Barbadians who know the Grant family were shocked to learn in April of 2012 that they were charged with the theft of over $1/2 million dollars. The alleged criminal act is reported to have taken place at the Sandy Crest Medical Centre in St. James. Bail was posted at $250,000.00 for each of the accused, with two sureties. Regrettably Carole-Anne Grant, the matriarch, has since passed no doubt as a result of the tremendous stress the matter had placed on her health.
And why was BU shocked? The conceptualization of Sandy Crest was entirely done by Dr. Malcolm Grant in 2003. The Grants – husband and wife team – later approached Dr. Brian Charles and as they say the rest is history. After several years of a happy partnership both the business and social relationship soured.
The alleged facts of the case are as follows:
Mr. Peter Harris was invited by Dr. Grant and his wife to set up the radiology department at Sandy Crest, primarily because:
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They considered him a close and trusted family friend;
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Mr. Harris and his family owned Diagnostic Radiology Services;
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The emergency physicians invited by the Grants to participate in the Sandy Crest project, stressed the importance of having CT, X-Ray and Ultrasound capabilities at their disposal;
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Mr. Harris seemed to have access to the over BBD2 million that was going to be needed to get the Sandy Crest radiology facility off the ground;
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Mr. Harris had the potential to drive a lot of business in the direction of Sandy Crest;
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He (Harris) was then regarded as one of the most successful young entrepreneurs around
Mr. Peter Harris quickly accepted the invitation from the Grants to set up the radiology services at Sandy Crest. He incorporated this company as Teleradiology Inc. Mr. Harris’ company was essentially a tenant of Sandy Crest.
BU understands, that while allegedly unknown to the Grants, Mr. Harris in the interim offered key shareholders/directors of Sandy Crest very concessionary insurance premiums re their cars and houses.
BU checks reveal that Mr. Peter Harris has since replaced Dr. Grant as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sandy Crest. And it is alleged that, in spite of the fact that Dr. Grant owns 18.5% of the shares in Sandy Crest, Mr. Harris has made certain that Dr. Grant’s shareholding is not represented on the Sandy Crest board of directors in defiance of the provisions of the Companies Act Cap. 308 of Barbados Sections 228 to 235 – which means that the allegation is that Dr Grant’s shareholding is being oppressed.
Further more BU was reliably informed that in October 2012, Knights Pharmacy, who was a tenant of Sandy Crest from the day it opened, August 6, 2005, was evicted from the Sandy Crest building. The space was taken over by Healthsmart Pharmacy, a pharmacy jointly owned by Mr. Peter Harris and Dr. Brian Charles.
Once, allegedly, the Grants were awakened to the true nature of Mr. Peter Harris’ modus operandi, a significant rift developed between the Harris and Grant families.
Besides the fact that this matter has up to now disrupted the Grant family, it may be about to get worst. The BU household has ALWAYS placed the needs and wants of the family unit at the top of the pile. Whenever there is a disagreement between adults the BU household has unwaveringly subscribed to the view that children should be protected.
News reaching BU that Rebecca Harris, the claimant, and a minor suing by her father and next friend Thomas Harris (Peter Harris’ brother) Chelsie Grant (a minor and the defendant), has awakened all the emotions which any responsible parent should possess. Can you imagine when an aledged spat occurred between Rebecca and Chelsie occurred they were 16 and 14 years old respectively? What manner of parent (family) will preside over such an occurrence instead of reaching out to a mediator, and for the children’s sake, attempt to reconcile any and all outstanding differences?
BU must confess we are sympathetic to the Grants. The ruthless characteristics of the Harris’ are not unknown to the BU household. Even if one concedes that to be ruthless is a prerequisite quality of the modern businessman, it does not explain why a child who is a minor and about to do her CAPE exams, should be dragged through a court system not equipped to efficiently treat with family matters.
The case is currently pending case management (scheduling) and the BU household is optimistically expectant that the innate parental characteristic of a parent to protect their offspring will prevail. Our best advice to the parent of the Claimant is to agree to take this matter to mediation for the sake of the children.
BU will continue to observe this matter.
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