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Ex Ports MD Claude O. Skelton-Cline sues Gov’t

From left: Claude O. Skelton-Cline and Attorney General Baba Aziz. Former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Claude O. Skelton-Cline, through his attorneys, has filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/GIS
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline is being represented by law firm Hunte & Co. While the details of the case has not been made public as a search at the High Court Registry unearthed that it was just filed a few days ago and not ready for public viewing, it is a part of the fall out from the non-renewal of Mr Skelton-Cline’s contract by the National Democratic Party, after Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (in photo) reportedly advised to wait after the 2015 general elections for the contract to be renewed. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline is being represented by law firm Hunte & Co. While the details of the case has not been made public as a search at the High Court Registry unearthed that it was just filed a few days ago and not ready for public viewing, it is a part of the fall out from the non-renewal of Mr Skelton-Cline’s contract by the National Democratic Party, after Minister for Communications and Works Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (in photo) reportedly advised to wait after the 2015 general elections for the contract to be renewed. Photo: VINO/Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- After being the ‘fall guy’ over the whopping $50M overspending on the Ports Development Project and the alleged corruption scandal, the former Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) Claude O. Skelton-Cline has filed legal papers to sue the Government of the Virgin Islands.

The case filed this week via the law firm Hunte & Co, in Claude O. Skelton-Cline vs The Attorney General, seeks in the first instance a Judicial Review.

While the details of the case have not been made public as a search at the High Court Registry unearthed that it was just filed a few days ago and not ready for public viewing, it is a part of the fallout from the non-renewal of Mr Skelton-Cline’s contract by the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Background

Mr Skelton-Cline contested the 2011 general elections with the National Democratic Party in District Two. He lost to former legislator J. Alvin Christopher in a four-way race. Mr Christopher received 423 votes to Skelton-Cline’s 339.

Following his election defeat, Mr Skelton-Cline was hired on a close to $100,000 a year contract as a consultant with the Ministry of Communications and Works where he had special over-sight of the NDP Administration’s plan to expand the cruise ship pier project.

In 2013 he was appointed Managing Director of the BVI Ports Authority on a three-year contract that ended last year December 2015. According to an NDP source, he requested a renewal before the June 8, 2015 general elections after the BVIPA Board had already advanced an early recommendation for such a renewal.

However, he was reportedly told by Communications and Works Minister Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) and reportedly other Cabinet Ministers to wait until after the 2015 elections.

To date, his contract has not been renewed and he is now unemployed, even after his NDP party won the elections in a landslide.

Recently, the subject Minister Vanterpool said Mr Skelton-Cline has done a good job in executing the Tortola Pier Project but “his assignment is over…time to move on.”

While the details of the legal papers are still uncertain, it sets up another battle between Government and a private citizen.

Our newsroom will be the first to bring you more details once the legal papers become available.

75 Responses to “Ex Ports MD Claude O. Skelton-Cline sues Gov’t”

  • DON Q (25/02/2016, 11:44) Like (65) Dislike (0) Reply
    now the ting start
  • zika head (25/02/2016, 11:49) Like (68) Dislike (4) Reply
    At least he got balls to sue unlike huge darley
    • S O S (25/02/2016, 12:50) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
      Wouldn't be surprised to know that he was instructed by Sharley, " Take this rope and hang yourself. Use this tree,it is a big-time tree".
      You know how we are Sharley say make yourself a ,,'':; an we grin and say how soon?
      Poor fella!
      His character has always been suspicious.
      Another star in NDP crown at the end.
    • Roll Ovah (25/02/2016, 13:50) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
      No ball at all.
      Padna cornered.
      He has no choice but to out himself.
      Shake hands with the Devil and he will squeeze ,every time.
  • Yes (25/02/2016, 11:53) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    jack i tell yo lol thign to talk ndp u think them nice well sah lol
  • Bushmaster (25/02/2016, 11:54) Like (93) Dislike (1) Reply
    NDP vs NDP lol talk about biting a hand after it feed you.
    • WakeUp (25/02/2016, 14:35) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
      It's Private Citizen (which you have associated with NDP) versus The People (The Public's Monies) not NDP as they will not come out of pocket if Mr. Cline wins.
      • Bbushmaster (26/02/2016, 06:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Man who ran on an NDP ticket was beneificiary of many "contracts" under and NDP government suing the NDP led government = NDP vs NDP lol
  • wize up (25/02/2016, 12:04) Like (84) Dislike (0) Reply
    and there are off and running(10 furlongs)....this one will be a photo finish
  • new house (25/02/2016, 12:16) Like (15) Dislike (8) Reply
    mehson go tek a chill pill before dem man expose u
  • Trump (25/02/2016, 12:25) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Making the vi great again woow

    More lies and cronies taking money
  • islander (25/02/2016, 12:47) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    lol more to laugh at
  • Sue all of them.. (25/02/2016, 12:51) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Artist need to come together and sue myron for outstanding plus pain and suffering.
    • @ sue all of them (25/02/2016, 14:58) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      And also wasting tax payers money and still refused to refund tax payers
  • watchman (25/02/2016, 12:57) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply
    So you can force someone or a government to renew your contract now ? LOL!
  • chad (25/02/2016, 13:05) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Ports project is beautiful but too much corruption was allowed to go free without any investigation. It is clear the Honorable Minister needs to be investigated.
  • Clearly (25/02/2016, 13:07) Like (62) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark needs to be removed & the Ports project thoroughly invwstigated.
  • People (25/02/2016, 13:10) Like (142) Dislike (2) Reply
    I agree the Ports project is beautiful. I agree it is needed but from what I have seen I don't agree that we got value for the $83 million dollars spent. Somebody or bodies gone home rich with a nice robbery in the millions. Time will tell.
  • Hmmmm (25/02/2016, 13:17) Like (107) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is interesting. Mark stated just a few months ago in the House of Assembly that Claude was doing an excellent job and he will defend him & what he is doing to anyone anywhere & that Claude was not going anywhere. Then a few months later refused to renew Claude's contract. That doesn't add up. This entire matter & project needs investigating. No one should be allowed to get away with so much hard earn tax payers dollars.
    • Kerosene (25/02/2016, 14:25) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      Mark didn't even inwite the man to the grand opening.
      • Not Tue (25/02/2016, 16:14) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
        Oh yes he did! You were invited .I was invited. No one was left out. Everybody was invited.
    • Skook Chirren (25/02/2016, 14:29) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      The man in the White House is who caused this, not Government. Furthermore, if we humble ourselves we would get further in life much easier, word to the wise.
  • Taxi Man (25/02/2016, 13:18) Like (33) Dislike (5) Reply
    If Mark had leave his A$$$$ on the Taxi Stand playing (Dominoes) after the 2011 Elections ,we wouldn't have this newsance filing nothing against the Government....Why he ain't include the Governor with his smart a$$$ tatics? My friend remember your former boss doing 27years and they will give you 37 years in the UK..
  • never enough (25/02/2016, 13:23) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply
    he wants more? he didn't get enough? typical kliens
  • civil war (25/02/2016, 13:25) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    teeth and tongue fall out....LOL
  • Yes (25/02/2016, 13:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Will hugh darley be his star witness???
  • vex (25/02/2016, 13:50) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Go clude
  • Queen Mary (25/02/2016, 14:09) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Not sure what a Judicial Rreview is but in this instance, sounding to be like an effort to impress and justify costly bill by the hour lawyers with no case.
    Premier ,Gov and Atty Genl is where the buck stops on this one,my opinion.
    " his assignment is over...time to move on " per Vanterpool's words at the Pier Port a few days ago.
    End of story.

    r
  • *Hmm (25/02/2016, 14:11) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    "To date, his contract has not been renewed and he is now unemployed, even after his NDP party won the elections in a landslide."

    He could go & run Taxi
  • Amazed (25/02/2016, 14:31) Like (44) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am amazed at how so many persons seem to accept that since the ports project looks good & has opened let us move on & don't worry about the many unexplained million dollars unaccounted for & unjustified to date. This place is really about who is loved no matter what illegal acts one does. Smh.
  • nutmeg (25/02/2016, 14:35) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    At the end of this ,the People of the VI should sue him for filina a frivolous case.
    This puppet show of a lawsuit is paid for with peoples money.
    • wow (27/02/2016, 08:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sue for what? A happy meal voucher at McDonalds or a free all you can eat pass at a Chinese buffet?
  • ta ta (25/02/2016, 14:53) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ndp suing themself just like cct did
  • vip (25/02/2016, 15:00) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Look how them man treat claude imagine me who do not support them
  • Legit Expectation (25/02/2016, 15:30) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    You promised me that after the elections you will deal with me now what?
  • in the news (25/02/2016, 15:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope he learn his lessons get it before the elections
  • Advice (25/02/2016, 15:46) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
    Is this guy a pastor? hmmm. Best advice I can give him is to count his loot then take his bags and go back to Detroit. That slick american s%$t don't work in we small town no more. Ask Hugh Darley.
    • @Advice (25/02/2016, 16:55) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      You gonna stay and pay for the oversized house he gah and the heavy engine audi? Just leh he stay here and struggle pay for em.
    • ???? (27/02/2016, 08:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Who more slicker or think they got game than you slow ... People here. Stop hating the player, hate the game.
  • Oh yeah (25/02/2016, 15:50) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    The cabinet approved the renewal of his contract but the governor stopped it.That is why he is sueing.The government have to pay big on this one.Sufficent time was not given on his termination.This happened before and the payouts were huge. Both at the port and the hospital.
  • ......... (25/02/2016, 16:09) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    For all those celebrating this, his contracted expired. We don't owe him a new contract. Plus, from what I heard, it was the Governor who stopped the renewal of this contract. But like the rest of you, I would like to see what will come of this.. Not sure what grounds he's suing on, but I guess we'll soon find out. He doesn't have much of a case in my opinion. Some of you all just so silly. If they had renewed it, a set of you all would be here bitching about the poor job he did and still got a new contract, and how NDP rewarding their friends, etc. There just is no please you people. Just ridiculous....
  • nutmeg (25/02/2016, 16:20) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    If the Governor refused to approve the contract, he must have had compelling reasons.
    This must be the reason for the Judicial review request.
    Will be interesting ,if in fact this case gets off the ground.
  • FREE ADVICE (25/02/2016, 16:27) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Mayson klaud leh sleeping dog sleep
  • Horse Path (25/02/2016, 16:30) Like (18) Dislike (7) Reply
    Ask the former government how much did the lady that owns Treasure Isle hotel got when she was at the same port authority
  • The real lol (25/02/2016, 16:53) Like (31) Dislike (5) Reply
    This one will never see day in court. Hush money on the way. They can't afford to let Mr Detroit go to court and sing like he back in Motown!
    • @the real lol (25/02/2016, 19:45) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      This is the most thought out comment I saw on his site all day. I cannot imagine that the Government will sit down and allow our Cabinet Ministers or members of Caucus for that matter (as this matter was tossed about everywhere), especially our esteemed Premier to be called to take the stand in such a matter. Perjury is a real crime, our poor premier never get the right information to have his facts straight and this one is for all the marbles as Claude does not appear scared. The NDP better think this one through, find a settling point and let every body move their separate ways for peace sake.
      • Clearly (25/02/2016, 20:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Interesting! We heard that too whenDarley wass attempting his shakedown. Suggestingthe Gov pay him off is transparent effort by those such as yourself,to discredit the Gov.
    • strupis (25/02/2016, 20:15) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      corruption will keep all of us poor too.
  • alvin (25/02/2016, 19:31) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want claude to expose the duttiness
  • LOSER (25/02/2016, 20:01) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Loser, more u have the more u want...
    U can nerva win the Gov...
    Go cry on this one......
  • Random (25/02/2016, 20:10) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time and time again the NDP has worked against the interest of the average BVIslander and it is time for them to go.
  • The Reaper (25/02/2016, 20:17) Like (2) Dislike (8) Reply
    Why he run from America...Why. Can someone tell Me Why.Sue..What ,he need too say humble.America want U
  • hip hip hurray (25/02/2016, 20:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    More importantly, our democratic system is again being tested in terms of its methodology and concept, including the fact that people have the say in deciding what to do, as opposed to dictatorships. Feel free Claude !.
  • bvi law (25/02/2016, 20:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Win, lose, or tie, be happy for the democratic process that we so cherish. Society is Governed by rules of order.
  • Amen (25/02/2016, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Cline god is with you
  • Born BVIslander (25/02/2016, 21:58) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    School children say that Hon. Done Deal encouraged him to filed this suit after his colleague didn't side with him on having him in charge of the Labour Dept. when they didn,t renew his contract, they also say that Claude cabal at Ports is going to departments under Done Deal Ministry.





  • Tic Toc (25/02/2016, 22:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As the saying goes tome is longer than twine. It's been a long time high profile government workers haven't gone to jail. I think for all the talk out there if anyone of it is true Cline needs to stay low. Pridefullness is a sin pastor.
  • i going tell (26/02/2016, 01:45) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    lawdy see how this money train continues he sues the govt. settles pays him a 4 year lum sum he walks away happy and them all laughing at we what a thing good thing God don't sleep
  • Conspiracy. (26/02/2016, 03:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is all a trick. NDP will settle the case out of court. And gave him a a few million. Its a plan a conspiracy.
  • W*F (26/02/2016, 12:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just an NDP trick to give Claude Cline more money under the, "We Settle out of Court", disguise.
  • Looking on..... (26/02/2016, 17:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What an insult to the people of these beautiful Virgin Islands.
  • Lollllllllll (27/02/2016, 08:41) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ding,ding,ding goes the trolley,
    Clang,clang,clang goes the bell,
    Sitting back enjoying my Organic
    Chips and dip watching the rats
    Destroy each other over a few pounds
    Of cheddar cheese.
  • dog (27/02/2016, 23:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    waht goes around comes around. Why is he entitled to contract renewal? He was part of the problem.
  • sorry (28/02/2016, 07:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is so sad for our country. Shame on you greedy people. Just stop this and do the right thing. Investigate fairly and those who did wrong will be exposed. Stop wasting our money and shaming our people. Hunte you crazy to get in this one!
  • Bushmaster (28/02/2016, 11:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now this is the biggest laugh.

    This NDP cronie who was the beneficiary of several contracts and a high paying lucrative job for which he had no relevant experience and qualifications is now suing the hand that fed him.

    He ate so much pork and fat off the people's tab and now is lining up to eat more as the CEO of the BVIHSA. Another job for which he has no relevant qualifications or experience except his two last names. That and his NDP party card should be qualifications enough for another high paying job in the BVI.

    We got jokes mehson


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