MONDAY McCombo of the
Day
i’m lovin’ it!
HIGH 81ºF LOW 70ºF
The Tribune Established 1903
24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM
Biggest And Best!
VOLUME:117 No.59, FEBRUARY 17TH, 2020
HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
SPORT: HIELD THE CHAMP IN NBA 3-POINT CONTEST
PAGES
HOME
Fallout from Nygard rape and corruption allegations
Fact or fiction? ‘We have a duty to investigate these claims’ SECURITY MINISTER MARVIN DAMES
‘It’s a salacious story against PLP. There’s no truth’ PARTY CHAIRMAN FRED MITCHELL By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said police will investigate claims that Peter Nygard concealed his alleged sexual crimes by bribing local law enforcement officials, saying the country’s reputation is at risk. His comment came as sources told The Tribune police are still probing complaints women made in July about Mr Nygard. The fashion mogul made headlines around the world last week after it was alleged in a US lawsuit that he raped ten women, including nine Bahamians, and covered
it up through payoffs and intimidation tactics. The lawsuit portrays The Bahamas as a country where corruption is so pervasive and sexual crimes treated so lightly that the former Lyford Cay resident successfully evaded accountability for his alleged acts. Mr Dames told The Tribune: “Those are some serious allegations being made and I am certain the police would want to follow up on them to determine exactly whether there is any validity to them. We have an obligation to do so. Anytime you have allegations of that nature being SEE PAGE THREE
MAGIC MAN DAVID COPPERFIELD IN DEAD BODY FIGHT OVER $2M PROPERTY TAX BILL FOUND IN
RUBBISH BIN
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net MAGICIAN David Copperfield has defeated the government’s bid to obtain a summary judgment in its $2m-plus real property tax dispute involving his private Exuma resort destination. Justice Ian Winder ruled that Mr Copperfield, described by Forbes magazine as the most commercially successful magician in history, faces a “hard road” but said the Treasurer’s claim for nine years’ worth of allegedly outstanding taxes was not impregnable “in the circumstances of this case”. The government, through the Treasurer, had sought a summary judgment on the basis that Mr Copperfield’s Imagine Nation Company had no viable defence to its claim. The magician, though, alleged he received “oral” assurances from the “then-prime minister” that real property tax breaks and other concessions would be extended to additional islands he acquired if certain conditions were fulfilled. The
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
MAGICIAN David Copperfield identity of the “then-prime minister” is not revealed in the Supreme Court judgment, but it can only be one of Perry Christie or Hubert Ingraham. Given that Mr Copperfield acquired the two islands at the centre of the dispute on July 13, 2006, the same date as he bought his principal property of Musha Cay, it is likely to be a reference to Mr Christie. Mr Copperfield and the government eventually agreed an amended Hotels Encouragement Act agreement on February 26, 2016, which extended the real property tax breaks to the two islands. However, the Treasurer is claiming that this exemption was not
made retroactive by the government’s National Economic Council, and that taxes from early 2016 back to 2007 remain due and owing. However, rejecting the Treasurer’s bid for a quick victory, Justice Winder ruled: “While I think the road ahead for the defendant is a hard one, I am not prepared to conclude there is no defence to the claim. The defendant’s case is that representations were made by the executive, specifically the then-Prime Minister, that the exemptions would be extended on certain terms which it says has been fulfilled.” FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
GRAND Bahama police made a gruesome discovery on Friday when the body of a missing man was discovered stuffed inside a bin at a home in the Lewis Yard area. The discovery was made shortly after 6pm on Friday. Meanwhile police in New Providence are investigating another homicide, after a man was fatally stabbed early yesterday. SEE PAGE TWO
INSIGHT MINNIS NEEDS SOME OTHER SECRET DEALS TO PULL THIS OFF SEE PAGE NINE