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$2.5M Delta Capital Ltd investment: Bishop Cline wants answers

- said Arnold J. Ainsley is the 'fall guy'
Former interim president of the National Democratic Party, Bishop John I. Cline, has demanded greater transparency from the Virgin Islands Government over the investment of US$2.5 million in financial institution Delta Capital Partners Limited in Jamaica. Photo: Facebook
According to reports, the investment involved two payments US$1 million in July 2022 and US$1.5 million in November 2022. The Premier said he became aware of the investment on April 29, 2026. Photo: Internet Source/ file
According to reports, the investment involved two payments US$1 million in July 2022 and US$1.5 million in November 2022. The Premier said he became aware of the investment on April 29, 2026. Photo: Internet Source/ file
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the investment was made without his knowledge or approval and that the required financial procedures were not followed. The transaction is currently the subject of investigations by the Financial Investigation Agency and the government’s Internal Audit Department. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the investment was made without his knowledge or approval and that the required financial procedures were not followed. The transaction is currently the subject of investigations by the Financial Investigation Agency and the government’s Internal Audit Department. Photo: VINO/File
The investment into Delta Capital Partners Limited was made by former Accountant General Arnold J. Ainsley, who is no longer in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS
The investment into Delta Capital Partners Limited was made by former Accountant General Arnold J. Ainsley, who is no longer in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS
CANE GARDEN BAY, Tortola, VI — Former Interim President of the National Democratic Party, Bishop John I. Cline, has demanded greater transparency from the Virgin Islands Government over the investment of US$2.5 million in financial institution Delta Capital Partners Limited in Jamaica.

Speaking during a Facebook Live on Thursday, August 6, 2026, Cline questioned why former Accountant General Arnold J. Ainsley appeared to be bearing primary responsibility for the transaction while the Financial Secretary had not publicly addressed the matter.

“Ainsley is not here to give any statement, answer for himself, defend himself, confirm, or deny the Premier’s statement,” Cline said. “So, as far as I’m concerned, he’s the fall guy, the one who gets thrown under the bus.”

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley has said the investment was made without his knowledge or approval and that the required financial procedures were not followed. The transaction is currently the subject of investigations by the Financial Investigation Agency and the government’s Internal Audit Department. 

Two investments were made 

According to reports, the investment involved two payments: US$1 million in July 2022 and US$1.5 million in November 2022. The Premier said he became aware of the investment on April 29, 2026. 

Cline argued that the size of the investment made it difficult to accept that senior officials responsible for managing the territory’s finances had no knowledge of the transaction.

“We’re talking about $2.5 million. We’re not talking about $250,000,” he said. “Any clear-thinking, prudent, business-oriented person knows that the person in charge of the purse has to have some knowledge of $2.5 million going missing out of the Treasury.”

FS needs to explain

He called on the Financial Secretary to publicly explain what happened to the funds and rejected the Premier’s repeated assertion that he was unaware of the investment.

“It is almost insulting for the Premier to come and say to us that he doesn’t know that the money was invested,” Cline said. 

The former NDP leader also linked the Delta Capital matter to the controversy surrounding a separate US$5 million government deposit in the now-defunct Bank of Asia. He said the Premier had similarly claimed that the Bank of Asia transaction was made without his approval.

“Now, $2.5 million has gone missing to Delta Capital, and you claim that it was done without approval,” Cline said. “The Premier seems to think that because he can say, ‘I don’t know,’ we should somehow accept that $7.5 million of public money is unaccounted for.”

Questioned due diligence 

Cline further questioned whether adequate due diligence was conducted before the Delta Capital investment was approved. 

Delta Capital has been connected to Jamaica’s wider investigation into the collapse of Stocks and Securities Limited, the investment firm associated with allegations involving the accounts of several clients, including retired Jamaican sprinter Usain St Leo Bolt. 

Jamaican authorities have charged Delta Capital and other individuals and companies with alleged breaches of financial and securities laws. The allegations remain before the courts and have not been proven. 

He said the government’s financial officials had a responsibility to ensure that public funds remained liquid, that the territory’s bills were paid, and that any investment represented a sound and properly assessed risk. 

“Somebody has to do their due diligence,” Cline said. “We must look like a bunch of idiots to the Premier for him to come and say to us that he didn’t know the money was being invested.”

The government has said the investigations are intended to determine how the investment was made outside the required approval process and whether the funds can be recovered. 

Meanwhile, the matter is being investigated by the Financial Investigation Agency (FIA). The Premier has also requested that the Internal Audit Department conduct investigations. 

31 Responses to “$2.5M Delta Capital Ltd investment: Bishop Cline wants answers”

  • Greedy man (06/08/2026, 11:48) Like (15) Dislike (15) Reply
    He behind mark to come back he looking power to get his hands on our treasury SAY NO TO JOHN
  • Only Angels (06/08/2026, 12:00) Like (48) Dislike (1) Reply
    The better question to ask is - if the Minister of Finance has no knowledge of these significant "investments" then who is paying attention to the much smaller "payments" that the government of these Virgin Islands are routinely making. Because if nobody is watching the big stuff then we are probably in a bigger hole than we could ever imagine!
  • BRAD BOYNES (06/08/2026, 13:42) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    This case is sickening. Sickening to he point where I want to slap somebody in charge of the finances of this country..
  • Macky (06/08/2026, 13:53) Like (26) Dislike (1) Reply
    Not Cline alone. We all want answers. And someone Must be held to account. Either the FS or the Premier. One of them is going to have to fall on the sword. If the FS can't handle the role, then they have to go. Thank you for yiur service but we have to make a change. If the FS can prove that he did the due diligence and passed the info to the premier who approved this, then unfortunately it will be the premier who has to face the repercussions of this debacle and continued fumbling of our national purse.
  • BuzzBvi (06/08/2026, 14:04) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can you imagine all the small payments going into friends and relatives pockets. Nevermind the oversized pockets the HOA13 have had made for their clothes!!

    INDEPENDENCE!!! HAHAHA.

    We all know what the greedy politicians have in mind for Independence. Looking after the rest of us is not it.
  • Fed Up! (06/08/2026, 15:41) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's a wonder how all these events are only now coming to light, govt up and down wasting money on parties and trips and the other necessity of life that we need looked into like water, price control and other matters just to name a few, on the back burner, I will not be voting come next election, and others have said the same, look at the state of the roads, they are very bad, and every minute you got to buy tires, or parts for your vehicle, everything so expensive, as you get paid, money done. Who is going to address these matters and stop blaming others who were in before you, yes they might have something to do with things but you are the ones in charge now try help the people.
  • A Capitalist Who Loves the BVI (06/08/2026, 15:50) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cline is often insufferable, but he has this one right. What is the deal with Ainsley? Was he fired, or did he resign? Cindy has a great piece on the Bank of Asia debacle (a number of them, actually), https://www.gbmediahouse.com/Articles/Article/4141/Cover-up-By-Premier-In-Bank-of-Asia-Saga and this most recent transaction seems to fall within a pattern of the Premier knowing nothing.

    Why isn't Ainsley being compelled to attend a deposition on this as well as the Bank of Asia disaster? Why hasn't there been an indictment of the latter item was illegal?
  • Schups (06/08/2026, 16:30) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
    So, nobody wants answers regarding the $7.2million paid to an airline that didn't fly once? I want answers to ALL, not just the ones that impact my political enemies. Cline and Co. are frauds!
    • @Schups (07/08/2026, 21:37) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      The government won the case. There was no underneath deal. It was an investment that went bad. Very much different to what we're seeing now and we need answers. Do you have any?
      • BRAD BOYNES (08/08/2026, 08:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@Schups....some one was paid in that Airline debacle of a deal investment. Look a gift horse in the mouth. None in that house of Assembly and none in this house of Assembly have INTEGRITY like me. NONE.
        • @Brad Boynes (08/08/2026, 12:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          why wasn't it brought up in court. Pretty much certain that it would have been detected in various areas during audits and the court. Ad I do not recall any of the Ministers dragging their feet for the matter not to go to court. It went full speed.
  • Millions (06/08/2026, 16:40) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Millions and millions and may be more who knows. Truth be told 7.5 million went before did we recover it? Now 5 million and 2.5 million add up to the same is there a coincidence with the figures and both under with governments. Who will recover all those millions. Pay close attention to those figures. Who to blame Who to blame somebody to blame. Since Mr. Premier don't know then Be careful with signature on file. let the investigation take it's process. Revelation time will come everything is a matter of timing. While we need investment I'm not knocking that I'm going to knock our people needed that money invented in the territory. People are crying out loud daily, infrastructure may the God of the universe help us all.
  • WHAT!!! (06/08/2026, 17:37) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all need answers and to see someone prosecuted for theft.
  • ? (06/08/2026, 17:57) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Be careful Sir. Don't throw stones in glass houses.
  • AI (06/08/2026, 18:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That Money góne to obeah man Too, so who cant see from the African Man from the former premier you all are out of it
  • musa (06/08/2026, 19:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who ever responsable the voters have a master plan .
  • Capital One (06/08/2026, 20:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The public has a pretty good idea of who STOLE the money from treasury and they are bold faced with it coming to you the public for you know WHAT.
  • Every wrong (06/08/2026, 20:37) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    All who in charge need to be held accoubtable for every wrong regardless of the political party. We like to say why not ralk about what the other one do. Let us address all wrong doing no matter who do it.

    Question - who is to say there aren't other undiagnosed and undetected funds into other investments or fake banks? Will we ever know the truth?
  • pat (06/08/2026, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    John needs to go sit down just by following Marlon it tells he got no credibility
    • @ pat (07/08/2026, 19:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Marlon may have a lot more credibility then others. Time will tell next election. Any one who planning to go run against marlon don't waste your money for you will not unseat him. Say I say so think hard and long. He will ever be a champion in the 8th.
  • u (06/08/2026, 21:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why this man doesn't address the gun issue?
  • nn (06/08/2026, 22:34) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not a big fan of this pastor, but he is speaking the truth about the situation. Our leader took us for fools. We elected him to be the guardian of our money, and the only explanation he can give us is that he did not know anything. I see some fish suffocating in the seaweed .......
  • Just Sayin' (07/08/2026, 10:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes Sir. You are absolutly spot on here.....one thing though, it wasn't the current Prem in place when Delta capital happened which opens up a load more questions.

    But, yes as previous messages said, if they " don't know" where the big money is going, then how can they say they have full control on where the smaller stuff goes.
    In the words of Shaggy...." wasn't me" !

  • HEY ITS JUST WAY IT IS (07/08/2026, 21:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    IT HAD TO GET EXPOSED SOONER OR LATER , THIS AIN'T ANYTHING NEW , WE ALL KNOW ITS JUST ANOTHER VERSION OF THE RODEO GAMES - JUST LIKE THE RENTALS OF PROPERTIES INSTEAD OF COMPLETING REPAIRS OF THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS THAT CONTINUES EVERY YEAR AND CANNOT BE COMPLETED THAT IS ANOTHER ONE THATS BEING PLAYED ON US BY THESE SETS OF WANNABE SOPHISTICATED ARISTOCRATS , WHO FEEL THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE BUT THOSE WHO IS BENIFFITING AIN'T SAYING A SINGLE THING ( THE SILENCE US DEAFENING ) AS THEY COLLECT THE DOLLARS PEACEFULLY WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACES ~ MORE TO YA'AL PLAYERZ .
  • HE LIE (07/08/2026, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We want to hear the Hon. premier say he did not sign a warrant to make payment.
    • @HE LIE (08/08/2026, 12:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Me too because Andrew wasn't here when it was done. Who to blame? The FS suddenly retiring but he needs to be questioned before he leaves. Mrs. Webster you still there. Let's get that audit going. They using tax-payers money like they drinking water.
  • Judy (08/08/2026, 10:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    our place is the only place where tax payers money is mismanaged and no one end up in HMP but you go to HMP just for joint of high grade
  • FACIAL EXPRESSION (08/08/2026, 17:03) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The BISHOP , IS SAYING ) > I AIN'T SAVING SEEDS ANYMORE , AH LOOKING RAW CASH TO SAVE NOW , SO NAT-AL-EO AM HOLLERING OUT AT YOU TO REMEMBER YO BOI AN THROW L AH COUPLE THOUZ AT YOURS TRULY AN I CAN SAY A LIL PRAYER FOR SOM GOOD LUK 4 U IN DE NEX ELECTION , U GINE NEED IT .
  • time will tell (12/08/2026, 13:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What I don't understand is why the PAC never seems to function when it needs to. Is the Leader of the Opposition and head of the Bishop's party not the head of this very important committee? Why come out and ask publicly? There is another reason for asking this in a public forum. Pure politics. They just ALL feel that WE are DUMB!! However, in a few months we will fix it!!


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