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RBC Royal Bank proud to sponsor inaugural Turks and Caicos International Film Festival

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#Providenciales, July 24, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – RBC Royal Bank is proud to be a lead sponsor of the inaugural Turks and Caicos International Film Festival (TCIFF), taking place from November 15 to 17.

One of the pillars of the TCIFF is its outreach programmes designed to support students in TCI by connecting them with workshops, tutorials, and networking opportunities with filmmakers and conservationists.  A key objective of the TCIFF is to shine a light on environmental issues facing the Caribbean region, and the world, in hopes of bringing about change and responsible environmental stewardship.

Giving students these opportunities is a principal element of RBC’s flagship youth education programme, RBC Future Launch – a programme that works with local stakeholders in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean to prepare our youth for the new jobs of tomorrow and the future world of work.

Photo Caption: RBC executives meet with the organizers and leaders of the TCIFF in Providenciales. RBC is a lead sponsor of the festival, taking place later this year in November.

Included in the attached photo (from left to right) are: Marcus Samuel, Country Head and Branch Manager, Turks & Caicos Islands; Kim Mortimer, Outreach Coordinator; Colin Burrows, Festival Director TCIFF; Michelle Mahony, Chairperson TCIFF; Ken Patterson, Board Member TCIFF/Seven Stars Resort & Spa; Karen Whitt, Board Member TCIFF/Hartling Group; and, Kevin Darling, VP Business Banking, RBC Caribbean Banking.

RBC representatives are available to speak with media regarding this photo release.  For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Andrew McGrath | Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

Royal Bank of Canada | Toronto, Ontario

Phone: 416-974-3749 | Email: andrew.mcgrath@rbc.com

About RBC in the Caribbean

With more than 110 years of dedicated service to the region, RBC has a presence in 17 countries and territories, with 60 branches and over 3,500 employees serving more than one million clients.  As one of the Caribbean’s leading diversified financial services companies, RBC provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, insurance and trust and asset management services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations and governments. For more information, please visit rbc.com/caribbean.

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance.  Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper.   As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 33 other countries.  Learn more at rbc.com.

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability.

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Crime

North Caicos man admits Guilt to Cocaine and Marijuana

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Wilkie Arthur 

Freelance Court Correspondent

Monday, March 25th, 2024, in the Magistrate’s Court before Her Honor the Acting Resident Magistrate Ms. Patricia Arana, from the Grand Turk Magistrate Court via video link, the following matters were called:

North Caicos man #1 DYRON FULFORD pleaded guilty to two of three charges in relation to the cocaine and marijuana he was found with at Bellefield Landing in Kew, North Caicos on Valentine’s Day of 2024.

After the Crown had laid out the facts surrounding the case to the learned Resident Magistrate, and when he was asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he said “I would like if you can probation me or give me reasonable fine and I’m saying sorry for getting into this trouble.”

The cocaine was eight grams with a street value of $80.00. The weed was 4,689 grams with a street value of $4,680.00. 

One final charge was read to the accused Fulford, and that is of intent to supply the large quantity of cannabis taken from him by police Superintendent Dean Holden in an undercover sting operation on the Island of North Caicos. 

The Crown may withdraw the intent to distribute the weed charge or proceed with a trial on that count alone following the sentencing of Fulford.

His sentencing for the guilty pleas is adjourned to next month.

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TCI News

Setting Bad Precedent or Unfair Administration of the Law? Same Sex decision ignites public debate

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Garfield Ekon

Staff Writer

Former premier Michael Misick has levelled fraud assertions against his former employee, Richard Sankar who was successful in a court case challenging his Turks and Caicos (TCI) Islander status.

The case was decided in Sankar’s favour in 2021, and the former Premier is now saying the man, a Real Estate Broker, who once worked for his family real estate business, married a woman for Islander status, and never consummated it, then married a man to give him status. 

Sankar and his spouse, Timothy Haymon won a claim for his same-sex partner to work in the Islands, in line with permissions granted under the TCI Constitution. That landmark ruling was handed down by Justice Anthony Gruchot on March 12, 2024 upholding his partner’s right to work in the TCI, as typically provided for heterosexual spouses. 

Hour after news of the ruling broke, Misick took to his official social media page to blast the Real Estate Broker. The former Premier called on the Government to revoke Sankar’s Turks and Caicos Islander status, claiming that it was obtained by fraud.

“I further call on the Government, after revoking Richard Sankar status, to have him deported never to set foot in our country again. This is making a mockery of our system and country. Deem him to be persona non grata,” the former premier stated. 

In a response, Sankar through his attorney Tim Prudhoe, said the claims, stating that he married the local woman in 2008 and their divorce became final in 2020. 

He stated: “At no stage during that period up-to-any, including the Decree Absolute, was any evidence presented either by or on behalf of my then wife that the marriage was not valid or somehow otherwise void.”

Sankar further added that prior to his marriage, in the first half of 2005, he had applied for a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC) based on the then requirement of five continuous years of work permits.

“That application was never decided.  Its existence at all was not even acknowledged on behalf of TCIG until 2021.”

Sankar also exposed in his statement, that during 2007, when Michael Misick was premier, he was “placed on the Stop List (a power of the Director of Immigration, then Desmond Wilson).  Thus, preventing my re-entry to the jurisdiction.  No reason has ever been given as to why Part VI (Sections 59-60) of the Immigration Ordinance was used to so designate me.”

Sankar admits that he married a Turks and Caicos woman in 2008, once he returned to the islands having been removed from the Stop List.

In May 2021, Sankar says he finally managed to secure his Turks and Caicos Islander status and had hoped to understand, “how an employment disagreement with a powerful family of Turks and Caicos Islanders could ever be used for the purposes of the Stop List.”

That matter remains in court and pending, according to Sankar.

While Michael Misick remains resolute that, “If this is allowed to stand as it is setting a terrible precedent that anyone can become married through fraud and then get a status and divorce a Turks and Caicos Islander and marry someone else and pass it on to them.”

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Crime

Avalanche of Armed Robberies, Residents on Edge

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Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

Since the start of 2024, a rolling avalanche of robberies in the country has put residents on edge. Now the unknown robbers are staking out people’s homes following them home, which locals say is adding to the fear felt by law-abiding citizens.

A serious spike in robbery reports shared by the police was observed in March. Since the 8th of the month, police have confirmed back-to-back robberies, often with a new victim being hit several nights in a row.

On March 22nd police revealed three back-to-back attacks by armed men; one in the Lower Bight on March 21 around 9 p.m., where a man was robbed of his car and other valuables. Two more were recorded on March 22 at 1:56 and 3:28 a.m. respectively; the first in Kew Town where a man was followed home and robbed; and the second where a man was robbed at his home, both committed by four armed men. 

On March 15 police again revealed that a man was robbed by two males in Kew Town after midnight and a woman robbed by four men less than two hours later. 

On March 14 three armed men robbed a Crockpot kitchen on Leeward Highway. The day before that two armed men robbed Gabriel’s restaurant located along Airport Road around 9:38 pm.

On March 12 police confirmed the 10 a.m. robbery of a woman at a gaming lounge; that incident followed the March 11 holdup on another woman at gunpoint. Before both of those was a robbery at 2:45 a.m. the Friday prior when a man was accosted near Dock Yard by five armed men

“Sounds like a SAS unit needs a vacation” said one resident on the most recent robbery post shared by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police, highlighting the frequency of the reports.

With the increasing random hits, residents are antsy and some want more personal protective measures. 

Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Superintendent Dean Holden has advised, “In light of recent incidents in Providenciales, I wish to emphasize the importance of staying aware of your surroundings and taking the necessary precautions to ensure personal safety. 

“If you believe you are being followed, please do not panic. Remain calm and drive to a well-lit, populated area or the nearest police station. It’s crucial to avoid stopping in isolated or poorly lit areas or driving home. 

“Immediately dial 911 and, if possible, try to obtain a description of the vehicle following you and its license plate number. Above all, prioritise personal safety. I want to assure the public that the RTCIPF is actively monitoring the situation and remains committed to ensuring all citizens’ safety and security.” 

Residents are asking, “So when are you guys going to legalize tasers? Pepper spray for public use?” One asked. A different resident took it even further “Why don’t they give law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms?” He questioned. 

Others wanted more proactive measures like the removal of vegetation in which criminals are known to hide in wait for their victims.

At least one suspect has been held regarding stolen property, Demetrie Williams, 32, of South Caicos. He was remanded in custody following a court appearance on March 15 two days after he was allegedly caught handling stolen goods. 

So far police have not managed to sniff out the armed thieves though it was said, the RTCIPF are actively investigating three armed robberies.

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