Mac denies probe against him
(CNS): The Cayman Islands premier said Thursday that he knew of no investigation against him, as he answered the call made by the opposition member for East End to come clean about the police probe into ‘financial irregularities’ relating to him. Despite the acknowledgement by the governor that a fax sent by McKeeva Bush in 2004 to Texan developer Stan Thomas asking for $350,000 in relation to the zoning of land was at the heart of a police investigation, the premier denied knowledge of a criminal investigation against him. In a short statement broadcast on Radio Cayman, he said he had heard the opposition talk about an investigation but he knew "of none".
Bush denied any wrongdoing in the face of the challenge thrown down by Arden McLean on Wednesday.
The former PPM Cabinet minister was cleared by the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) after a very short investigation into whether he had abused his position by not paying power bills while in dispute with CUC for twelve months. McLean had cooperated with the investigators from the start and was proactive in ensuring his name was cleared as quickly as possible. When he received his letter yesterday from the police commissioner concluding that he had committed no offence, McLean called on the premier, who had asked for the corruption investigation, to do likewise regarding the probe into the letter that Bush sent to Thomas.
However, Bush not only denied accusing McLean of corruption, he denied knowing anything about the investigation that people were talking about. The premier said in his short broadcast statement that he had reported McLean to the ACC because the PPM member had admitted that he had not paid his electricity bill for more than a year during the time he was negotiating with Grand Cayman’s monopoly power provider.
The premier said that he had heard his opponents talk about an investigation but it seemed odd that there would be one into him when it was McLean who had negotiated what he called a “sweetheart deal” with CUC while he was a minister and had not paid his bills.
“While Mr McLean and his cohorts have done their endeavour best to smear me and I hear them say of an investigation I know of none,” Bush stated in the recorded message, even though there has been clear indication from the governor’s office that a police investigation is underway into the premier.
“It strikes me, though, rather odd that there would be a criminal investigation of me while he was a sitting member he could negotiate such a lucrative agreement with CUC while not paying his electrical bills,” Bush added as he denied knowing about the police probe.
Bush criticised McLean and other opposition members, stating that he was not surprised that they did not recognised the “dangerous game of international politics that is being played against the Cayman Islands”, which he claimed was “using me as a scapegoat to do so”, and McLean and “his pals” were facilitating this by “scandalizing” him.
“I have done no wrong and I therefore can say my hands are clean and my heart is pure,” Bush stated.
It has never been made clear, despite the acknowledgement by the governor that the now infamous letter to Stan Thomas is the source of the police investigation into Bush, if the premier has ever been interviewed as part of the investigation. Although few details have ever been revealed by authorities, leaked documents have shown that the director of public prosecutions has written to Thomas asking for his cooperation in the enquiry.
Other witness statements have also been given to the investigators but David Baines, the police commissioner and chair of the ACC recently stated that allegations of corruption being dealt with by the commission which occurred before 2009 were difficult to prosecute as the new law isn’t retroactive.
In his short broadcast to the government radio station, Bush also hit back at McLean’s criticism over the benefits the premier was receiving as a result of his position and that despite the difficult economic times he was drawing his full pension as well as his salary.
Bush said all the benefits he had he was entitled to and had earned as a result of being returned to office seven times. He also said he had wanted to cut politicians salaries more and the PPM had objected but he had cut his own pay as well as the opposition leader’s salary.
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Category: Politics
Caymanians are reticent people. They don't like stirring up trouble and when trouble comes to them, they shrink away. Unfortunately that's their make up. Oh, now they'll complain, but do they ever do anything about it? You see them marching? You see them really being the powerhouses other islands and territories have been when it comes to standing up for their own people? I'm finally hearing some people on the radio show recently who are people who rarely if ever call in, apparently they're just waking up. XXXX the complete disdain and lack of caring by the UDP for their constituents has been a constant situation here.
I really feel sorry for the Caymanian people, but it's just too late for it all to matter now. They're soon going to see that they're caught between a rock and a hard place bcz they didn't rise up and ask the tough questions from many years ago when all this borrowing was happening and they didn't ask the hard questions to UDP. Caymanians just keep taking a lackidasical attitude that everything will work out. Really they've waited till the 11th hour to rattle the cage and it's too late. Much like the 5 foolish virgins who wouldn't get their ass up to go fetch their oil in time.
When this China Harbor thing goes thru' and they're locked in for 50 years when they could've had a better deal, then they might finally "get it". By then, it's too late. The idea is for the UDP group XXXXXX. And, they think the China Harbour deal will do just that for them. And, the longer Caymanians sit down, the worse it's becoming for them.
I really feel it for the future Caymanians, that's who I really feel for. Those that are in school right now bust'n their asses for good grades to land a job later on have no idea of what is about to transpire that's going to set their country backwards for decades on end; they're the ones I really feel for. If Caymanians had any grain of sense, they'd stage a march tomorrow and get the entire UDP party out and suspend the whole government until EVERY pending agreement has been put through select committees and also that the Auditor General clears them. We're actually worse off than Turksand Caicos, but we keep hiding our faces in the sand like ostriches.
And, what's your idea to get faces out there marching and counting for something?
Mac and his UDP buddies need to bring a new law to the LA stating that the target of an investigation must be the first to be informed. They could call it the Clean Hands Pure Heart law.
Scientific fact is that one who finds fault never have a solution. And those who find solutions will make mistakes which can be corrected.
Its usually fools and lazy ass people that always vote for a democratic party. A lot of promises of riches and hand outs without doing any hard work. Beat them pots now and sweep the ground with your bush broom.
Bwoy, I do not know what all of you going to do when Mac gets back in. I am happy that there are more expats with status here than Caymanians. Premier Seat is secured. This prediction is from a born 8th generation Caymanian.
You'll be at least 80th generation by the time Macaroni gets back in.
My prediction is that McKeeva will be disqualified from contesting the next election. This prediction is from a 9th generation Caymanian.
Disqualified and hopefully unavailable.
Hello, are you still there? Did you and your supporters read the latest headlines on CNS?
Hey 04/20/2012 – 13:20. You fool or wah? We do not want any fridge, 50" flat screen, micorwave or donation to our church. Wah we want is WORK. So Mac betta stop listen to you fools who trying to distract him and get ALL the projects started. Then we will relax and watch you HATERS who is so jealous over Mac and Dart starve to death.
You fool or wah? Betta take da frige for now bro. at least you can sell it to help pay one month CUC bill.
How long you been waiting now for Mac to find you work. Sorry, he's not interested. He has more 'important' things to do. Better wake up and go find yourself a job.
Now that the Jordanian got fired from his job of calling Rooster, perhaps you could apply for it
Mac remains Mom on the investigations and your picture with this article proves it! Great choice.
Love, Momsy <3
Our Premier has gone from the first Premier to the worst in one term. That's what you get when you don't have the ability to tell the truth. My fellow Caymanians, we have work to do and that is to sweep clean a stooge infestation of politicians that chase money instead of better our country and its citizens. Money chasing stooges that destroy our country and its reputation over and over. Let's get to work and clean house.
ONE MAN ONE VOTE, please participate in July to get this man out of office.
"However, Bush not only denied accusing McLean of corruption, he denied knowing anything about the investigation that people were talking about"
Anyone else ever notice that every time Mr. Bush gets "caught" his first action is to deny, deny, deny!
Am getting old and I knows my memory is fading but I remember him saying at the meeting up in EE that he was going to give Johnny boy the $200 thousand to help him implement projects he had come to him (the Premier) with. When Arden, Alden and Ezzard jumped on this and began to question the legality of him simply giving the Government’s money to whomever he chose, the next thing we hear that Mr. Bush say he listen to the recording (whose recording we don't know) of the meeting and he did not at any time say he was going to give Johnny boy money.
Then he report Arden to the "Anti-Corruption Committee" because he felt that Arden had abused his position when he was the Minister negotiating the deal with CUC by not paying his CUC bills for a year. Now that Arden took his allegation as a serious attack on his integrity and cleared his name, Mr. Bush now denies accusing him of corruption. Unna forgive me because I is slow in thinking these days but isnt Mr. Bush reporting him Anti-Corruption Committee not implying that he suspected corruption? If he didn’t suspect Arden of corruption he could have just “mentioned” it at one of his “Government update meeting (a.k.a UDP rallies) and not officially request the ACC to investigate.
Then last year I remember reading that Mr. Bush say he know the truth will be revealed because his hands are clean and his heart is pure over this realty bill with Stan Thomas. So what I wants to know is where did he expect the "truth" to come from if he wasn't aware of any investigation going on? But then again maybe the relevant authorities are secretly investigating him and gathering evidence so maybe just maybe Mr. Bush is not aware that an actual investigation is taking place despite the Governor's office confirming publicly that that an investigation into this "realty bill" was taking place.
Mr. Bush you can fool most of the WBayers all the time but you can't fool all the Caymanians all the time.
Someone once told me that a pathological liar is someone who not only lies for no logical reason but one who actually believes their lies so they actually do not believe that they are lying.
Now let me be clear I am not calling anybody a pathological liar because I don't want no one to sue me for libel or slander but just thought I would throw that phrase out there and let the readers be the judge.
Anybody remember the 1990’s when a certain Mr Bush CATEGORICALLY denied that he was, or ever had been, a Director of First Cayman Bank ??
As usual, a load of vocal locals saying what they daren't state with their name attached to it, in public. You're all as pathetic as El Mcweaver. Your forefathers would be ashamed of your lack of back bone. You can see it all around the world, people with spine and determination. Are those countries really all better than you Cayman.? What a pathetic shadow of your previously great, humble and proud nation you have allowed yourself to be molded into. Don't like Bush? Rise up! Have him removed! Don't like Baines! Get on your feet.
Pathetic.
Try signing your own name Bobo and maybe we won’t call you a hypocrite.
Really Mac you are about to become Custer making your last stand Mc Custer
"Mac in denial about probe against him", more likely!!!
If Bush has been quoted correctly, and my understanding of his statement is correct, he appears to be saying that he does not know why ” HE ” would be under investigation in relation to CUC, and is unaware of any such probe into his activities. Excuse me but, WHAT THE HE’LL IS HE TALKING ABOUT ?? Has he completely lost his marbles ??
As far as I know, any investigation possibly involving Bush, only relates to the Stan Thomas financial dealings.
Was he not in LA sitting the day Ezzard asked for an investigation and the Governor denied it because one was already ongoing? Does he not read the news? Does not his press-secretary and public relations staff and legal advisor bring him up to speed with the times?Has not the Governor let him know that he is under investigation? The Governor should, or whoever is head of this man big mac posing as premier, relieve him of his duties until the investigation is complete, and put him on half pay like all other public servants until such time….if he is not guilty he will resume his duties, that is if he the investigation drags on until election date rolls around, then if not he will be voted out to resume what he does best and enter the ranks of a civillian and hopefully be prosecuted for his wrong doings when the investigation is complete!
And some of us are going to get a fridge, 50" flat screen, micorwave, donation to our church,. the ability to circumvent all proper channels for certain applications and grants, and lots more…
and don't forget the dynamite
Mr bush still the leader of cayman
Long live mr bush
Down ezzerd
Down BBM
WTH is BBM, does this clown mean PPM?????????
Look up the definition for narcissistic personality disorder
BBM supporters just the saim fools write evry day the don’t have nothing to do
Feel sorry for them lol
I'm sorry who is BBM? and what is up with your spelling?
What the Hell is BBM? We are NOT BlackBerry Messenger Supporters, Jordanian.
You mean like the fool who keeps calling the talk show every day to congratulate the UDP? What that idiot should realize is that he is helping to turn the UDP into a laughing stock.
The Lord works in many ways, watch the Ritz Audit, one may be very surprized what comes out. Pressure will squeze out Slime.
And bust pipe!
Is this man for real? I cant go on! This man really takes us for utter fools as he told the entire Country that the investigation will go no where as the letter that was being investigated was an invoice for Real Estate sales. He cannot have it both ways: how can an investigation go nowhere if there is no investigation, but all he is doing is now saying that there is no investigation so he will save face by not taking up Arden McLean's challenge of opening up everything to the investigators as Arden did when Mac pressed for an investigation into Arden by the Anti-Corrupt Commission. Arden knew 100% that he was honest and above board in all his dealings, so why is Mac afraid to open up to investigations by the Anti-Corrupt Commission? Leaves one to wonder!
Let's start from First Cayman Bank, the West Bay land deal/Barkers, and by the time all of the sins are on the table there wouldn't be any space left to accommodate another from the Devil.
Wake up Cayman!! Let's get the ball a-rolling, that deck of cards is very well worn. There is need for a new pack.
We can and should start before then. Did “Britannia” waive the rules? I didn’t go to “Cambridge” or anything, but want to know some answers.
I understand that we are getting a new flag. The new one will replace the coat of arms with a banana tree.
Hey Mac! DENIAL is not the name of a river in Egypt!
Someof you ppeople are going to get a stroke over McKeeva Bush. Why hasCaymanian men turned into a bunch of Pus***eys? Try and get along. I can imagine how stressted out the poor families are.
Careful, you'll get a stroke over McKeeva Bush.
12;36
you got that right, Why the f@@@ they dont leave this man alone. if he done anything wrong it will come out in the wash.
Why are they after his head… baffles me. if you want to run for Government, do it on your own accord, stop dragging the people into your quest….damn it man!
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it." Joseph Goebbels
How long are we going to continue to believe anything this man says, Cayman?
You actually believed something he said? It's people like you that voted these clowns in!!!!
You couldn't possibly be more wrong there, my friend.
Pitiful.
Awwww. Now the poor guy is embarrased. Congratulations, sir. We didn't think you had it in you. He wants to come clean like the action man. Sorry sir. Wishful thinking. It's just not going to go away that easy.
10;41
You might just get a surprise, he might be exonarated just like Arden..then what are you going to tell all thos people, you been brainwashing? He will come clean by the same Commisioner that Arden came clean by.
I'm sure McKeeva loves you, but brainwashing is actually a UDP trademark that is going to be put in its rightful place on a shelf in hell very shortly. Permanently. Mark my word.
More wishful thinking.
This place is so frustrating sometimes. Someone somewhere must be able to release some factual information about this matter. After 2 years some conclusions must have been reached and documented about what happened and whether there is a case to be answered or not. This is a matter of huge public interest and all we get are rumours and secrets. The incompetence, dishonesty and stonewalling is unbelievable.
Soon if the deal goes wrong with CHEC or any of his other pet projects I'm sure he'll be denying he even ever met his Chinese friends. HOW CAN THE REST OF HIS PARTY STILL STAND BY THIS MAN? How? Someone please explain that to me? geezum peez!
Not sure if it's true or not but it's on the marl road that our good Governor has stayed our dearly beloved Brother Mac's hand from signing off on the CHEC 'deal'. If so praise be to our Guv. and to God Almighty!
10.13. Well, it's like this: if everyone has a gun, loaded with ammunition in the form of accusations of corruption, then nobody dares pull the trigger. They're all in it together. All for one. One for all.
Follow the money.
I do recall Mckeeva owing our debt ridden airline thousands of dollars while he was the Minister in charge of CAL and only paid up after pressure from Mr. Clifford. Mckeeva what you say should be taken like medicine in small doses and or only if necessary.
Looks like the governor has a lot of explaining to do.
Why would the goovernor and OT minister wait till he the MP arrives from the UK to break the news to us?
Do they get a kick out of embarassing Mac too?
I frankly think they're all fedup with him,
This is done in mafia style.
sit down have a nice meal enjoy the local cuisine, then "wack" you.
They theoretically wacked Mac after wining and dining with him!
The Brits are………some really interesting guys, I like how they operate….
enough is enough..
They may be pushing for an early election for all we know. Why now?
Something is up.
yeah think?
Hold on. They had no choice but to respond to McKeeva’s statement that he was not under any investigation. He has brought this on himself.
UDP Supporter please post a comment. I could use a good laugh this morning.
He's a good honis hard wokin God fearin man of God and his hands are clean and his hart is pure. Wah rong wid unna?
Oops, nine thumbs down. I must be telling lies again.
Sorry, but this one even has me dumbfounded! Did he really say that he does not know about the ongoing investigation into him? Sorry, I have nothing to say. What is there for me to say? I'm like DUH, so please leave me alone (I'm sulking).
Dynomite!
Every body ease up a little. The man is busy with travel and such so I will help him draft a request to the Police Commissioner so that he too can also get a letter saying that any matters in question have been thoroughly investigated and no evidence of any wrong-doing has been found,
Dear Commissioner Baines,
I am writing to requess one of dem letters dat you giwe to Arden, you know de one wat says he did nuttin wrong. I know de Guvnor confirm someting bout an inwestigation and some lil piece uh paper was giwin to you bout Stan Thomas an such but you juss pay no mine to dat.
Please sen de lette ASAP cuzz it is gettin too hot roun here an my memory about inwestigations is starting to go.
Yours in charge of Yo Budget,
PS Don forget to mention dat my heart is pur and my hand is cleen.
HILARIOUS LETTER! hahah my abs ache from laughing
WONDERFUL LETTER, HILARIOUS!! I'm crying with laughter, but also with pain as I cannot bear this nonsense from Bush any more. PLEASE, MARCH TO THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE AND GET BUSH REMOVED!!!!
March in hot sun, ya musa be crazy!
Mi will drive in mi AC car, but me naah walk.
Kaymanian to de core!
Kan I hire a Jacan to march for me?
At what age does senility set in?
Selective memory loss sets in whenever it is politically convenient.
Does anyone know if the Premier has been expanding local agriculture as there has to some explanation for the amount of BS around.
All we can say is he planted some seeds and they're growing like hell.
u meen liwestock droppings? aka as cow manure?
yea yea, dem UDP boys the bes famas at da kine a farmin.
a little drop here
a little drop dere
drop drop drop drop cow manure ehry where
ole Mcdonald don't own dis farm its ei ei UDP oh!
Why you picking on me? I'm not sharing my manure with anyone.
P.S. Mr. Chicken said he's not sharing either.
Is it possible to get a transcript of precisely what the Premier said? I would be interesting to examine how carefully crafted it was.
Variation on the classical politician's answer "I can't remember".
Now what was the name of that big river that flows through Egypt to the Mediterranean? Oh ya – De Nial.
Give the man a break. He suffers from CRS (Can't Remember Sh _ t) syndrome.
If I were him I'd love to have that syndrome too.
"He also said he had wanted to cut politicians salaries more and the PPM had objected".
The record will show that the PPM brought a motion for MLA salaries to be cut by 20% but the UDP were only willing to accept a 3.2% pay cut.
http://centos6-httpd22-php56-mysql55.installer.magneticone.com/o_belozerov/31115drupal622/headline-news/2010/05/27/ppm-calls-vote-20-cut
Besidesthe UDP has the votes to pass any motion or law that they want and never once have they failed to do so on the basis that the PPM had objected.
It just goes to show that you cannot believe anything Mckeeva says.
Big Mac yo han is cleen?
Di bible say di luv a money is di root eh aaal evil!
You no tuch no money lately owa? You cud a fool meee!
"…they did not recognised the “dangerous game of international politics that is being played against the Cayman Islands” which he claimed was “using me as a scapegoat to do so,” and McLean and “his pals” were facilitating this by “scandalizing” him".
Is it just me or is Mac sounding more and more like Misick?
Was the Grand Court judge who referred the matter to the Governor also a part of this conspiracy? If there is a vast international conspiracy against Cayman it is none other than McKeeva Bush who is faciliating it by his behaviour.
As a member of the Bilderberg group with contacts in the Illuminati, I am outraged that an unknown group is involved in international conspiracy. Rest assured, Mr. Premier, that we will be looking for whoever is encroaching on our turf. Hatching plots for Cayman domination through financial chicanery and media influence is our job!
The rest of the world barely knows that Cayman exists. Cayman is usually a one liner in spy novels that speaks to dodgy money.
Ok, this may be going a bit far……but could it be that our Premier has now completely lost it?
Lost it? Did he ever have it?
Either that or he can't remember where he put it.
Poor Mckeeva. He has now lost all credibility. Is he completely delusional? In response to Ezzard's request for a Commission of Inquiry into the Stan Thomas letter, the Governor's acknowledged that Mckeeva is the subject of a police investigation into financial irregularities based on the Stan Thomas letter and yet Mckeeva is denying that one exists. If his claim is true he should suing the Governor for defamation. Why did he not deny this at the time the Governor made the statement? Why would there be witness statements given to the police if there was no investigation? Can he produce a similar letter from the Police Commissioner saying that the investigation against him has exonerated him and is therefore closed? We should look into whether he can be removed on the ground of lack of mental fitness.
I am a Caymanian Attorney det is outta wok. Gimme the case to sue them Mac.
Dear uncle Steve, we taut you already HAD the case.
Speechless
Clearly your name is not Elio.
Mac needs to catch up with that is going on in this country. Last week he had heard about the Petition but did not not know the details. This week he does not know about the investigation. It becomes clear that the man does not have a clue about what is happening in Cayman and to its people.
He does seem to know, however, what the monied people expect of him.
Sounds like both parties have to go, change is coming soon! One Man One Vote.
But Mac. like a cockroach, will survive and be returned by West Bayers.
To Anon Fri, 04/20/2012 – 10:10,
In reality, Cockroach survival is not as good as you make it sound, however you may well be right about the West Bayers putting the Mac in again, it seems like they are afraid of him, so a situation like that , would give any cockroach a high chance of survival. In other districs, I think he wouldn't stand a chance of survival.
further more I'm not taking sides, so I throw that one out there, but when I see a leader who denies any wrong doings, and I'm sure you Caymanians heard him also accusing the opposition member of abusing his position while in power, and that he would have an investigation lounge by the Anti-Corruption officer. And now the opposition member was investigated, and was cleared by the Anti-corruption Commission, he now come and say he don't know of any investigation. Anon 04/20/2012 – 10:10, I think the cockroach has a small chance of survival this time around, by now the West Bayers should feel sorry they voted straight for the UDP.
Only one Party needs to go, and that is UDP, their leader has completely lost it. He doesn't even remember anything he says, atleast the opposition PPM leader remembers what he says, and owns up to his wrongs. While the UDP members love denying everything, PPM members does not. So in a nut shell, the UDP Party needs to go. And I have one question, which Party ushers in corruption, PPM or UDP?
Which party ushers in corruption??? I don't know…. but there seems to be enough to go around.
The UDP says they're the only party that ever gets anything done, so I would say it's them.
One Man-One Vote will fail miserably because far less than 7000 YES votes will even go to the polls. Mac may not be our favorite flavor this month but he is a brilliant politico.
You're obviously banking on tactics that only a self serving premier who by the mere act of using them is completely undeserving of his position. Don't worry my friend. We now have THREE criminal investigations going on to help us get rid of your brilliant politico. Time longer than rope. You can disgrace yourself and your country as much as you like but not for as long as you like.