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Former Bahamas Labour Minister on bribery charges

August 4th, 2017 | Tags:
Former Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson was yesterday slapped with one count of misconduct in public office, 16 counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and 15 counts of extortion. Photo: Tribune
CARIBBEAN 360

NASSAU, Bahamas - A third member of the former Perry Christie-led Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration has been hauled before the law courts on a string of bribery charges.

Former Labour and National Insurance Minister Shane Gibson was yesterday slapped with one count of misconduct in public office, 16 counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and 15 counts of extortion.

It is alleged that between January 2 and April 30 this year, Gibson accepted $610,000 in bribes from private citizen Jonathan Ash for using his influence to approve outstanding payments owed to Ash by the Government.

In relation to the extortion charges, Gibson is accused of demanding $610,000 from Ash between February 7, 2017 and March 30.

The conspiracy to commit extortion allegedly occurred between the same dates.

In one conspiracy charge, he is accused of conspiring with another person to demand $250,000 from Ash. The second conspiracy count alleges that Gibson and another person received $250, 000 from Ash.

Gibson was not required to plead to the charges.

He was granted bail of $40,000 with two sureties.

The case was adjourned until October 3, but prior to that Gibson will return to court in September for a constitutional challenge to the Bail Act, his attorney Wayne Munroe QC told reporters.

Last month, former Environment and Housing Minister Kenred Dorsett was charged with using his former ministerial position to extort and solicit $120,000 in bribes from the same Ash at the centre of Gibson’s charges.

Former PLP Senator Frank Smith has also been slapped with 15 criminal charges relating to solicitation of $$65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have assisted in getting a contract.

6 Responses to “Former Bahamas Labour Minister on bribery charges”

  • rewrsdffds (04/08/2017, 19:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    bvi next
  • wize up (04/08/2017, 20:26) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    only here political misconduct goes unpunished and I am saying there was political misconduct in the halls of the virgin islands political party and such misconduct continues: after all the talking and finger pointing not one of our leader have enough balls to move a motion that will send themselves to the jail house(run go chat that)...........all aspiring and current leaders need new legislation because those 1960s laws have far to many loop-holes for these modern-day scholar to jump though; but you will never see the laws change: the tax laws will quicker change and work permit fees will quicker before we see a serious code of conduct for the political leadership in the BVI......
  • rattie (05/08/2017, 07:13) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Hope the new governor sees this and address the bvi
  • de silent one (10/08/2017, 21:38) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    It won't happen here because there won't be a successful investigation done. There would be too much leaked information as it relates to the investigation and somebody would have it stop immediately. SAD!
  • chad (11/08/2017, 11:10) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    only we in the BVI CANNOT lock up any one
    • Leaveourpeoplealone (15/08/2017, 11:30) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      What you want to lock them up for? Go lock up the UK for enslaving our ancestors first. Go lock up those who are thiefing our lands clandestinely. Leave our men alone. They love the BVI far more than those who are behind the mask trying to colonize us again. Learn your history. Mine Eh!


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