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Donville Inniss Victim or Criminal?

Prime Minister Mia Mottley shows off a Kensington Oval ready for T20 World Cup
Former Minister Donville Inniss

The blogmaster couldn’t avoid the noise generated in the local newsfeed covering the return of former member of parliament Donville Inniss. Inniss was incarcerated in the United States for breaking money laundering laws and suffered the embarrassment of being deported last weekend.

Inniss served his time and is free to continue with his endeavours in idyllic Barbados, UNLESS, local authorities intend to prosecute a matter that originated in Barbados. There is a good chance local authorities will allow the Inniss matter to die in the spirit of a few protecting the many which is the mantra of the political directorate.

The blogmaster will not judge the Don except to say many are not as convinced of his innocence as he is.. It would be in the interest of local authorities to give Donville his day in a local court so that he can expose the lies of the ‘pale face people and house niggas’ he referred to in his home coming media orchestrating. 

Barbadians should keep in memory that another local, Alex Tasker has an extradition matter pending – if successful – has the potential to shed additional light on the matter as it relates to how local actors assisted in the crime Inniss was convicted in the USA. The fight against extradition by Alex Tasker a former local employee of ICBL and Ingrid Innes former CEO domiciled in Canada have the potential to keep Inniss in the unfavourable glare of the public for some time. 

Commonsense suggests the political ambition of Donville Inniss has been extinguished. However, the blogmaster joins with concerned Barbadians to fuss against the inability of the political establishment to materially commit to rooting white collar corruption. Do not bother to refer to Barbados’s standing on the Transparency Index, a measure based on a perception shaped by players who are mainly responsible for the current state of affair.

On a related note the blogmaster read about the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) meeting advertised, a joint zonal meeting today (26 March 2023) with former candidates Michael Lashley, David Estwick and Neil Marshall promoted to speak. Sometimes so much more can be conveyed by simply making and observation without commenting.

In God we trust!

323 responses to “Donville Inniss Victim or Criminal?”

  1. John Avatar
    John

    Maybe if we knew we would then know why the politicians are pushing 10,000 new houses down our throats when we don’t need them.

  2. Artax Avatar
    Artax

    “Maybe if we knew we would then know why the politicians are pushing 10,000 new houses down our throats when we don’t need them.”
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    That’s just your SELFISH opinion.

    Poor people do not have the means to spend years in Court ‘fighting for land.’

    I’m sure there are several Barbadians who would welcome affordable housing solutions, rather than having to rent, squat illegally on other people’s property or ‘legally’ at relatives or friends.

    Fortunately, some people living in Vauxhall, Christ Church were provided the opportunity to purchase land that was once owned by Vere Deane et al, (Adams Castle plantation???) at $2.50 per square foot…… and have built their houses.

    I know you’re an avid historian.

    Why not ‘tell’ us the history of Adams Castle Estate, with similar enthusiasm you use to ‘talk’ about the Quakers and how ‘good’ plantation life was for enslaved Africans.

  3. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    I had questioned, last week, why Guyana and Barbados appeared willing to set up a commercial enterprise involving gold. Here is the second part of Aljazeera’s investigation on the gold mafia.

    I am surprised that individuals appear not to concerned with the ICIJ list of entities listed in Barbados. We are all fully aware that this list appeared a number of years ago. If it don’t smell right than surely we can at least raise our concerns?

    Some of these shell companies are evidently involved in “money making schemes”. The Aljazeera’s investigation spells out the function of these companies .

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/30/how-zimbabwe-uses-gold-smuggling-to-evade-sanctions-choke

  4. Yolande Grant - African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved Avatar
    Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved

    TLSN…you have to understand something about the Slave mind ….if they are getting crumbs from the proceeds, they DON’T CARE that it’s happening…..even if the thefts and disenfranchisement are directed at the African descended person standing next to them…..and will ultimately disenfranchise their current and future generations as well, .their only interest lies in getting something from it…living for the now, they were not socialized to think any other way…..no scruples, no morals, no integrity, is their game plan…cuz it happens evawhere, their mantra and justification….just like their tainted, poisonous and pompous misleaders…the sameness of a sameness without end.

    Could someone please explain what these are doing…i know they were messing around with the Woolly Mammoth DNA years now, since they started finding frozen remains millions of years old, but now they are adding it to sheep (black belly???) and elephants (those who tried to swallow one????)..and telling ya enjoy ya new meat balls. Lol …looking for new alternatives for meat …

    “

  5. TLSN Avatar
    TLSN

    All of these Negro governments have a propensity to work hand in glove with minority groups at the detriment of their own black people. Take a good look at the photo in the latest blog “Just beyond your imagination?” They say a picture paints a thousand words.

    A small island like Barbados can not afford to embrace corruption. Are our people suppose to perish on the high seas, like their ancestors and the tens of thousands of African desperados fleeing the continent of Africa.

  6. David Avatar
    David

    https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRvoq7vN/

  7. Yolande Grant - African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing Copyright (c) 2023. All Rights Reserved.

    They embrace whomever helps them with their fraudulent scams against THEIR people…and dont care too much for doing things another way to bring progress and generational wealth to the majority population, it’s never their goal…never for the majority population to level up.

    You notice how their ignorant supporters admire that and NEVER speak out against it…..all they want to do is preen and be proud about the galloping pony world stage performances that brings no development, only more corruption and disenfranchisement, once again to stop progress for the majority…that has been a 57 year old traditional ambition…ya notice no one is calling them out on that….or all the LYING they do..

    But that Covid mess will be all their undoing…the hypocrisy show is coming to its final curtain…and we are witnesses.

  8. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Trump indicted; 1st ex-president charged with crime

    https://www.cp24.com/world/trump-indicted-1st-ex-president-charged-with-crime-1.6336423

  9. F.B.I. Avatar
    F.B.I.

    Parental warning
    Explicit lyrics

    Fuck being indicted so don’t you
    try it that’s the fuckin’ story
    Cops roll to the cemetery,
    no snitches in my laboratory
    I’m fittin to stir it, rock it
    up, so where’s my silver spoon
    I put my yay out on the block,
    and all you hear is boom
    This is my set, so you can
    jet, or get that sweater wet
    A fed is bloody, he’s been
    wounded by a fucking tech
    Rat tat to the tat tat, I’m
    a take him out of his memory
    For ridin nuts and tryna
    to stick me with delivery
    Loose lips, sink ships,
    so this is do or die
    This is a letter from
    Shoestring to the F.B.I.
    Backstabbers gone, so I guess
    you dirty cops are clean
    You took a father from their
    family, motherfuck their dreams
    Is what you said, so
    motherfuck a bitch ass fed
    I want you dead, I’m going to
    pump your ass full of lead
    Let’s make a deal,
    this shit is real, ill
    I pack my steel, you let him go
    Then we can let you live,
    you made that switch
    And now it’s time to kill you bitch
    Give you an overdose of
    bullets, and put you in a ditch
    Drug dealers and fed
    killers, let’s get united
    Boom holes on them hoes,
    green fuck being indited

  10. Yolande Grant - African Online Publishing African Online All Rights Reserved. Avatar
    Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing African Online All Rights Reserved.

    Oh well, other newsfeed got the story, guess it’s going down..

    ”
    CNN
    —
    Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter – the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges.

    The indictment has been filed under seal and will be announced in the coming days. The charges are not publicly known at this time, one source told CNN.

    The DA’s office has been investigating the former president in connection with his alleged role in a hush money payment scheme and cover-up involving adult film star Stormy Daniels that dates to the 2016 presidential election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office will reach out to Trump’s attorneys to discuss his surrender to face an arraignment.

    DALLAS, TEXAS – AUGUST 06: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Hilton Anatole on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. CPAC began in 1974, and is a conference that brings together and hosts conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders in discussing current events and future political agendas. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
    Manhattan grand jury votes to indict Trump, sources tell CNN

    The decision is sure to send shockwaves across the country, pushing the American political system – which has never seen one of its ex-leaders confronted with criminal charges, let alone while running again for president – into uncharted waters.”

  11. John Avatar
    John

    Yolande Grant – African Online Publishing African Online All Rights Reserved. on March 30, 2023 at 6:51 PM said:
    Rate This

    Oh well, other newsfeed got the story, guess it’s going down..

    ”
    CNN
    —
    Donald Trump has been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter – the first time in American history that a current or former president has faced criminal charges.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Poll numbers just went up by 11% because he said it was going to happen!!

    This should add an even bigger surge!!

    The Manhattan DA is either crazy or acting to promote Trump’s Presidency..

    “A potential indictment isn’t good for most politicians’ poll numbers — but Donald Trump isn’t most politicians.

    The former president, 76, has surged to a 30-percentage-point lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among Republican primary voters nationwide, according to a Fox News survey released Wednesday night.

    Trump has the backing of 54% of those surveyed compared to 24% for DeSantis — double the margin the 45th president enjoyed last month, when he led DeSantis by 43% to 28%.

    No other Republican cracked double digits in the poll, with former Vice President Mike Pence coming in third with 6% support and former Rep. Liz Cheney and ex-South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley each receiving 3%.

    The poll was conducted after Trump claimed in a posting to his 5 million followers on Truth Social that he would be arrested by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in connection with a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the weeks before the 2016 election. ”

    https://nypost.com/2023/03/30/trump-surges-to-a-30-point-lead-over-desantis-poll/

  12. TheOGazerts Avatar
    TheOGazerts

    I attempted a simple and silly joke earlier this week, but looks at what happens in real life…
    https://www.foxnews.com/media/lawsuit-against-univ-wyoming-sorority-alleges-trans-woman-watched-female-members-visible-erection.

  13. John Avatar
    John

    https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/nearly-half-democrats-dont-want-biden-run-poll-rcna76869

    About 25% of Democrats want him to run again.

    There are probably more Republicans who want him to run than Democrats.

  14. John Avatar
    John

    Grasshopper

    I think the LBGTQ community’s slip is showing, talk about clutching at straws.

    Do you think thus conspiracy theory is even worth fact checking?

    Sounds like pure fantasy,

    https://uk.news.yahoo.com/nashville-school-shooting-conspiracy-theories-203345379.html

  15. BAJE Avatar
    BAJE

    The former president, 76, has surged to a 30-percentage-point lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among Republican primary voters nationwide, according to a Fox News survey released Wednesday night.

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    FOX NEWS OR FAUX NEWS?

  16. John Avatar
    John

    Well, CNN reckons it is people of colour who are fueling Trumps polls.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2023/03/19/politics/trump-voters-of-color-analysis/index.html

    That was 11 days ago!!

    “CNN
    —
    Former President Donald Trump holds an average double-digit advantage over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in national 2024 Republican primary surveys. That, in itself, isn’t notable given Trump, the frontrunner, has been ahead of DeSantis (by far his nearest competitor or potential competitor) since polling began about the race.

    But what may surprise is how Trump is ahead. An average of CNN/SSRS and Quinnipiac University polls released this week reveals that Trump’s lead may, in large part, be because of his clear edge among potential Republican primary voters of color.

    Trump was up an average of 55% to 26% over DeSantis among Republican (and Republican leaning independent) voters of color in an average of the two polls.

    Among White Republican voters, the race was well within the margin of error: Trump’s 38% to DeSantis’ 37%.”

  17. John Avatar
    John

  18. John Avatar
    John

    https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latest-news/trinidad-wins-100-million-verdict-in-key-corruption-lawsuit/

  19. David Avatar
    David

    Experts unsure how Donville will impact DLP
    ALTHOUGH THEY WERE not surprised former Member of Parliament Donville Inniss received a warm welcome home, some political scientists are unsure what type of impact his return could have on the Democratic Labour Party (DLP).
    Political scientist Devaron Bruce said while Inniss was in the spotlight, he believed significant emphasis would eventually return to the leaders – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and her Barbados Labour Party (BLP) and DLP president Dr Ronnie Yearwood.
    “It’s not surprising that he generated support among friends and family. I didn’t think that was problematic. Friends and family showing up to see someone they didn’t see in years is not unusual,” Bruce said.
    He said he would have to wait and see whether Inniss would further hurt the image of the DLP if he spoke on their platforms or canvassed.
    “I think Dovnille said he did not see himself in elective politics and partisan politics in the same way as before, so I think that question has been answered on his end.
    “At some point, he might have some role to play, but we would have to see how it plays out, but I think the contributions would be a flash in the pan for now, given there is a lot of emphasis and attention given his recent trajectory.
    “However, long term, I think the focus will return to the main voices in politics, which would be the BLP and the leadership of the DLP,” he added.
    On March 24, Inniss, a former Minister of International Business, returned to Barbados after he was convicted in the United States on two counts of money laundering and sentenced to two years in prison. When he arrived at Grantley Adams International Airport he was greeted by a cheering group of relatives, friends and DLP supporters.
    During a followup interview with the NATION, while maintaining that he would not be silenced as some would like, Inniss suggested he might not participate in active politics as he did from 2008 to 2018.
    Meanwhile, political scientist Dr George Belle also made a similar comment about the welcome.
    “I see nothing wrong with that because he was a Cabinet minister for ten years and served that constituency so he had a base there. Unless the constituency had completely abandoned him, if he didn’t get any welcome, that would be a clear demonstration that they were ostracising him,” Belle said.
    Although he believed the DLP had to rebuild after two consecutive 30-0 defeats in the general elections, Belle said the party could still benefit from experienced leadership.
    “I think one of the reasons why the DLP lost the last election, was because it had not completed the rebuilding and had not consolidated the leadership. By calling an election early, [Mottley] undercut the rebuilding and undercut former DLP president Verla Depeiza.
    “On both counts, she did damage to the DLP and they still have to come out of that.”
    Belle was not convinced that the “kind of substitute leadership they have put there now, where the people at the front of the DLP have no real depth in relation to the commitment or representation of the party would be able to do the rebuilding”.
    While questioning the authenticity of the leadership of the DLP, Belle also said he was unsure whether Inniss would be willing to take up such a responsibility.
    “At short notice, they put themselves up at the front of the organisation and I think that is a weakness in the rebuilding process of the DLP and, to that extent, they might need more solid authentic leadership to emerge.
    “However, the problem is that leadership has been so discredited, because of the performance in the last administration, that they are a bit timid and when they got the confidence to come forward, they lost again.
    “Donville was not here for the last election, but he is a part of that core of discredited leadership and he would have to overcome that,” Belle added. ( TG)


    Source: Nation

  20. David Avatar
    David

    DLP?

    Blackett: Stop it!
    Indiscipline by seniors creeping into party, warns general secretary
    by CARLOS ATWELL
    carlosatwell@nationnews.com
    DEMOCRATIC LABOUR PARTY (DLP) general secretary Steve Blackett is issuing a warning to his party – he will not be tolerating indiscipline.
    While declining to get into specifics, he said yesterday that indiscipline, led by senior members, was beginning to creep into the 68-year-old party.
    “Indiscipline is one of the worst scourges that can affect any organisation . . . and if we don’t address this in the DLP we will find ourselves in a serious position.
    “It is showing its ugly head, led by senior members presenting themselves as mischiefs in chief. I am watching and I will wrestle it to the ground with every last breath in my body,” he said.
    Blackett was one of the speakers at a DLP zonal meeting of the St Lucy and St Peter constituencies at Big Don Bar, Benthams, St Lucy.
    Blackett also spoke out in defence of party president Dr Ronnie Yearwood. He said the party leader was under attack from without and within.
    “Dr Yearwood has qualities of leadership which would be accepted anywhere in the world but not in this DLP. He stacks up against anyone in the Barbados Labour Party, a product of Errol Barrow, yet still some in our party saying he is not the man to lead us,” he said.
    The general secretary also took a turn in political scientists Peter Wickham and Dr George Belle, whom he said had not said anything positive about the DLP in years.
    “George Belle is promoting
    Donville Inniss as a leader and Dr Yearwood as an interloper. I only listen to them because I’m not deaf . . . and I encourage you to take what they say with a grain of salt as they do not have the best interest of this party at heart,” he said.
    Inniss represented the St James South constituency before the DLP was swept out of power in 2018 in a 30-0 defeat at the hands of the Barbados Labour Party. He was charged in the United States in 2018, convicted in 2020 and in July 2021 began a two-year jail term for conspiracy and money laundering. Inniss returned to Barbados 11 days ago upon his release from prison.
    During that time Yearwood defected from the BLP to the DLP and contested Inniss’ former St James South seat for the DLP in 2022 when the BLP again swept all the seats. Yearwood became party president in May 2022.
    During yesterday’s meeting former party president Verla De Peiza said the north of the island remained underdeveloped in terms of roads, agriculture, water and more. De Peiza, who ran in the St Lucy riding in 2022, said it was time to stand up.
    “It’s time we get serious. One thing I’ve learned in the last five years is that the essence of democracy is speaking up, not to be heard at St Lucy Speaks and nothing happening,” she said.
    De Peiza called on the DLP and the public to agitate and insist, then act.
    “Democracy does not mean you will agree on every single point but if you are determined to make it work, you will. We’ve had years of hearing about projects but I have come to the conclusion change will only come to the north when the people make it happen. Set a plan, set a path and start walking,” she said.

    Source: Nation

  21. To DLP or not to DLP? Avatar
    To DLP or not to DLP?

    To DLP or not to DLP?
    that is the question
    reading between the lines..
    DLP are facing another 30-0 x3 loss again
    and the veteran oldies think Ronnie is too nice
    and they want to play dirty
    with populist ranting rhetoric

  22. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Anybody who actually listens to George Belle or to Petra Wicky fully deserves ‘brass bowl topsy’ status.
    Two complete losers, who have yet to achieved any shiite in their pathetic lives, but who continue to offer advice to Brassbados on how WE should succeed as a country….
    What the BB!!!

    By EVEN responding to these losers, Blackett demonstrates why the DLP is doomed.

    Donville has always been another waste….

    Common decency would have warranted a CONTRITE apology from him on his return, in a modest and low-keyed press statement – where he expressed regret at having DRAGGED the name of Barbados through the international dirt.
    He SHOULD have admitted his error.. claimed to have learnt a valuable lesson, and PROMISED to do all in his power to clean up the political landscape of Barbados as a result of the whole sordid experience….
    …and then asked for forgiveness…

    Instead, like the other two Jack burros who are promoting him, he insists on defending his unsavory behavior, and insisting that wrong is right….

    What a cursed place!!! What madness!!!

    “Quos Deus vult perdere prius dementat”

  23. David Avatar
    David

    It is time the media honour a responsibility to widen its baskets of political talking heads.

  24. David Avatar
    David

    Wow, AG Marshall addressing the issue of integrity legislation and mentioned Donville Inniss’ name.

    #politics!

  25. Hants Avatar
    Hants

  26. David Avatar
    David

    Marshall: No one charged with corruption
    WHILE BARBADOS HAS never indicted anyone for corruption, Attorney General, Dale Marshall, says he does not see this as a “failing”.
    Speaking yesterday at a Regional Training Workshop on Anti-corruption: Misconduct In Public Office, attended by prosecutors and law enforcement officers from the region, Marshall, in explaining how Barbados sought to develop anti-corruption legislation, said: “I have to tell you that to date we have still not charged anyone nor have we brought a case against anyone and I don’t see this as a failing. I think it is just a reflection on the fact that investigating corruption in a modern environment is extrordinarily difficult.”
    He added: “If it is one thing we can say is that the individuals who are engaged in corruption they learnt from the mistakes of the past and they are very, very, careful with how they conduct their misdeeds.”
    Yet he acknowleged that there was “a huge discussion as to whether we are doing enough to tackle the issue”.
    Marshall also pointed out that: “One of our failings is because historically we have not done a lot of investigative work in this kind of area. Our people are trained but training without practice is just having posession of the theory and in my 30 plus years at the Bar I can tell you that I do not know of a single corruption case in Barbados. I do not know of a single case where there was either the tort or crime of misfeasance in public office having been charged and it is simply not something that is part of the day-to-day activity of our investigators in the Police Service.”
    While noting that Trinidad had brought in 30 investigators from overseas to probe corruption in that island, Marshall suggested that part of Barbados’ problem was it too was a small society.
    “It is really very difficult in a small society like ours to be able to convincingly pursue matters in terms of investigations where acts of dishonesty are involved.”
    He explained that the while the integrity legislation was defeated in the Senate in 2020 there were other laws which could be relied upon.
    “It is especially important for the Caribbean but particularly of importance to Barbados. Barbados does not yet have anti-corruption legislation and therefore as a country that has been bedevilled by the stigma of corruption in recent times, we have had to try to think of innovative ways of addressing the issue.
    “In the meatime we’ve passed a new anticorrpution act. We’ve also brought to the statute books whistle blower protection legislation; we’ve also brought new public procurement legislation and we’ve also established by statute a special agency to deal with anticorrpution issues. All of these things we’ve done because we want to underscore the importance of acountability for all public servants.”
    He further told the gathering that it was important to look at the issue of misfeasance in public office because it covered a whole range of possible activity “and I dare say that this particular forum will equip all of us to be able to better deal with the legal issues”.
    Charley Williams, Charge D’ Affairs, British High
    Commission, underscored the scourge of corruption pointing out that it was a “threat to our families and society”.
    She stated: “It impacts on us all and poses a threat to national security and global security. It helps smuggle guns, people and drugs …; it erodes public trust in business, in government and in private institutions. It really causes people to question the integrity of our government institutions and question our government’s ability to govern.”
    (MB)

    Source: Nation

  27. David Avatar
    David

    Donville being probed
    by MARIA BRADSHAW mariabradshaw@nationnews.com

    THE SPOTLIGHT ON the Donville Inniss saga appears to be far from over.
    Yesterday Commissioner of Police, Richard Boyce, confirmed to the DAILY NATION that they were investigating Inniss.
    He told this newspaper: “The investigation involving Mr Donville Inniss is still ongoing. The assigned investigator is engaging the relevant entities and persons. I am not in a position to go into details at this time.”
    Inniss returned to Barbados 11 days ago to a jubilant welcome after being deported from the United States upon completion of a two-year
    sentence in a Federal Prison on a money laundering crime originating in Barbados.
    US officials had charged that between August 2015 and April 2016, when Inniss was Minister of Industry and Commerce, he accepted $36 000 from highlevel executives of Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL) and laundered that money through banks in the US.
    They also claimed that in exchange for the bribe, Inniss leveraged his governmental position to enable ICBL to obtain two contracts from the Barbados Government to insure over $100 million worth of Government property.
    To this day the 58-year-old Inniss has maintained that the money was a “political gift” and even pointed out during his appeal that he was never charged in Barbados for any corruption in relation to the offence.
    When he landed at the Grantley Adams International Airport, he stated: “Nobody never offered me a bribe as a minister. Nobody asked me to do them any favours that resulted in my receiving money, but the United States government, aided and abetted by a few paled-faced individuals . . . decided that I should be prosecuted and persecuted.”
    Yesterday, Attorney General Dale Marshall, speaking on the sidelines of a regional training workshop in Barbados on Anti-Corruption: Misconduct in Public Office,
    said the police had launched an investigation into Inniss, but he had no information about it.
    “I am quite sure that the police service commenced an investigation. I don’t know what the stage of
    the investigation is. The Commissioner is the person who would have to say where it is and where it is going,” Marshall said, stressing that the Barbados Police Service had to operate without political interference.
    “The Attorney General under the law could not direct the Police Service. I cannot direct the Commissioner. I cannot direct judges. That is the law.”
    Under a duty
    Asked what would prompt an investigation for someone in public life, Marshall explained: “When information comes to the authorituies or when a report is made that there is an act of corruption then the authorities, which is the police service, they are under a duty to investigate.”
    He added that the new anticorruption unit headed by former Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin also had full statutory responsibility to investigate any acts of corruption “that comes to its attention or investigate any alleged acts of corruption while it may not have come to their attention, they consider that there is some basis for carrying
    out an investigation.”
    During his feature address at the conference held at the Raddison Hotel, Marshall also made reference to the Inniss’ ordeal informing prosecutors and law enforcement personnel from the region that Barbados has never indicted anyone for corruption.
    “We have a chequered history when it comes to the issue of corruption. You will know that one of our Government ministers just recently returned to Barbados having been incarcerated in the United states. That particular minister was charged with money laundering, not with corruption, because the alleged corrupt act took place in Barbados, but the funds were routed from Bermuda to the US and then the whole thing fell apart,” he said.
    In 2018 when Inniss was first indicted, amidst questions on whether Barbados was also going to launch an investigation into the matter, then Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith had stated that unless the force received a complaint, the force would not get involved.

    Source: Nation

  28. David Avatar
    David

    Here we go again.

    De Peiza knocks Blackett
    by CARLOS ATWELL
    carlosatwell@nationnews.com

    FORMER Democratic Labour Party (DLP) president Verla De Peiza is taking umbrage at certain comments made by the party’s general secretary.
    On Sunday during a DLP zonal meeting of the St Lucy and St Peter constituencies at Big Don Bar, Benthams, St Lucy, Steve Blackett spoke about a small “cabal” within the DLP which he said was sowing indiscipline in the party while adding that that senior members were presenting themselves as “mischiefs in chief”.
    When contacted yesterday, De Peiza said she found the comments inappropriate for the public domain.
    “I am disappointed that any issues we may have that our General Secretary thought they should be in the public domain. That was not a speech for the public domain and I was very upset [Sunday] at that meeting, there is no hiding that. I’m going to take direction and counsel and then I will deal with that,” she told the DAILY NATION.
    Fended off challenges
    De Peiza took the reins of the DLP in 2018, fending off challenges from George Pilgrim in 2020 and Guy Hewitt in 2021. She resigned last year following the party’s second crushing 30-0 defeat at the polls, saying she had failed to unite the party or to ignite the country.
    Speaking during the meeting on Sunday, Blackett said: “Indiscipline is one of the worst scourges that can affect any organisation . . . and if we don’t address this in the DLP we will find ourselves in a serious position.
    “It is showing its ugly head, led by senior members presenting themselves as mischiefs in chief.
    I am watching and I will wrestle it to the ground with every last breath in my body,” he said.
    Leadership qualities
    On Sunday, Blackett also said: “Dr Yearwood has qualities of leadership which would be accepted anywhere in the world, but not in this DLP. He stacks up against anyone in the Barbados Labour Party, a product of Errol Barrow, yet still some in our party saying he is not the man to lead us.”
    The General Secretary went on to say if Jesus Christ were to come and present himself as leader, there would be people within the party who would find fault.
    De Peiza said she was not about to engage in any public brawl and she had no issue with anyone.
    Another issue which visibly upset De Peiza on Sunday night was when Blackett credited Yearwood solely for the refurbishment of the DLP’s George Street headquarters.
    “Most of our achievements in getting our bills paid with no arrears is principally because of Dr Ronnie Yearwood. He digs deep into his pockets and if his pockets are too shallow, he goes to some persons with resources and makes it right for us. If not for Dr Ronnie Yearwood, the DLP would be in darkness and no water would be flowing through the pipes.
    “Because of him . . . the bathrooms have been refurbished. The headquarters of the DLP can now hold its own among all of the buildings on George Street because it’s been newly painted . . . repairs to the bar . . . when your home is well [outfitted], sometimes you don’t feel like leaving,” he said.
    De Peiza declined to comment on this besides to say there were records in the media showing how improved their headquarters had become under her stewardship.
    The former party leader was also asked whether she would either be seeking
    to regain the presidency or gain a place on the party’s executive but she said their constitution “did not work like that” regarding the former and she “definitely” had no comment regarding the latter.

    Source: Nation

  29. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @David
    Here we go again
    ++++++
    This Benjamin Franklin quote should be first and foremost in the thoughts of DLP members.

    “We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”

  30. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Donville being probed.

  31. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    There is the old guard who have no time for Yearwood. This is his challenge.

  32. John Avatar
    John

    Never give up hope that things can improve.

    Here is why it is better to stand and fight if you know why.

    We can learn alot from the US!!

  33. John Avatar
    John

    Check my girl today in New York!!

  34. John Avatar
    John

    David
    on April 4, 2023 at 4:19 AM said:
    Rate This

    Donville being probed

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Donville must be a real political threat to the DLP now he is a free man!!

    How come they have not probed him before?

    How do you probe a politician?

    Is it too late?

  35. John Avatar
    John

    …. or, should be the BLP?

    Could it be both??

  36. John Avatar
    John

    HARD TASK
    Hurdles to laying corruption charges, says AG By
    By Marlon Madden
    The Barbados Police Service’s lack of practice in investigating corruption and offenders getting better at covering their tracks have made it difficult for authorities to press charges against anyone in public life.
    Attorney General Dale Marshall admitted this on Monday as he acknowledged that “to date, we have still not charged anyone, nor have we brought a case against anyone”.
    “I don’t see it as a failure. I think it is just a reflection of the fact that investigating corruption in a modern environment is extraordinarily difficult,” said Marshall.
    “If there is one thing we can say is that the individuals who are engaged in corruption learned from the mistakes of the past and they are very careful as to how they conduct their misdeeds.”
    Marshall was speaking during the opening session of a regional training workshop on Anti- Corruption: Misconduct in Public Office, at the Radisson Aquatica Resort.
    Noting that investigating corruption was “simply not something that is part of the dayto-day activity of our investigators in the police service”, he said: “Historically, we have not done a lot of investigative work in this type of area.
    Our people are trained . . . but training without practice is just having possession of the theory.”
    “So, while we as administrators and you as prosecutors may have all of the tools available to you unless you have the tools to investigate what is happening then I fear we will be in theory and no practice,” Marshall added.
    Noting that Barbados had a “chequered history” when it came to the issue of corruption, he made reference to former Minister of Industry, International Business, Commerce, and Small Business Development Donville Inniss being imprisoned for two years in the United States on money laundering charges. Inniss, who returned to the country a week ago, was jailed for his part in a scheme to launder $36 000 in bribes received from executives of the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Limited (ICBL) to help the company secure two government contracts.
    “That particular minister was charged with money laundering, not with corruption, because the alleged corrupt act took place in Barbados, but the funds were routed from Bermuda to the US and then the whole thing fell apart,” said Marshall.
    He acknowledged that as a result, “there is a huge discussion as to whether we are doing enough to tackle the issue”. “As a country that has been bedevilled by the stigma of corruption in recent times, we have had to try to think of innovative ways of addressing the issue,” said Marshall.
    He added that he was satisfied that the Mia Mottley-led administration was persistent in ensuring that measures were in place to tackle the issue of corruption Marshall pointed to the passing of the Prevention of Corruption Act last October, the Whistle blower Protection Act, the Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill currently before Parliament and the establishment of an anti-corruption unit, as measures being taken.
    “All of these things we have done because we want to underscore the importance of accountability for all public servants. None of them [is] going to be popular,” he said.
    After a failed attempt in August 2020, lawmakers laid a revised Integrity in Public Life Bill at the end of January this year, hoping that the changes made would ensure the passing of the anti-corruption legislation.
    Marshall told the gathering of regional Directors of Public Prosecutions and law enforcement and anticorruption experts that one of the challenges for Barbados “has always been exactly what structure we are going to adopt to deal with the issue of corruption”.
    However, stressing the importance of addressing the issue of misfeasance in public office, he agreed that “the failure to detect, investigate, prosecute and punish corruption had a corrosive impact on the rule of law”.
    The Attorney General said it was necessary for Barbados and other regional jurisdictions to “bring in people” from time to time to investigate alleged corruption given that “everybody knows everybody” and “it is difficult in a small society like ours to be able to convincingly pursue matters in terms of investigation where acts of dishonesty are involved”.
    He later explained that an investigation would be carried out whenever police receive a report or a tip but the anti-corruption unit, headed by former police chief Darwin Dottin, took that a step further to investigate any alleged act of corruption even if no official report was made.
    “Therefore, I think we have a better chance now of rooting out corruption by means of investigation and prosecution,” Marshall said.
    Chargé d’ Affaires at the British High Commission Charley Williams and Director of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement with the US Embassy in Barbados Reggie Singh underscored the importance of weeding out corruption in the Caribbean as they pointed to the massive financial impact corruption could have on the economies.
    They also reminded that corruption had the ability to erode public trust and the integrity of public institutions, as well as direct funds into a range of illicit activities including the smuggling of people, guns and drugs; fuel transnational crime; and destabilise countries.
    “Combating corruption effectively through strong investigations and prosecutions is essential,” said Williams.
    Singh said that strengthening the capacity of Caribbean justice systems to combat corruption is a top priority for the US government, adding that no country was immune to corruption and cooperation between countries in the region will, therefore, be critical in tackling the issue. marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb

  37. John Avatar
    John

    Attorney General Dale Marshall admitted this on Monday as he acknowledged that “to date, we have still not charged anyone, nor have we brought a case against anyone”.

    “I don’t see it as a failure. I think it is just a reflection of the fact that investigating corruption in a modern environment is extraordinarily difficult,” said Marshall.
    “If there is one thing we can say is that the individuals who are engaged in corruption learned from the mistakes of the past and they are very careful as to how they conduct their misdeeds.”

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    It helps if those involved in corrupt practices run the Court system in which the Police will have to bring the case.

    I was told that to my face years ago at the Central Police Station by a senior member of the RBPF sitting in his office and relating some of the corruption seen in previous years.

    It isn’t the Police that have a problem, everybody knows it, even this calypsonian!!

    The only person who doesn’t seem to know is the AG!!

  38. John Avatar
    John

    Maybe the AG was born after 1985!!

  39. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Many of our problems would go away if this practice of inviting politicians to speak at every cock fight or lime could be stopped.
    For the most part, citizens, especially the brass bowls among us, assume that these big-ups with titles actually know what they are doing, have our interest at heart, and are competent to manage our resources and to spend our money.
    ….then they come and talk shiite – because they are FORCED to make a ‘speech’, and then even Dompey (Where the Hell is Fenty?) gets to see the nakedness….

    It is MUCH better to silent and THOUGHT to be a fool, that give a speech and confirm the assessment beyond doubt.

    So can Froon PLEASE go back under his rock in St Phillip…?

    …and can the AG please see if he can hire the unusually intelligent ex-con who single-handedly brokered the gang truce, to do his speeches…

    Shiite man!!! Bushie is tired of the brassbowlery now….

  40. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    You do realize your argument is illogical? The reason the persons you mentioned are elevated to prominence is because of the deference our society confers on them.

  41. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    Bushie ..I like Froon. He is more amusing than most. Once you accept the bb’ery, a good laugh is a joy.

  42. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    LOL @ David
    Don’t mek Bushie dead did laugh…

    Boss, the reason these frauds are elected is because the public is given Hobsons choice.

    The SYSTEM is designed such that NO INTELLIGENT, DECENT, COMPETENT and CARING citizen would contemplate getting involved in the shiite dirt.

    Would YOU subject yourself to going around from the Blocks to the Corporate Boardrooms taking insults, begging, kowtowing, making false promises, and scraping – to get votes…???

    NOT STINKING Bushie!!

    What QUALITY of person would you expect to sink to that level?

    THEREFORE… what kind of leadership would you expect us to have…?

    In The BU 10 Point Plan, this is why the potential National Leaders are HEAD HUNTED, interviewed (for the desired qualities AND EXPERIENCE), ….AND also REQUIRED to resign if their performance do not meet the requirements set.

    This world of ours is DEAD, because the systems we have adopted are EVIL. They are driven by greed, selfishness and materialism….

    Only jobby can rise to the top in such circumstances….
    Bushie would sink and drown in de shiite… LOL

    But you wait until the REAL deal SYSTEM comes to town..
    …shortly 🙂 …and watch muh!!!

  43. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Bushie likes Froon too NO
    He is considered a friend….
    He just needs to keep his donkey out of politics…

    Actually, in Bushie’s humble opinion, Froon would be an excellent Priest….
    Burying people, admonishing sins, marrying, and even preaching the occasional sermon…

    Note that zero management skills are needed… and a solemn and mournful disposition would be an asset….
    LOL

  44. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    We need a coup to move to replace our democracy then?

  45. de pedantic Dribbler Avatar
    de pedantic Dribbler

    @BushGriot, other than your whimsical musings where has any national leadership been “… HEAD HUNTED, interviewed (for the desired qualities AND EXPERIENCE), ….AND also REQUIRED to resign if their performance do not meet the requirements set.”????

    Oh wait a moment … there is a variance of that called elections where the public does it’s own selective head-hunting but without the mandatory resignation (some reps can be recalled in some countries, tho). Ah well, around and around we go seeking a feigned utopia!

    But the AG’s speech was some serious laughter fah real. I really liked the part when he said that: “That particular minister was charged with money laundering, not with corruption, because the alleged corrupt act took place in Barbados…” Classic lawyer speak 😎

    But at least he had the balls and honesty to also then say that we need “to “bring in people” from time to time to investigate alleged corruption [because] “everybody knows everybody” and “it is difficult in a small society […] to convincingly pursue matters […] where acts of dishonesty are involved”.

    So the AG readily admits that a corrupt act took place in Bim for which people we inadvertently “bring in” from the US successfully prosecuted one of our ministers …. because “it is difficult” for ‘we’ to prosecute people we know well.

    In short, all that legislation is bare freaking boo! Steeupse.

    This is a sick joke, surely…. but heh let’s go to the 10 point plan… all yours Mr Bushie!

  46. David Avatar
    David

    Didn’t AG Marshall supported by then COP Griffith tell the public a member of the public was required to lodge a complaint to trigger an investigation against Inniss? In light of recent mouthings can we now say the requirement was met?

    #askingforafriend

  47. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Bushie…We need a coup to move to replace our democracy then?
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    To replace our brassbowlery…

    There was NEVER any doubt of that….
    …and one is coming!
    Ever heard of the ‘King of Kings and the Lord of Lords’…?
    “Satta Massagana”
    https://youtu.be/Q13jnj7y_3I

    Even Dribbler is beginning to see the inevitability of the coming of the Original Bush Man…

  48. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    “That particular minister was charged with money laundering, not with corruption, because the alleged corrupt act took place in Barbados, but the funds were routed from Bermuda to the US and then the whole thing fell apart,” said Marshall.
    xxxxxxx
    The authorities in Barbados have no work to do? Rassoul ICBL did it for them, and the evidence is now public record. ICBL admitted they paid a bribe. Is payment of a bribe illegal in Barbados or not? But here is the Joke.
    Fearful of USA authorities, not the GoB, ICBL via their owner parent, paid the profits (disgorgement) of a BARBADIAN deal to the USA!!! The GoB didn’t get a cent of what was THEIR taxpayers funds to begin with…BIDC insurance premiums. You cannot make this stuff up!!!

  49. David Avatar
    David

    Bush Tea until that time comes for those who subscribe, let the revelry continue.

  50. David Avatar
    David

    The local defense of pro Inniss/political directorate is that what Inniss did is embedded in how business is done in Barbados.

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