I have read the comments herein and one of the points which I would like to note relates to what some comments seem to be suggesting that the criminal justice system in the USA is corrupt because innocent people end up jail. The comments in this regard is unfair. The criminal justice system in the USA is not foolproof but it works most of the time. The same can be said (perhaps to a lesser extent) of the criminal justice system in the Caribbean. We should be balance in our critique.
My next concern has to do with the delay or non-action by the SEC to bring charges for the extradition of those persons, in particular, the government officials who were conspirators with Stanford in his ponzi scheme. Many person in Antigua and Barbuda, the upper classes, and the politicians benefited from Stanford’s crime. Members of both political parties have been the beneficiaries of stolen money and they should be made to disgorge these benefits and they should be behind bars. As a matter of fact, I believe it was in the 2004 election in Antigua and Barbuda when Stanford appeared on Antigua’s television with members of the now opposition and presented them with a wad of moneys to aid their campaign. They should be made to disgorge themselves of that and spend time in jail.
Stanford was made given a Knighthood under the present administration in Antigua and Barbuda, they ought to be forever ashamed of that. Just before his arrest the same administration was about to get in bed with him again and give hundreds of acres of Antiguan lands while the Antiguans could not get a house spot out of their birth right.
I had to deal with an aspect of this matter for the prosecution of Stanford and I was taken aback when I went through the documents and saw Sir Courtney Blackman as one of the directors of Stanford International Bank. I almost wet myself several times over. My question was and still is: Were the directors unaware of what was going on?
The lawyers in Antigua who worked for Stanford, two of them are now part of the present administration in Antigua and Barbuda. Were they unaware of what was happening in Stanford International Bank. Even the blind could have seen that all was not well. Is The SEC gong to file charges and seek their extradition?
One of Stanford’s minions was committed for extradition on January 25, 2010, the Leroy King, he is still in Antigua living on his ill-gotten gain while the victims of the ponzi scheme suffer. When one examines all of the documents that are involve in this matter, the several communications and alert and request for information from the SEC in relation to the red flags that they had seen in the Stanford operations to the Financial Unit in Antigua and by extension the Minister who was responsible for that Unit at the time, it would be fair to say that many persons were well aware of the these red flags.
I doubt the name of Antigua and Barbuda can ever be redeemed from this stain of criminality. What make it even worse this is not the first time that Antigua and Barbuda through their leaders have been involved in this kind of international criminality. While the govern of Antigua and Barbuda under the Antigua Labour Party and the now the Baldwin administration are responsible for the presence of Allen Stanford in the country, the people of Antigua and Barbuda themselves must bear this collective shame because they had neither the guts nor the decency to rise up and challenge their government’s involvement with international criminals.
It is my hope that I will live to see the visitation of justice upon all the minions of Stanford who are the beneficiaries of his criminality. Will this happen? Only time will tell. I frequently weep for the state of things in Antigua and Barbuda. Our leaders perpetually betray us.

Shakaelu | June 16, 2012 at 11:58 AM |

“The criminal justice system in the USA is not foolproof but it works most of the time”

Most of the time, some of the time, all of the time … Ass! The fact that it fails by your admission, will suggest that you nor I am in a position to determine that it has worked on this occasion. Clearly the way that Stanford was treated in the years leading up to the trial should indicate that something is NOT quite right here …! The fact that the highly placed officials that are connected with Stanford both here and Antigua who are getting on with their lives unscathed would suggest that there is something is NOT quite right here. And so on. Stanford is guilty of something, and that has to do with offending the wrong people, people who most certainly are not old pensioners who live in Canada …!

David

As per Pacha … Maybe you David could argue that the good ol’ neighborhood Bank, the front end of the international Western financial architecture, is NOT a PONZI styled operation …!

@Crusoe

Thanks for confirming that your conspiracy theories are still alive and kicking, but folks like you are only waiting for the Western powers to intervene before you jump in with guns blazing to criticize. Meanwhile I haven’t heard a peep from you or the alternative Press lamenting the fate of those people being “butchered” guess it depends on who the butcher is, some butchers get a pass and others are the Devil incarnate BTW the UN has “Observers” there guess the UN is a toothless bulldog.

I also heard that Assad had transferred 7 billion to accounts in Russia and they have offered him a comfortable retirement in Moscow.

That was a low blow suggesting I drink rye and watch Faux TV, you should know that I drink Gin & Tonic and watch “As the World Turns”, but when did you stop beating your wife?

@Pacha

True but one is ‘legitimate’ with recourse leading to government.

@Shakaelu | June 16, 2012 at 11:58 AM |
“Were the directors unaware of what was going on?”……..

Can we ask the same of the Directors of CLICO? These directors claim that they did not know of the shenanigans that were going on. But from reading the Judicial Managers’ report, they cannot say that did not know what was going on. I mean what financials were they given to look at or maybe they got doctored documents.

The way money was moved from CLICO Life to finance the whims and fancy and lifestyle of Leroy Parris was mind boggling. The man was given exorbitant bonuses and salary, excessive claims, transfers that cannot be traced, he had companies into which monies were unilaterally transferred just for so, a company jet was leased for thousands of US$ for him and the dead king to joy ride. Oh that document is worth reading.

If the BLP wins the election and does not bring this man to justice, I would be saddened!

Can’t go

Prodigal Son

You really think that there is a difference between these two political parties (who cannot be tried because they have NO legal identity)? Man look, have a drink, tek a vacation, clear yah head and come back .. when you thinking in real terms …!

@Sargeant,

Ah, it takes a man to apologise and I shall. Apologies for suggesting your rye and Fox. Just noite, in answer to your equally unfair accusation, I do not beat women, never will and never have, as they say, I am a lover and not a fighter..
Poor BAF must be upset, was looking to watch a big fight.

But, as for conspriacy theories, none of what I suggested has been shown wrong, much bases on fact (as for example the ex-AlQuaida leader who waas heading the anti-Gaddafi military, that was a theory, that is recorded fact.

But, you know what? All things must start with theory, to be understood and proven. So, maybe I should welcome your ‘label’ of theory with open arms, particularly as it has been proven that much of what I suggested is supported by known fact.

As more facts or empirical evidence is found confirming the theory, that is the point at which theories become knowledge, rather than just concepts.

Unredoubtable proof? Sorry, the one convenience for those who dispute the obvious as conspiracy theories is that most of us do not have access to the files of government and relevant agaencies.

A peculiarity in a ‘free world’….! N’est pas??? Wink!

@Crusoe

I want to set the record straight, that “wife beating” accusation was just to show the power of the media whether traditional or not once an accusation is made it follows one forever even if it was proven to be without merit.

My apologies also, but I will still be challenging you if your opinion is substantially different from mine on some subjects.

Jesus C’rist … Wunna two wusses … Wunna mekin’ chummie now ..? Chupse, just when things were gettin’ ineteresting …