NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Opposition Leader Michael C. Pintard has sharply criticized the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Fred Mitchell’s characterization of a $1.6 billion judgment in favor of the original Baha Mar developer by a U.S. court.
Pintard described the ruling as another international embarrassment for The Bahamas under the current administration, but Mitchell described it as “seeking to tell a narrative which does not line up with the facts.”
In a statement issued Wednesday, Pintard said the reputation of The Bahamas is not a priority to the governing party.
He further condemned the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) statement as a “lame and empty non-response.”
In contrast to the OPM’s stance, Mitchell released his own statement dismissing the allegations of corruption. and criticizing the original Baha Mar developer.
According to Pintard, Mitchell’s actions show a disregard for Prime Minister Philip Davis’s leadership.
“Fred Mitchell is typically out of control and acts as if he is the actual Prime Minister,” Pintard remarked.
He went on to label Mitchell’s comments as “silly, nonsensical, and comical,” accusing him of ignoring facts and undermining international investor confidence.
“His reckless comments send a further warning sign to international investors to be careful in dealing with a PLP government,” Pintard said.
“Within hours of OPM’s statement, Chairman Mitchell rudely and arrogantly ignored a direction from the prime minister.”
He suggested that the PLP has no genuine intention of investigating corruption related to the Baha Mar ruling.
“The Opposition does not have faith in an investigation done by Attorney General Ryan Pinder, who sat in the PLP Cabinet when officials in the Perry Christie Administration were colluding with a new investor to oust the original investor at Baha Mar,” the FNM leader continued.
Pintard called for an independent investigation, warning that without it, the latest corruption allegations would likely be “swept under a large, worn-out rug.”
