NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Distancing himself from former Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard, who stands to face federal sex trafficking charges, Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis said yesterday that had any complaint been made to authorities while he was deputy prime minister, a police investigation would have been immediately launched.
During a press conference at the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) headquarters, Davis said as a father and as a Bahamian he was appalled by the allegations, which he called the “most horrific crimes against women”.
“I want to be clear, as a father of daughters, as a Bahamian, I am appalled by these very serious charges,” the PLP leader said.
“Peter Nygard contributed to both political parties, to many charitable causes here and to regattas across the country.
“Those contributions do not in any way excuse his behavior, but nor are the many recipients of his contributions responsible for his behavior.
“At no time during my tenure as deputy prime minister was there ever a criminal complaint made to the Bahamian police about the matters he is now charged with.
“Had there been, an investigation would [have] been launched immediately.
“In fact, to my knowledge, the first time any complaint of this nature was brought to the police was in July of 2019 under the watch of the FNM (Free National Movement).
“The FNM themselves got mixed up in a feud between two billionaires who hated each other…”
Last December, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle confirmed Nygard was “never” interviewed by local police regarding sexual allegations against him.
In court filings, Davis was named as someone who was “close” with Nygard when he served as deputy prime minister.
The affidavit alleges that Nygard “regularly met with him and paid bribes to him and his political aides”.
It further claims: “Davis allegedly introduced Nygard to known Bahamian gangsters and convicted criminals, Livingston ‘Toogie’ Bullard and Wisler ‘Bobo’ Davilma. Nygard paid ‘Toogie’ and ‘Bobo’ with funds from the Nygard Companies to intimidate anyone who spoke out against him or his initiatives by, among other means, directing them to firebomb his detractors’ vehicles and/or businesses, instructing them to threaten to kill those who oppose him and commit other acts of violence and intimidation.”
Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg, Canada, in December, 2020, after federal prosecutors accused him of a more than two-decades-long string of criminal conduct involving racketeering, sex trafficking and other crimes against women and minors.
A nine-count unsealed indictment outlined alleged crimes stemming from The Bahamas, Canada, New York and elsewhere.
Nygard was charged with using fraud, force and coercion to cause “at least dozens” of adult and minor-aged girls to engage in commercial sex acts for his gratification, and on occasion those of his personal friends and business associates.
