Customs Boss Wade N. Smith sues Gov’t over being sent on leave!
On Thursday, August 18, 2022, Mr Smith was sent on administrative leave which took effect from 5:00 pm the same day, however, the reasons for the leave are unknown.
The Commission of Inquiry report written by retired one-man British Judge Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom found no corruption in the Customs Department under Mr Smith's leadership.
In the first Judicial Review (JR) hearing that took place on Thursday, November 3, 2022, the Attorney General Chambers represented the Human Resources Director.
The JR is to answer the question as to the reasons why Mr Smith was sent on Administrative leave. According to information obtained by our newsroom, no formal reason was given to Mr Smith for being sent home, only that the Government has the right to send officers on leave as prescribed in its General Orders and policies.
Another loss for the Government
In the first blow against the Government, the learned Judge Heather Felix-Evans found compelling cause for the JR to move forward and that the Human Resources Director’s action in placing Mr Smith on leave without explanation was ultra vires, and a breach of natural justice and unreasonableness.
Mr Smith never appeared before the Public Service Commission on this matter of administrative leave. It is our understanding that there has been no objection from the Attorney Nicosie Dummett representing the Attorney General in the first hearing on the JR.
The next step is for a fixed claim form to be filed by Attorney Williams operating via Chase Law and Co. The JR matter against the Government is set for further hearing in early January 2023, according to court records.
Many residents believe that sending home Mr Smith on Administrative Leave was alleged revenge against Mr Smith for exposing corruption in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Double standards & Racism?
It was the Customs Department that exposed human smuggling in the police force in an incident between Tortola and St Thomas using the police boat in regard to a visitor who was seeking employment in the force, along with the reported police bar hoping scandal involving UK Officers using a police boat to go from bar to bar to drink on the cays.
Police Commissioner Mark Collins claimed that there was no bar hopping but instead there was a “police operation”. Comptroller Smith debunk that notion saying if there was an operation at sea his department would have been involved.
To date, no actions have been taken for those transgressions and no one has been sent on leave.
Mr Collins is still on his job after he allegedly released what many described as a racist and offensive video depicting the Territory as a crime-infested place. Mr Collins said it was a recruiting video, despite outrage from the public and the National Unity Government.
His boss, the controversial Governor John J. Rankin, defended Mr Collins saying there was no Breach of Trust when asked by the media about the double standards.
The police force is under the portfolio of Governor Rankin and they have used taxpayer's funds to hire more and more UK Officers while reportedly denying many locals and long-serving police officers promotions.
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54 Responses to “Customs Boss Wade N. Smith sues Gov’t over being sent on leave!”
But Mika Barry said ***** government official one ???
This could never happen where I’m from
And uk full ah problem and bring the same badmindd here
Many lower ranks gets no promotion even after taking the weak exams
There is an active investigation/s into ****** and it's ******. But with all the Dope money, him still ah study about Customs job lol......LMFAO
AH U DUZ COMMUNICATE USING BSIGN LANGUAGE , CAN U TEACH US SO WE CAN ASK HIM , IF HE'S ON MEDICATION , AND IF ITS YES THEN ADVISE HIM TO GET A SECOND OPINION
Mika Barry is not UK or Police. It's our own spewing hatred to satisfy his and others own ego.
Corruption is a continuing hindrance against peace.
As read: "Customs Boss Wade N. Smith Sues government Over Been Sent On Leave!
This is a very interesting issue. We are eager to get to know more, and where this is heading, and the full outcome, as soon as possible.
Stay tuned in. Much more to be revealed on this critical issue of public interest.
I guess once you white you are right
I guess once you black stay back
Comrade Smith dont matter what the crisis is, stand firm
WE WILL NOT BE FOOL THIS TIME WE ARE STICKING WITH OUR PEOPLE NEVER AGAIN ARE WE SELLING OUT COUNTRY TO THE WHITE MAN
He is a former U.S customs agent (retired fed).
He was then reinstated not only as commissioner of customs but the HEAD of the joint task force (boss of police customs and immigration) He held all branches of law enforcement accountable (police wrong doings like human trafficking) He then stood up to a billion dollar predominantly white owned industry (keeping them compliant through fines that I think was very offensive to them) Now he once again stood up to the master and took them to court. What a relentless and to them, defiant little bugger. BVI, just what if he is actually innocent?? Hmm wouldn’t that be a thing to tell the king. Maybe, just maybe someone or some group is strategically trying to defame us for the purpose of ultimate control. With the leadership crisis we’re facing I say we support BvI.