IN A DIRECT WARNING TO CORRUPT CARIBBEAN LEADERS, FORMER BVI PREMIER ANDREW FAHIE SENTENCED TO MORE THAN ELEVEN YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON ON MONEY LAUNDERING AND DRUG CHARGES

ANDREW FAHIE, once the powerful Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), was sentenced today in US District Court in Miami to 135 months in Federal Prison. Fahie was convicted by a jury of four counts, including money laundering conspiracy and narcotics conspiracy. The fact that his sentence was greater than that handed down to either of his two co-defendants has been noted. it was thought that Fahie would eventually change his plea to Guilty, but he insisted on going to trial, claiming that he had a viable defense.

The length of his sentence has been seen by legal observers here as a blunt warning to other corrupt East Caribbean government officials, several of whom are believed to be under active investigation for fraud, money laundering and corruption, and that the Department of Justice was sending them a subtle message to cooperate with the authorities before their inevitable indictment. The DOJ had sought a 19-year sentence for Fahie, who turns 54 years of age today.

Fahie's sentencing was repeatedly postponed, and there was speculation that he may have been negotiating a cooperation agreement, which could have lead to a short sentence, as there were repeated rumors that he had first-hand knowledge about criminal conduct of other sitting Caribbean government officials, but apparently no agreement was concluded. Many Federal defendants do end up cooperating after sentencing, to try to reduce their sentence, and we shall be closely monitoring the case for that reason.

Caribbean media have stated that Fahie indicated that he plans to appeal his conviction. He remains in custody in Miami's Federal Detention Center, which houses pre-trial detainees, pending his designation by the BOP to a Federal Prison where he will serve his sentence.