example set by our last gowerment. One bad apple ruins the entire basket.
What happened to the heads of these Authorities? Why do they have to listen to politicians especially if they know it is wrong?
Heads need to be rolled because they hiked every tax they could hike just to pay a couple of losers who don’t want to work! This is food out of my children’s mouth and school fees I could have used my hard earnings on. Anywhere else in the world the heads and deputies would be sacked and the politicians jailed!
Ask Brian Tomlinson what happens when you don’t listen.
Brian Tomlinson is a man of honour and did the right thing. We should support him in any way we can. He acted as a model civil servant and in the interests of the people. The other bastards who at best ignored their heavy responsibilities and became knowing pawns in corrupt acts – they should go to prison. Those that were actively corrupt themselves, they should go to prison for longer.
If they were able to do things because they had become Caymanian, their status should be revoked and they should be deported.
Then our society can step back and say to our children – "always do the right thing" and we can move forward .
We have to at least strive for a society where crime NEVER pays and we follow our laws!
How hard is that?
Oh, I agree with you. The point is that there is a cost attached to opposing what McKeeva does even if you are right and doing your job.
Only because the Governor, the Attorney General, the Police, and the Opposition appear not to be doing their jobs.
Nothing the opposition can do
"How hard isthat?"
Very hard.
The bad boys and girls routinely lie, cheat, and plant false evidence. The good boys and girls must obey the law and gather truthful and supportable evidence.
The legal playing field is definitely not level.
GIVE MR BRIAN TOMLINSON NRA BACK HIS JOB
Brian Tomlinson did his Job, and Lost his Job doing it, God will take care of hem, The New Govt should give hem back his JOB, Lets see if they are going to look in to it. MR Brian Hang in there let see what they are going to do.
Because they are the same.
So what else is new with our former premier?This does not surprise me one little bit and 4 years on the back bench should be fun to watch.I wonder what else will turn up from more digging into past paper trails?
Unsure, myself, exactly where the four years will be served, maybe the back bench, maybe somewhere else? Let's await the outcome of the upcoming trial to discover where.
4 years? This crap has been going on overtly for 15. I would like the Attorney General to explain how and why?
While you are at it ask him why he never pressed charges or atleast launched an enquiry in the 2009 BT election mess with John John and Mark especially considering their admittance to the offence. Ask him how he can turn a blind eye to someone who has broken the constitutional laws because it was in the “best interest of the people”. What a crock of @$$. By the way when did he get his status?
I do not know about the first part. In relation to when he got his status, I believe it was when Big Mac gave it to him, shortly before he issued an opinion that it was legal.
Thing is, many lawyers who have looked at the issue, are not so sure.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
You expect the AG to answer that? lol
This was pure abuse of office…another criminal cahrge I hope.
More charges to come.
Not just for him either. The next batch should reach the top of the list shortly.