Trumped up corruption charges in Turks and Caicos cause government to collapse

Michael Misick, the former premier of Turks and Caicos Islands, has been recently cleared of two of the several criminal charges against him, including charges of rape. Still pending are corruption charges being pursued against Misick, alleging that Misick personally financially gained from Crown land sales to foreign developers during his term.

Also in the hot seat are the several resort developers who stand accused of related corruption charges for allegedly bribing Misick and other public officials for favorable Crown land deals.

To say that developers bribed public officials pushes boundaries of decency and gross misinformation. All signs and evidence point to the same truth, that there was no bribery.

First there is the assertion that developers seeking crown land bribed public officials for favorable treatment. Let's explore the Crown land bribery claim.

In fact these developers were shamelessly wooed by Misick and his administration to invest in Turks and Caicos. Whether or not anyone personally agrees with Michael Misick and his personal life, most all can agree that he is a master salesman and promoter, particularly in real estate. His career outside of politics has continuously been real estate and real estate investments.

Misick spent an extraordinary amount of focus in bringing in high-end foreign developers to invest in Turks and Caicos. Misick's foreign investment recruitment alone and promotion thereof, shows Misick's genius.

It is no secret that Misick used his Hollywood connections through his actress wife Lisa-Ray, to rub elbows with the Hollywood elite which he admits gave him credibility with high-end foreign resort developers. And bring the celebrities Misick did.

A huge development and celebrity boom in the islands was enjoyed by Turks and Caicos during Misick's administration. Turks and Caicos went from being a little known scuba enthusiast holiday destination to a playground for the rich and famous. Misick takes credit for the economic boom, development, investments and publicity of the islands.

Upon UK's investigation of purported wrong-doing by Misick, it was stated at the time of Misick's resignation that his Hollywood lifestyle was necessary and

"... allowed him to court high-end developers and helped put the British territory on the mape he took office, the gross domestic product in the territory of 22,000 people has more than doubled to $750 million — largely through a resort-building boom."

This is proof positive that Misick was the one who went after resort developers, not the other way around. What's more is that resort developers were given many incentives to invest in Turks and Caicos, including Belongership status which allowed them to purchase Crown land and other inducements that included speedy infrastructure permits.

Second there is the misnomer that Crown land is for use for Belongers alone. According to the Crown Land Policy, commercial land development is one of the main purposes of Crown land use and sale. The Crown Land Policy is formulated to "attract investments judged best for the interest of TCI [Turks and Caicos Islands]."

Crown land is specifically intentioned for businesses and development, according to Turks and Caicos' policies. In fact according to the law in Turks and Caicos, "There are no restrictions on foreign investment and the government has a very successful open-arms inward investment policy."

Why resort developers are being caught in the fray of the unsubstantiated claims of bribery should be a crime. Not only are these developers unfairly judged, the international investment community is staying far away from the foreseen entrapment of Turks and Caicos' political finger pointing.

It is well documented that resort developers did not bribe the Misick administration. If anything the Misick administration bribed them as admitted by Misick himself. The campaign contributions in questions were not bribes. How could they be? The contributions were made 3 weeks prior the election. Why would someone bribe a person who may or may not be in office in 3 weeks? It is ridiculous. It's called a campaign contribution pure and simple. Turks and Caicos is now clamoring to restore confidence in investors, create jobs and promote tourism.

Certainly Turks and Caicos' investment climate is shaky at best with several high-end resort closures. It's time to promote a renewed confidence within the international community of not only investment safety but for tourism as well.

For background on UK's direct rule, read: www://tciwatch.com http://bermudaisanotherworld.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=1021.0