BARBADOS ATTORNEY FOUND GUILTY OF MONEY LAUNDERING AND THEFT; WHAT ABOUT THE DOZENS OF OTHERS NEVER CHARGED ?

The conviction, this week, of Barbados attorney ERNEST WINSTON JACKMAN, for money laundering and theft of client funds,  is but one tiny glimpse of justice in a country where lawyers routinely steal from their clients with impunity. Dozens of victims have had money that is rightfully theirs taken by their attorneys, representing recovery for damages, stolen estate assets, and other settlement funds illegally appropriated by the very counsel who are sworn to protect their clients' wealth.

In the aftermath of the conviction, victims are clamouring justice in their own cases, including the heartbreaking wheelchair-bound Stephen Archer matter,  the allegations against IAN BISHOP, and many, many others. Comments not usually aired publicly, due to fears from the victims that there may be threats of harm made against them, are showing up today, which is a positive development in the growing anti-corruption sentiment now surfacing in Barbados.

The Jackman case still must go to sentencing; there is a well-founded belief that the sentence will be lenient, due to the advanced age of the defendant. of course, the fact that seventeen years have elapsed since Jackman stole the six-figure sum from his client, should be an aggravating factor. His age should not used to calculate the sentence.

We call upon Barbados' Attorney General to personally review ALL the pending claims against local attorneys for theft of funds, loss of real estate, and theft of probate properties, and file the cases, so that justice can be had, finally, in a country where lawyers have free reign over their clients' money and property. All the victims of attorney misconduct in Barbados should now each personally petition the Attorney General to consider their cases forthwith. It's time for him to earn the handsome salary he draws from the taxpayers.

 

  

BARBADOS MEDIA TOTALLY IGNORES NEWS OF VICTIM IDENTIFICATION OF CORRUPT LAWYERS AND OFFICIALS

 

This past week, victims of the massive Barbados land fraud that has placed many families into poverty have gone on record, and identified the lawyers and government officials whom they allege have stolen their real estate inheritance, but Barbados media has completely ignored these important stories. The  victims' claims of official corruption, at the highest level, is important news of interest to all Bajans, but mainstream online and print newspapers have failed to cover it. I would think that such allegations and accusations, made against the Attorney General, and a sitting minister, would rate front page coverage, but a cover-up is obviously occurring in major media.  

We therefore conclude that there is censorship; whether this occurs as the result of connections between directors of media companies and senior government officials, or party leaders needs to be determined.

Consumers of media in Barbados might want to contact the Board of Directors at One Caribbean Media Limited, and ask them why such important news is being redlined. The chart above identifies these directors. 

Why are Bajans being shortchanged when it comes to the truth about corruption and money laundering  occurring with impunity in their country ? Do you not need independent media, not linked to the Power Elite ?

 

ARRESTED MALTESE GAMING CONSULTANT WAS THE REMOTE GAMING INDUSTRY MONEY LAUNDERING EXPERT

 The arrest of Iosif Galea, according to reliable sources in Malta, has resulted in a number of nervous private conferences amongst Labour Party leaders this week. The apparent reason is that Galea, ostensibly a consultant, but in truth and in fact, known to be the go-to person to launder criminal proceeds via the remote gaming industry, as he knows all the strategies and techniques involved, which are known to only a privileged few.

Labourites are concerned that Galea may be forced to cooperate, not only to obtain a reduced sentence, but also to protect a third party from indictment. The defendant is the director of various Malta gaming companies that operate in Germany. The European arrest warrant is for German tax evasion running in the millions of Euros. Tax evasion is a major felony in Germany.

An additional concern is whether Galea was looking for leverage on the Muscats, and used his lover, Michelle Muscat's personal assistant, to flush out information. His reputation for operating a "Honey Trap" is said to be legendary in Malta. JM is said to be especially worried about being charged in Germany. 

Finally, the Maltese gaming industry as a whole is in disarray, according to an insider, who fears that further arrests, which could result in a disruption on a grand scale, could seriously damage gaming business in Malta, and cause companies to relocate. organised crime elements in Malta derive a substantial revenue from gaming, in cooperation with powerful local businessmen, who are closely linked to senior PL leaders and elected officials in government.

Will Galea bring down the house on maltese gaming ? We cannot say at this early juncture, but we will be watching. 

ARE THE CORRUPTERS NOW LOOKING TO PUSHBACK AT THIS BLOG FOR EXPOSING THEM ?

Stephen Jackman

We note that someone who is most likely a relative of Barbados attorney ERNEST JACKMAN, whom we have exposed as one of the country's corrupt lawyers, and is being prosecuted for his sins, is looking into this blog and your blogger. He appears to be a former police officer in Barbados, although his profile cleverly does not show him as such. 

Mr. Jackman, be advised that I have had experience with Caribbean "Shoot the Messenger" tactics, and they don't work when you speak Truth to Power. I have 20 years' experience in anti-money laundering in Canada, where you are presently located, including training RCMP officers to pose as money launderers to catch criminals. I am well known there in the AML industry. 

It was inevitable that dark forces would seek to affect our campaign of "The People against the Corrupters." Their actions will only result in increased exposure of money laundering and corruption in Barbados. Govern yourselves accordingly.

BARBADOS VICTIM OF LAND FRAUD CHEATED BY THE LAWYER HE ENGAGED TO OBTAIN JUSTICE

If you were wondering why the bulk of the people of Barbados distrust their local attorneys, here's a typical case that will explain it. As you know, we are engaged in publishing a series of articles detailing how Bajans have been systematically defrauded of their real estate inheritance through a variety of schemes that have exploited their lack of knowledge about their legal rights and remedies by unscrupulous, greedy attorneys, who steal their land, often in coordination with corrupt officials and law enforcement officers.

All this information was taken from  a Statement of Witness filed with the Royal Barbados Police Force. The elderly victim is the heir to several lots owned by his family in Checker Hall Plantation House and Fustic Plantation House, passed down for generations. He needed legal assistance to attempt to recover those properties, which originally belonged to his grandmother. Corrupt lawyers in Barbados often detach real estate from a probate proceeding, then proceed to steal it from the rightful heirs,  destroying land documents and records to accomplish that criminal end.

The victim engaged the professional services of  self-described (but not licensed) attorney WINSTON DECOURCEY CLARKE; he had to render payments in installments, due to his limited means. Clarke then asked him for additional money, purportedly to cover the costs of running a legal advertisement in the newspapers, which he advised was required. The victim has receipts and acknowledgements, attesting to his payments. We have no record of Clarke being admitted to the practise of law; how did the BBA permit this ?

Time passed, and the ad never appeared. Clarke then, after being repeatedly contacted by the victim, reported to insults, threats and harassment, all designed to deter the victim from taking any action against him. The reason that we have not identified him is due to the risk that he will be physically harmed by Clarke, or his associates, or a criminal element acting upon the fraudster's orders and instructions. He could lose his life over the dispute. He shall remain anonymous for his own safety.

 The criminal complaint followed, although given the rampant corruption within the police, it is doubtful that he will ever see his money refunded. This is one of a large number of similar cases that have been reported to us, during our ongoing investigation, and which demonstrates that unethical lawyers in Barbados undertake to represent clients, neglect the matter entrusted to them, and keep the fees, knowing that they will not be held to account for their actions. The Bar Association is a joke.

If you thought that this individual was honest, local newspapers report that Clarke passed counterfeit currency in Barbados, for which criminal charges were filed. He deserves incarceration, and disbarment, forthwith. One more rotten apple amongst Barbados sorry' legal profession. 

REMEMBERING ON MEMORIAL DAY

 

Remembering today those men of the 25th Infantry Division whom I crossed the Cambodian border with in the Spring of 1970, and who were Killed in Action in that campaign. Lest we forget them.

DIRECT LINK UNCOVERED BETWEEN MONEY LAUNDERER ARRESTED BY ITALY AND JOSEPH MUSCAT

JM " No, don't know him." by COSIMO

We have additional information to add to yesterday's article*, regarding the arrest, in Italy of Maltese gaming consultant Iosif Galea, who faces charges brought by German law enforcement. Galea is the partner of Michelle Muscat's personal assistant. This critical detail links Galea directly to Joseph Muscat, who reportedly is now trying to play down the significance of this connection.

Iosif's partner's ex-husband is the Malta Film Commissioner,  Johann Grech, who made a public designation of his sexual preference, and left his wife, after which she established her relationship with Galea. Grech's arrest, by the Guardia di Finanza, occurred whilst he was with his group of traveling companions , which terrified Joseph and Muscat, who feared that the Guardia was there to detain them.

Joseph Muscat has now publicly disowned any connection to Iosif Galea, exercising what appears to be damage control.This raises the question: was Galea laundering bribes and kickback for Muscat ? This theory is strengthened by the fact that no Maltese media is reporting on the link between the Muscat family and Galea. We are continuing to investigate, and shall provide further details when we have them. Stay tuned. Joseph Muscat is trying too hard to distance himself from this money launderer.

Iosif Galea had a history of connection to honey traps. he had an affair with attorney Gayle Kimberly of the John Dalli Snus affair, and used this affair on Kimberly not to testify in court. This appeared in a documentary" The European Cigarette Mystery- The John Dalli Snus Affair."https://mobile.twitter.com/bugdavem/status/950853732060860416?lang=en Is there something more to Galea's current intimate relationship ?

Johann Grech, Malta's current Film Commissioner

____________________________________________

*Was Prime Minister Abela assisting Maltese Money Launderer Protected at Home, but Arrested in Italy ?

WAS PRIME MINISTER ABELA ASSISTING MALTESE MONEY LAUNDERER PROTECTED AT HOME, BUT ARRESTED IN ITALY ?

IOSIF GALEA, an accused Maltese money launderer linked to the dodgy (but legal) gaming industry, who was recently arrested on a German warrant when he left Malta, and arrived in Italy has been there subject of much speculation about the level of corruption in Malta's Police, but there's a darker side to this scandal. His known relationship with accused Daphne assassination suspect, businessman Yorgen Fenech, is only part of the story.

Galea, a gambling industry consultant who apparently enjoyed the proverbial "hands-off" status that Maltese Mafia crew members enjoy, courtesy their masters in the ruling Labour Party, meaning that he could not be arrested, and if arrest was imminent, he was to be tipped off to allow him to leave town, is also linked to Malta's Prime Minister, ROBERT ABELA, who claimed to be a former employment attorney, in truth and in fact was actually a criminal defense lawyer for organized crime leaders. 

Abela, who has not been seen in public since Galea's arrest, was allegedly reportedly behind the strange issuance of a belated arrest warrant out of Malta AFTER Galea was in custody in Italy, is reportedly linked to the accused money launderer, as an adviser on criminal law matters. The connection was initiated through former Malta PM Joseph Muscat, according to a whistleblower inside Pl, but we are unable thus far to independently confirm that particular detail.

Galea with John Dalli and Silvio Zammit

Once Galea is extradited to Germany, we shall be closely monitoring the case, for if the defendant chooses to cooperate with the authorities, in exchange for a reduced sentence, he may name and implicate senior Maltese government officials, which presents an existential challenge for the country's Attorney General, who is known to be under the control of senior PL leaders. Who will fall from grace, due to Galea's testimony ? We cannot say, but we will be watching. 

BARBADOS -THE PEOPLE VERSUS THE CORRUPTERS - THIS SATURDAY @ 0900 EASTERN TIME/1400 UK TIME

 

Our participation in the weekly online radio programme, from the UK, on Bajan Vibes Radio, The People Versus the Corrupters,  continues this Saturday at 9:00 AM, Eastern and Atlantic Times, or 1400 hrs. UK Time. It can be heard online at :  https://246bajanvibesradio.com/

Readers who have inquiries about corruption and land fraud in Barbados may contact me at; miamicompliance@gmail.com

BARBADOS VICTIMS IMPLICATE ANOTHER ATTORNEY IN FRAUD SCANDAL

 

One of the victims in the massive Barbados land fraud scandal that has caused Bajans to distrust their own legal profession has named Alair P. Shepherd QC as one of the attorneys whom they allege was a participant in the theft of real estate belonging to their family. We are aware of which specific property was involved, but are withholding that information as it is part of an ongoing investigation. 

Whilst this is only an accusation, and must be proven in a court of law, that reckoning will be, we understand, filed in a court of law outside of Barbados, due to the systemic corruption that has infected the local court system, as well as all aspects of official and government life there. The personal involvement of officials at the highest level of government has rendered the court system a cruel joke, being played upon citizens who possess valuable land, handed down through their families, and which Barbados' power elite covet, either for resale to foreign companies intent on tourism development, or to transfer to a member of their criminal conspiracy. 

It is not known just how many local Barbados attorneys have been involved in this dark scandal, but we are aware of several others, and victims are contacting us on a daily basis, to point a finger at additional legal professionals whom they allege stole from them. We intend to investigate all such claims.

Others are contacting us with lesser profesional complaints, including Bajan attorneys who have accepted cases, and received legal fees paid to them, but have done absolutely nothing to advocate on behalf of the clients who have paid them. Attorneys must zealously represent their clients' interests, and cannot neglect a legal matter entrusted to them. Again and again, the utter failure of the Barbados Bar Association to discipline its members comes up in discussions with the victims. We conclude that it is a large part of the problem in Barbados with lawyer misconduct and lawyer crime; Something needs to change.

MIKHAIL GAVRILOV, RUSSIAN FSB HACKER WANTED BY FBI

 

NORTH AMERICAN COMPLIANCE OFFICERS: DO ANY OF THESE FOREIGN LAWYERS HAVE ACCOUNTS AT YOUR BANK ?

Coat of Arms of Bridgetown

Our investigation into official corruption in Barbados has confirmed that there have been many cases where Bajans, who have entrusted the proceeds of real estate sales to local attorneys to hold in trust, never receive their money after the transactions have closed. The victims have been unable to recover their funds, due to rampant corruption, in the courts and law enforcement agencies. It is a potential compliance problem for a specific reason.

Obviously, a number of the lawyers who have taken their clients' cash most certainly sent, or transported, the proceeds of their crimes abroad, with the United States and Canada being the most likely jurisdictions where they would feel their money is secure. Therefore, it is humbly suggested that compliance officers at North American banks now check their customer lists, to ascertain whether they have any significant accounts which might belong to Barbados attorneys.

The names below, not a comprehensive list of all Barbados lawyers, but which does show many of the most prominent attorneys licensed there, may assist you in checking your accounts. We are not accusing any of these individuals of misconduct, but given the large number of attorneys alleged to have brazenly stolen from their clients in Barbados in recent years, ALL Barbados lawyers should be considered high-risk who have opened personal bank accounts in North America. Are you banking any of  them ? What is the Source of Funds in those accounts ?

Please note that lawyers may not have disclosed their profession at account opening, or, like the lawyer for Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet did in the US, claimed that their large balance was due to inherited wealth, or a non-legal business they owned abroad. In any event, having once been a compliance officer myself, I deem it important that those who are responsible to insure that their institutions are not used for money laundering be aware of the high-risk nature of maintaining large accounts for foreign nationals who happen to be attorneys in Barbados, where there are few, if any, restrictions upon criminal acs that would bring swift disbarment anywhere else in the English-speaking world.

With those caveats mind, here is my list; I am unable to find a comprehensive list online, so you may wish to broaden your account search to all Barbados clients over a certain amount that might be normal for those who visit as tourists from time to time, and may maintain a vacation residence.

ROSALIND SMITH MILLAR, Q.C. LAURA HARVEY-READ COREY GREENIDGE HON. RAQUEL GILKES RICKEDA TAYLOR BARRY GALE Q.C ANDREW THORNHILL Q.C. C. ANTHONY AUDAIN Q.C. FIONA HINDS Q.C. KAYE WILLIAMS NAILAH ROBINSON KRISTIN TURTON LISA TOPPIN- CORBIN DARIO WELCH TIFFANY WILLOUGHBY KEVIN WEBSTER TYRA TROTMAN LIESEL WEEKES

THE BARBADOS LEGAL SYSTEM FAILS ITS CITIZENS WHEN IT COMES TO ATTORNEYS STEALING FROM THEIR CLIENTS

                                        POSTED ON THE INTERNET IN 2019

WHO IS ERNEST JACKMAN?

WHAT IS HIS BACKGROUND IN THE BARBADIAN LEGAL SYSTEM?

HAS HE EVER WENT BEFORE THE BAR ASSOCIATION FOR MISCONDUCT OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF CLIENTS FUNDS?

HOW MANY CLIENTS HAVE LAID COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE NAME OF THIS LAWYER?

WHAT CONNECTIONS DOES HE HAVE THAT AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AGAINST HIM HE CAN STILL PRACTICE LAW?

WHAT RECOURSE DO BARBADIAN CITIZENS HAVE AGAINST LAWYERS LIKE ERNEST JACKMAN WHO WITHHOLD THEIR MONIES?

IS THE BARBADOS BAR ASSOCIATION A MERE FRONT FOR LAWYERS AND THEIR WRONGDOINGS?

WILL THE GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOS ASK FOR INVESTIGATION INTO CLAIMS AGAINST ERNEST JACKMAN?

DO BARBADIAN CITIZENS SUCH AS THE LATE STEPHEN JACKMAN HAVE RIGHTS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF BARBADOS TO BRING LAWYERS SUCH AS ERNEST JACKMAN BEFORE AN ESTABLISH TRIBUNAL?

Ernest Jackman must account for the 2.4 million he withhold from the late Stephen Archer. The Barbados Government should offer assistance in this matter. All others such as the Bar Association, the Utility Company, the Family of Stephen Archer and any others with connections to this case needs to be CALLED TO ACCOUNT!

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

This week's very public (and very, very belated) money laundering and theft trial of a Barbados lawyer, Ernest Jackman, who stole from his clients FIFTEEN YEARS AGO, tells us that the Barbados Bar Association is a large part of the problem. Complaints were directed to it years ago, and it did absolutely nothing, other than notify the offending attorney. It did not initiate proceedings to disbar him, have him arrested, and show other lawyers, publicly, that his crimes warranted accountability. Look at the above plea for justice against Jackman, from yet another client who was a victim. He is a clear and present t danger to his clients.

Let me suggest that those attorneys practicing law in Barbados, who consider themselves to be honest, contact the American Bar Association, in the United States, dissolve the Barbados Bar Association, which is obviously part of there corrupt "Old Boy" network, and seek advice on creating a new entity, free from corruption, that has both the teeth to discipline its members, and the fortitude to do so.

Meanwhile,  the court must convict Jackman, and sentence him to a term of imprisonment, seizing and selling off his assets and real estate, to repay his numerous victims.

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF BARBADOS LINKED TO MASSIVE LAND FRAUD BY VICTIM STATEMENTS

DALE DERMOT MARSHALL, Q.C., the sitting Attorney General of Barbados, has been implicated by several crime victims in alleged participation in a major land fraud scandal, in the same case where there are sixteen co-conspirators previously mentioned as co-participants. Whilst we generally choose not to identify sitting government officials, to prevent them from resigning and transferring criminally-derived assets, we believe that the voters in Barbados have a right to know which of their elected representatives have targeted the very people they were elected or appointed to serve, so that they can govern themselves accordingly.

The scale of the fraud is so massive that we will be devoting a number of articles to diagramming it, and explaining its operation, but we want to identify the players early on, so that our readers put a face to the professional misconduct, by those who applied their specialized knowledge of law and procedure to cheat ordinary Bajans out of their cherished patrimony.

We anticipate that there will be pushback, claims that the information is not true, that it is  disinformation and misinformation, shoveled at the current government, and it supporters and allies, for a purely political, or even evil, purpose. Do not believe this "Shoot the Messenger" drivel; speaking truth to power always draws hatred and statements designed to distract the reader from what is really important: Corruption on Earth, acts most foul. Stay focused, Bajans. We intend to expose government officials on an even higher plane shortly.

MALTA EARNS A FAILING GRADE FROM THE GROUP OF STATES AGAINST CORRUPTION

Malta has only implemented 2 of the 23 Recommendations laid down in 2019, regarding anti-corruption measures that need to be implemented, according to the NGO Group of States Against Corruption or GRECO[Groupe d'Etats Contre la Corruption].

 The Compliance Report on Malta, from GRECO'S Fifth Evaluation Round, published on May 24, 2022, effectively awards an "F" grade to Malta for its lack of significant progress in the last three years. This is yet another yardstick that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) looks at in determining whether to remove Malta from its Greylist, and may even push evaluators towards the other direction, the FATF Blacklist. 

No EU country has ever made the Blacklist, and the assignment to that category would swiftly turn Malta into Europe's North Korea, regarding international financial ostracism. It would also restrict Maltese

The complete text of the Compliance Report can be accessed here.

READ THE U.S. POLICY STATEMENT WARNING ABOUT THE AML/CFT DANGERS OF CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT (CBI) PASSPORT PROGRAMS

Citizenship by Investment (CBI): Departments and agencies will engage with foreign jurisdictions to address vulnerabilities created by Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. CBI programs attract investment by granting foreign investors citizenship rights in the country concerned—without requiring prior residency by the applicant. This additional nationality can undercut a cornerstone of AML/CFT regimes, as corrupt actors use CBI benefits to achieve enhanced access to the international financial system and visa-free mobility. Ineffective legal and regulatory oversight has led to the abuse of CBI programs by criminal actors, sanctions evaders, and corrupt officials. While we do not have a CBI program, the Administration is also committed to working with the Congress to enhance the process for vetting and granting visas under the U.S. EB-5 program.

( a direct quote from the United States Strategy on Countering Corruption,  December 2021.)

HALKBANK BELATEDLY FILES ITS PETITION TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN SDNY IRAN SANCTIONS EVASION CASE

After obtaining the maximum amount of delay permitted by the Court, Turkish Government-owned HALKBANK finally filed its Petition for a Writ of Certiorari before the United States Supreme Court. The bank is seeking a ruling on whether a government-owned financial institution can be charged with a crime under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, which bars suits, though there are exceptions when there have been commercial contacts.

The issues framed in the Petition:

(1) That there is a conflict among the different Circuit courts of Appeal on the subject, giving rise to Certiorari, allowing the high court to take jurisdiction.

(2) That the case is "Exceptionally important and squarely presented."

(3) That the two lower courts erred in ruling against the bank, and ordering that the criminal proceeding must proceed.

Though the odds that the Court will take the case are small, it is still possible. We will monitor the proceedings until a decision as to whether it will be accepted is handed down.

TRIAL JUDGE IMPOSES STRICT BOND CONDITIONS FOR BVI PREMIER; CAN HE MEET THEM ?

 

The District Judge who will try the money laundering and corruption case against ex-BVI  Premier Andrew Fahie has considered the US Attorney's appeal of the Magistrate's bond terms, and has imposed far more strict conditions.Whether Fahie can meet the new terms remains an open question.

The new bond conditions:

(1) A $500,000 Personal Surety Bond, cosigned by the defendant, his college-student daughter, and a friend.

(2) A $500,000 Corporate Surety Bond, with a Nebbia hearing; this means that the defendant must demonstrate that the costs must of the bond be shown to be from legitimate sources.

(3) House Arrest (Home Confinement) 24/7, with all attorney visits to be held at the residence only.

(4) The defendant must sign a waiver of  extradition, which means that should he flee, he could be extradited from anywhere in the world.

The US Attorney can still appeal this ruling to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal. Whether Fahie's attorneys can secure his release depends upon their client's ability to show the Source of funds for his bond. We will update our readers on all developments as they occur.

TWO ATTORNEYS IMPLICATED IN WILFRED ABRAHAMS LAND FRAUD IDENTIFIED BY VICTIMS

 

Our series on official corruption in Barbados has resulted a number of victims contacting us, and sharing their evidence and testimony with this blog, which includes the names and roles of certain professionals who violated their solemn oaths when they allegedly participated in a massive land fraud that is linked to Minister Wilfred Abrahams, and which we have previously mentioned in our article entitled Minister Wilfred Abrahams, Paragon of Corruption .

The documents, which  refer to specific transactions and properties that were allegedly the subjects of land fraud, through a number of techniques, some of which were conducted under the colour of law, and others through fraudulent transfers, or transfers accomplished through misrepresentation of material facts, extortion or theft. They do not belong in the public domain at this time, but will be turned over to an appropriate law enforcement agency abroad, in connection with the victims' money laundering, Foreign Corrupt Practises Act, or Bribery Act allegations. These matters may also support Racketeering (RICO) charges.

Bear in mind that there is a presumption of innocence regarding any individual named by the victims.

Two of the individuals named and specifically listed by the victims, and also appearing in the relevant documents produced by them, are:

(1) Michael Neil Fitzwilliam, Q.C., an attorney in Barbados, specialising in real estate law.

(2) Laurie-Ann Smith Bovell, then an attorney in private practise, and now a High Court Judge.

As our investigation continues, we shall be weaving a web of corruption and real estate fraud that contains individuals, both in and out of government, and their supporters and business associates, beneficiaries of this illicit and illegal industry, whose goal is to divest honest Bajans of their historic patrimony, their ancestral lands and holdings, and deliver them to frontmen, who can then sell them off to local contractors, foreign resort developers, and associates who can hold stolen land for eventual future sale. Stay tuned. 

 

EUROPE DEMONSTRATES THAT IT DOESN'T TRUST MALTA IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE MATTERS

The Maltese Mafia rules

The recent arrest of Yorgen Fenech associate NICOLAS CACHIA in Sicily, on an arrest warrant from France, reciting charges that he is associated with a horse doping ring known to involve 26 participants,  is significant. French authorities wisely waited until Cachia was outside Malta before requesting that he be detained. What does that tell you ?

The failure of the Government of France to seek assistance from Malta's Attorney General, and the head of the Malta Police, regarding the arrest of Cachia, is a clear indication that they know these corrupt officials, who take orders not just from Labour Party leaders, but prominent businessmen who pay for advance notice of police and prosecutorial action,  would tip the target off in advance to allow him to escape, and evade justice.

That is how Europe regards Malta; a small, corrupt, untrustworthy country where organized crime always trumps the law, and where nobody linked to the power structure is held accountable stable for their criminal activity, ever. No wonder there are well-placed fears that ALL Maltese passport holders, arriving on flights abroad, may soon find that they are regarded as high-risk visitors, who require considerable scrutiny by customs & immigration officers, before being admitted, as possible members of Malta's Mafia, organized crime.

VICTIMS NAME SIXTEEN CO-CONSPIRATORS WITH WILFRED ABRAHAMS IN MASSIVE BARBADOS LAND FRAUD

Our investigation into the corrupt dealings of attorney (and Minister) WILFRED ABRAHAMS has uncovered sixteen (16) Bajans whom we have established are co-conspirators with Abrahams in his extensive programme of land fraud. We will be identifying these individuals after we have forwarded their  complete financial information to the appropriate US law enforcement agency charged with enforcing America's Money Laundering Control Act, for their actions in assisting Abrahams with the proceeds of his criminal activities violate a number of major US Federal laws.   

Please note that three of these individuals are licensed attorneys, and one of those attorneys holds a very senior position in national government. Whether his identification, and indictment in an American court, will ultimately be responsible for a change in government is a distinct possibility. The remaining attorneys, who employed special skills in their participation in what is a racketeer influenced criminal  organisation, face longer terms of imprisonment for that reason.

Whether Abrahams is aware of it, he has awakened the proverbial sleeping giant, the American criminal justice system which, once awakened, cannot usually be stopped before charges are brought. Somewhere, someone in his crew has accessed the USA financial structure, regarding the movement of the proceeds of crime now in America, and he will eventually pay the price for that mistake. Stay tuned for further developments. 

BVI PORTS DIRECTOR IN ANDREW FAHIE CORRUPTION & COCAINE CASE WAIVES BOND HEARING

One of the other defendants in the case involving former BVI Premier ANDREW FAHIE  has waived her right to a hearing on bond. OLEANVINE PICKERING MAYNARD, the BVI Ports Executive Director has, in a court filing declined to exercise her right to seek release at a detention hearing. Reports indicate that she is considered a flight risk, and therefore any effort to obtain a bond would most likely have an extremely small chance of sucesss.

Oleanvine's son, co-defendant KADEEM MAYNARD, has not yet been transported to Miami, for a First Appearance. It is doubtful that he will be granted bond, given his lack of ties to the United States.

Rumours continue to circulate regarding Andrew Fahie's reputed cooperation against other BVI officials, as well as officials in Antigua and Dominica; we are unable to confirm precisely whom he has implicated, but he has reportedly made a Proffer of information, in his quest to mitigate his probable prison sentence of up to 30 years.

RAMPANT ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT IN BARBADOS CAN ONLY BE CURBED BY A TOTAL BOYCOTT OF ALL CIVIL LAWYERS HANDLING REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

 

Will these new lawyers be honest, or will they steal like their brethren ?

In the countries that have an English Common Law heritage, stealing money from your clients generally warrants disbarment for attorneys, and possibly criminal prosecution for such a criminal act. This is especially egregious when it comes to real estate matters, where the client is expecting to receive funds from a closed transaction. 

During our ongoing investigation into financial crime and corruption in Barbados we have encountered victim after victim, all with similar horror stories. They all engaged a local attorney to handle the sale of real estate they owned, but after the closing off the transaction, the sale proceeds were not disbursed to them. A number of flimsy excuses were repeatedly given, and they could never get their lawyer to pay over to them their money. Years go by, and many are now aged and in deplorable financial condition. 

All their efforts with the Barbados Bar Association proved fruitless, as were any attempts at legal action. The failure to timely disburse client funds is grounds for disbarment, but the bar association reportedly has a history of failing to discipline any of its members for breaching their ethical and legal obligation to clients, regarding payment of funds the lawyers are holding in escrow, or in trust for the clients.

If you look at the website of the bar association, you can easily see that its efforts are a joke. The Code of Ethics page is blank, there is no listing of disciplinary actions taken to protect clients, and all of the hyperlinks are dead. This is a pathetic attempt to appear to be a gatekeeper, but it is obvious that it is not discharging it's duty to the public at large.

Therefore, when institutions that are supposed to protect fail to do so, more radical steps are necessary to achieve results. It is humbly suggested that all Bajans now boycott the attorneys who practice law in their country. This is directed to all civil lawyers; criminal defense attorneys, who do not hold client funds,  should be exempt, as their mission is different.

Bajan who are in the process of selling their real estate are encouraged to engage the services  of a competent attorney from outside the country, since you simply cannot trust lawyers in a society who steal from their clients, and are not disciplined for their sins ands transgressions. Prominent attorneys from elsewhere in the East Caribbean are often called in for major matters, so why not use a lawyer who comes from another Caribbean state ? You should, of course, vet them first, but BLACKLIST ALL THE CIVIL ATTORNEYS FROM BARBADOS if you want to reform the local profession, to make them honest.

WILL BARBADOS' MINISTER WILFRED ABRAHAMS RESIGN ?

 

According to reliable sources, Barbados Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams has been under pressure to resign his post, after details of his rampant corruption appeared recently; he has become a high-visibility liability to the present government. Prior calls for his resignation last year, with prejudice to his returning to any Cabinet-level position, went unheeded by the minister, but current circumstances are far more serious, as his corrupt activities have become a major topic of discussion.  Public pressure, which was unsuccessful in the past, is now more vocal, and Abrahams' responsibility in failing to supervise staff who engaged in the torture of young girls is again the subject of the peoples' anger.

Additionally, a number of Bajans who have identified Abrahams as the principal actor in the loss of their family's real estate have made their stories publicly known, and are openly seeking justice, both through criminal charges abroad, and recovering the amount of their losses. Some have contacted this blog, as the result of our repeated appearance on a UK-based radio programme, and the circumstances of their cases are similar, and quite disturbing.

We join in the calls for Abrahams' resignation, and departure from public service forthwith, and for an investigation into his reportedly corrupt activities, committed whilst in office, and under color of law. The identities of individuals who have associated themselves with Abrahams, and conspired with him in the commission of multiple crimes, are now known, and we trust that they will also be held to account for their sins and transgressions. We plan to publicly name them, and detail their involvement in criminal activities.   

WOLFSBERG GROUP LISTS FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN ASSESSING NEGATIVE OPEN-SOURCE INFORMATION DURING DUE DILIGENCE INVESTIGATIONS

In determining what constitutes a “good” source, the [Wolfsberg] Group believes that typical characteristics of reputable sources are:

• Media Type: international news agencies and national newspapers which report on a broad spectrum of global and national events usually provide accurate and higher quality reporting. Regional and local news providers may report on events which are not covered by larger scale outlets, indicating that the reporting may only be deemed material to a specific location.

• Content: in larger scale primary media, credibility of the content is in general higher when subject to editorial oversight. There are a few factors which may indicate that a source is not reliable:
  o content is being corroborated from social media or appears to be non-professional o can be edited online by network participant(s), or

  o appears to be opinion-based9.

• Geopolitical context: publications considered as politically neutral, or not fulfilling any

  specific political purpose would in general be more credible. Consideration should be given to news reported in countries with weaker democracies and/or non-democratic states where media may be controlled or influenced by leaders or leading parties. The presence of polarised news reporting should also be considered10 and FIs should refer to sources such as the Press Freedom Index11 to confirm the independence level of the press from political and corporate influence.

• Redundancy: in general, where the content of media sources can be substantiated by relevant or related material found in other reputable, the media sources are more reliable.

• Editorial Coherence: publishers who provide relevant details (e.g., statistics, dates, numbers, figures, names, and locations) and original source of information, cites, quotes or footnotes, usually represent higher quality and fact-based news. Sources where materials contain typographical, spelling, and other errors or lacking rhetorical structure may not be reliable. An author’s linguistic choices and lexical diversity (e.g., emotional, extensive punctuation, eye-catching words) may indicate filtering of facts.

• Website Layout and Appearance: websites which appear to be poorly laid out or badly maintained may indicate less reliable content.

  
  

MARTINELLI BROTHERS SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS PLUS $250,000 FINE IN ODEBRECHT BRIBERY AND MONEY LAUNDERING CASE

 

The two sons of former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli, RICARDO ALBERTO MARTINELLI LINARES, and LUIS ALBERTO MARTINELLI LINARES, were sentenced on Friday to three years in Federal Prison, and a $250,000 fine, for their involvement in the Odebrecht bribery scandal. The brothers, who entered a plea of guilty to a single money laundering conspiracy charge, initially cooperated with the US, but later fled the country, to be detained in Guatemala, and ultimately extradited two years later, back to New York. 

They have been in a Federal detention center, awaiting the resolution of their case, for approximately six months. Their attorney has stated that he will seek credit for the time they spent in a Guatemalan prison, towards their sentence, but they may eventually be required to serve their entire sentence, after which they face certain deportation to their native Panama.

MINISTER WILFRED ABRAHAMS, BARBADOS' PARAGON OF CORRUPTION

 

For starters on exposing the institutional corruption within Barbados government and its judicial system: 

 Meet Wilfred Abrahams BLP, MP for Christ Church East, Minister of Home Affairs (Interior Minister). Attorney at Law. Prior to becoming Minister, Mr. Abrahams could be best described as the neighborhood alligator or Jaws, swimming for the next prey. 

As a lawyer he is known to wheel and deal on both sides of the law; his corruption racket includes high ranking officials within the Barbados Police Service. They would set up false arrest of innocent individuals, and Mr. Abrahams would step up as the victim’s legal defender, shaking down their families for thousands of dollars.  

 We are beginning to learn from Confidential Sources within US law enforcement that Mr. Abrahams has been on their radar since 2018, for money laundering conspiracy, to facilitate the delivery of narcotics to the United States, among many other violations of US law. Person or persons currently incarcerated who are now facing long prison sentences in the US are now cooperating with law enforcement. (Abrahams is currently under pressure for the mishandling an investigation surrounding abuse of children at the government industrial school).

The head of the Barbados Prison Service, Lieutenant John Nurse, has been sent on forced leave, pending investigation of corruption that took place under Abrahams' management.

 

The question is, considering how corrupt the judicial system is in Barbados, will Abrahams ever face justice in his home country for all his past crimes, or will justice come for his victims via the US justice system ?

 

Our next article on Wilfred Abrahams will describe how he targets his victims, and names the crew of corrupt officials who support his criminal activities.   

  

MEDIA QUESTIONING OF DONVILLE INNISS' GUILT IS PART OF A CAMPAIGN OF DISINFORMATION, NOT A SEARCH FOR TRUTH

Booking Photo

I recently reviewed an article, which previously appeared in Barbados media, seeking to cast doubt upon the guilt of former Minister Donville Inniss, who is still serving his sentence in an American prison for receiving a bribe to direct certain government insurance business to a private company, and then attempting to hide that illegal payment through  a third party. What is disturbing is the length to which the author went to document what he alleged were the facts; that Inniss was never legally authorised to direct that insurance coverage could be shifted to a company of his choosing. Hogwash !

The article completely fails to acknowledge the extent to which corruption exists in Barbados, how the "Old Boy Network" of power elite operates, and why on earth would an insurance company send him a political contribution. It is utter nonsense to insist that Inniss had no part of the matter, and to attempt to categorise the bribe as a routine payment to a politician for purely political purposes, verges on insulting the reader's intelligence. Why give him a contribution, for what purpose ?

The extensive recounting of how the business was divided amongst insurance brokers is there only to confuse the reader by appearing to be authoritative, but it doesn't convince me. This was a corrupt process, achieved by a senior official who had clout in government, to feather his nest, nothing less. The article also fails to explain that he was convicted because it was proven in court, to the absence of a reasonable doubt, that he received, and sought to conceal, a substantial bribe.

The final attempt to convince the reader that the conviction was improper, and that Inniss was "railroaded,"  persecuted  as a "black politician from a third world country, by the powerful US Government.'" This is a transparent attempt to play the Colonial card, to attribute dark motives to his prosecution,, and not a legitimate effort to deliver justice in a foreign corruption case. Who sponsored this elaborately constructed disinformation, we ask ? Whoever it was, it failed miserably. Donville Inniss was convicted because he was guilty.

JUDGES IN BARBADOS IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS UPON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS

To quote the United Nations, " Freedom of Expression is a Fundamental Human Right, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of human Rights, '" but in Barbados, a republic within the Commonwealth of Nations, Freedom of the Press is often restricted or censored, either through judicial action, or censorship  conducted from opaque orders issued by the power elite. 

Recently, Stephanie Chase, of the Chase Files, one of the most popular and respected blogs in Barbados, was unceremoniously and improperly hauled before the criminal court. It seems that Ms. Chase's story about a pending criminal trial, in which she correctly reported that the defendant had a prior case also involving accusations of sexual assault upon a minor, did not sit well with the judges, as they feared jurors, whom were then hearing the new case, might read it and be improperly influenced. How inept the bench in Barbados must be, if the judges neglect this basic requirement of jury trials in criminal proceedings. 

I don't know where madam Justice Pamela Beckles went to law school, but in every first-year law student in countries that are English Common Law jurisdictions, the judiciary instructs all sitting jurors to desist from reading, watching or listening to any media where news of the case might be broadcast or reported. To order Ms. Chase to delete her article is a violation of Article 19, and denies her Freedom of Expression, which is her right in a democracy. The public has a right to know the facts, regarding all ongoing criminal  proceedings, whilst the are in progress, and no judge has the right to deny it to them, if they cannot educate their jurors.

Barbados needs some new judges, meaning some who respect basic rights. Ms. Chase was not afforded advance notice of the offense she allegedly committed, she was summarily summoned to court, without a summons or any other document. She was not afforded the opportunity to consult with an attorney, nor was one provided to her or made available at her appearance before the court. This is what we call in the civilized world, a Kangaroo Court, bereft of the Rule of Law,  

We note that we have become aware of many other defects in court procedures, as practiced in Barbados, and we intend to expose each and every bloody one of them to the cleansing effects of sunshine. Stay tuned, Barbados, because your country's corrupt court system is about to get a dose of truth to power.

STATISTICS REVEAL RUSSIANS ARE THE LARGEST GROUP OF PURCHASERS OF PASSPORTS IN MALTA

RA Shaking the Snake, Shaking the Rope  by COSIMO

Statistics compiled by an agent of the European Union has revealed that Russians represent the largest national group of purchasers of Maltese IIM passports in the country's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. Maltese passports grant the holders visa-free entry into the European Union's Shengen Zone.

Unlike the rest of the countries of the EU since the illegal invasion of the Ukraine, Malta has refused to expel the large contingent of Russian intelligence agents operating out of the local Russian Embassy.Whilst it has ceased issuing new passports to Russian applicants, it has not stopped renewing passports of Russians as they expire, and only a single passport issued to a Russian national has been revoked. meaning that Russian Oligarchs, and their immediate families who hold the IIM passport continue to be able to use them to freely enter the countries of the European Union, and all other nations where EU passports allow visa-free admittance.

Malta remains the lone EU Member state that still sells passports, notwithstanding pending legal action by the European Union to compel it to terminate its programme, with prejudice, due to the rampant abuse of Maltese passports by transnational white collar criminals, citizens of sanctioned states, citizens from State Sponsors of Terrorism, and corrupt Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). The lucrative cash flow into the Maltese treasury, and the spinoff business they generate for Malta's dodgy offshore financial services industry continues to trump AML/CFT.

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FINALLY, A SENTENCE FOR A LAWYER CONVICTED OF MONEY LAUNDERING THAT MAKES SENSE : NINE YEARS

 

HASSAN ABBAS, a Lebanese national who was a licensed attorney in Illinois, and was convicted oN multiple financial crime charges got a sentence that properly fits the crime: nine Years. A District Judge in Massachusetts imposed  a sentence which was appropriate, due to the damage that the defendant inflicted upon his victims. Abbas was residing in Belgium at the time he committed his criminal acts, where he also held citizenship, according to DOJ reports.

Abbas was convicted of:

(1) Money Laundering.

(2) Unlawful Monetary Transactions.

(3) Wire Fraud

The defendant, and his associates, perpetrated Email Compromise (BEC) and Romance crimes upon their victims, The two and three-year sentences being handed down of late for money laundering do not serve as an effective deterrent, in our humble opinion; sentences for money laundering should also take the offender out of circulation for an extended period of time, to reduce the possibility that he will reoffend  after serving a short sentence. Money laundering sentences should be of such a length that the defendant will think long and hard before diving right back into criminal activity.

Lawyers, who hold licenses issued by state authorities, take an oath to zealously represent the interests of their clients. For a licensed attorney to fleece his victims in this manner justifies a lengthy sentence, the revocation of his license, and deportation after he completes his sentence. We trust that he is returned to his native Lebanon, and not to the EU.

RUSSIAN HACKERS - $10m REWARD

 

MORE HORROR STORIES ABOUT BARBADOS' CORRUPT LAWYERS

 

We are collecting information from the many Barbados victims of attorney misconduct, as well as outright larceny. They have contacted me as the result of hearing me speak last week on 246 Barbados Vibes Radio, the UK online radio station that expats, as well as residents of Barbados, regularly listen to.

Many victims lost their inheritance this way: they engage an attorney to handle the estate of their parents or other close relatives, the lawyer collects the money, but ultimately only disburses a small portion of the assets of the estate to the heirs. He gives his clients lame excuses regarding delays in closing out the estate; years pass, and they never receive payment. The lawyer keeps it for himself, a violation of his oath.

The other experience that has been repeatedly recounted to me involves real estate owned by the decedent. The lawyers explain that they cannot find the deeds, or that the public records are in complete, or that the deceased relative never owned the property in the first place.The lawyer conveys the property to a third party, either in a sale, or transfers it to a member of Barbados' corrupt power elite.

 The local bar association, which has no teeth, never takes steps to disbar anyone, and ignores any victims who approach it, seeking justice. Anyone who brings the matter before the courts finds that his claim is dismissed, or delayed for so many years that it becomes a sick joke on the victim, who cannot understand why decades are passing by without a resolution of his loss.

If you have a personal story of how you were cheated by a corrupt lawyer in Barbados, send it to me at miamicompliance@gmail.com and listen to me discuss possible practical solutions this Saturday, back on Barbados vibes, at 9:00 Eastern and Atlantic Times, or 1400 hours London Time. You can hear the discussion at: https://246barbadosvibesradio.com

RUSSIAN-AMERICAN, WANTED IN NEW YORK, WHO FLED BEFORE HIS SENTENCING

 

CONVICTION OF A SINGLE LAWYER FOR THEFT AND MONEY LAUNDERING IN BARBADOS IS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG

 

Local media in Barbados covered the money laundering and theft conviction this week of attorney  Norman Leroy Lynch, who stole estate funds many years ago, and was not brought to justice until this year. The reporters, who could only find that a couple of  lawyers in total were convicted in recent years of theft, missed the point. What about all the others who are stealing ? 

The total number of attorneys who have plundered estate accounts, and assisted clients in stealing real estate from the elderly, infirm, widows, and expats living outside Barbados, with impunity, cannot be accurately calculated, but are conservatively estimated to be several dozen. These lawyers, who are part of the power structure in the country, due to their close association with either corrupt government leaders, law enforcement officials, or party leaders, know that they will not be charged for their crimes, and if by any chance something does happen to them, their friends in the court system will see that they prevail, notwithstanding that there is clear and convincing evidence against them.

The public needs to be protected from the professionals whose primary responsibility is to serve the  people they are harming.  it has gotten to the point where  Barbadians do not trust their own local attorneys to help, and not hurt , them. The local bar association ignores its role as gatekeeper and disciplinarian of the legal profession. I have been hearing horror stories from the victims, all of whom are now warning others to avoid engaging lawyers, in any matter where the recovery of money or property is involved, What a sad state of affairs. They are violating their sacred oath, and betraying their clients.

Let us humbly suggest that victims, or individuals who do not want to become victims, seek competent legal counsel outside of Barbados, for your own protection, and make sure that the lawyer that you do select does not have an incestuous relationship with the power elite in  Barbados. Find counsel abroad, for your own protection, and to increase your chances of success, 

MALTA FAILS TO FOLLOW EU LEAD IN EXPELLING RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS POSING AS DIPLOMATS

Whilst the countries of the European Union, especially Italy, France and Spain, reacting to Russia's criminal invasion of the Ukraine, have expelled dozens of Russian intelligence agents (i.e. Spies) from their territory, the Republic of Malta, whose government is pointedly ignoring the dangers, has thus far refused to follow suit. The Russian Embassy, which is a known base of operation for Russian spies, operating within the embassy under Official Cover, meaning titles that disguise and conceal their true purpose, serves as a jumping off point for Russian intelligence operations within the EU.

We know the reason for Maltese government inaction; the lucrative IIM (Citizenship by Investment) passport sales programme, which sells passports with Schengen zone visa-free access, draws a large percentage of its clients from Russia, and the government does not want to kill the financial Golden Goose that results lucrative fees, as well as spinoff business, which is handled by financial service companies closely associated with Prime Minister Abel's corrupt Labour Party.

Therefore, we have a large number of Russian agents freely operating within the EU, based in Malta, during a time of war in Europe, with the tacit approval of the Abela government, aiding and abetting Putin's espionage programme, targeting the Members of the European Union. How long will this be permitted to go on, until Russian agents target and destroy weapons and munitions shipments transiting the region ?

 The people of Malta need to choose which side they are on; that of the democracies of the European union, or of the autocratic regime of  former Russian spy Vladimir Putin. Time's up, Malta.