GASTON BROWNE'S AMERICAN LAWYERS ATTEMPT TO DERAIL THE §1782 CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION

The attorneys for the individuals and entities who have been subpoenaed by the claimant in the American §1782 discovery proceeding involving the Antigua luxury yacht sale scandal have intervened in the case, on behalf of their clients, and are now seeking to quash the discovery granted by a Federal Judge in US District Court (SDNY).

Their memorandum, which opposes the Order granting discovery,which was issued on March 17, granting the claimant's motion,asserts: (1) That the Antigua proceeding is, for all intents and purposes, completed, and therefore cannot represent the grounds for the granting of the motion for discovery, (2) The claimant's Russian case, against the Turkish purchasers does not involve Browne or individuals or entities associated with him, and (3) There has not as yet been a civil action filed in the UAE, only one contemplated. What counsel is in essence saying is that the order should not have been entered, because all three statutory requirements of §1782 have not been met.

Additionally, counsel for the Browne parties complains that the scope of the discovery sought is overly broad, and really designed to defame him, and inflict economic damage upon Antigua, to which correspondent accounts in the United States are a "Lifeline." We will be closely monitoring additional filings, and the Court's decision, as this has become a case of great public interest, both in Antigua, and in the American banking sector.