News
TCI Senior Prosecutor under fire
By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm
Editorial Staff
#TurksandCaicos, August 4, 2022 – Residents of the Turks and Caicos are concerned after a Jamaican media house broke the news that a prosecutor employed to the Turks and Caicos Islands Judiciary is facing major charges against her character in her native Jamaica, but Director of Public Prosecutions Eugene Otuonye says the judiciary is on top of it.
DPP Otuonye spoke to Magnetic Media on Tuesday to reassure Islanders the case is being reviewed at the highest levels of the judiciary including the Attorney General and Chief Justice to determine how it will affect Sophia Thomas’s tenure in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Thomas is currently senior public prosecutor in the Office of the DPP.
“We are considering that decision and its implications for her employment as a public officer with TCIG and her professional standing as a Prosecutor and an Attorney. The decision taken by the relevant TCI authorities will be communicated in the normal way.” He said, noting that the review process is a fast moving one.
The Jamaica Gleaner has reported that in a verdict handed down on Friday, Sophia Thomas became the first Jamaican prosecutor in history to be found guilty of professional misconduct.
Thomas was found to have violated the canons of professional ethics during a 2017 fraud case which had to be thrown out because of the mix-up.
But Thomas’s attorney, to Magnetic Media described the case as not due to her own ignorance and maintains that she has a strong case for appeal.
Hugh Wildman informed, not only does he have concerns about the level of expertise of the lawyers in the case, he says his client was declared guilty before proceedings were even over.
“The chairman of the panel, Ms. Small, invited me to make a mitigation plea when the case was not yet finished.” He explained
Accused individuals found innocent do not need a mitigation plea. When she was reminded that the case was not finished, Small reportedly apologized profusely.
He says the idea that any of the attorneys hearing the case could make a premature decision was concerning to him as it meant his client did not get a fair hearing.
“That is part of the problem when you have lawyers trying lawyers. You can have a person that has a vendetta against you and you don’t know.”
Wildman explained that having competitors hear cases against each other was impractical and suggested it would make more sense to have retired court judges sitting in on cases like this.
Additionally the lawyers who heard the case do not have criminal trial experience which he thinks is a major issue.
“These are civil lawyers, these are inexperienced persons who have never had a criminal trial. She is a prosecutor and she understands what a prosecutor has to do to get out evidence. These are people who don’t have that experience— it is unfair to Ms Thomas to have these people judging her in a case like this.”
Wildman shared that Thomas had the support of both past and present lawyers in Jamaica and the UK who were outraged at the case and the outcome. 
As reported by Jamaican media and confirmed by Wildman, Thomas presented a photocopied document to the court. Thomas said it was the original but there were at least 11 discrepancies between it and the actual original.
Apparently the original could not be found and the witness who penned it was asked to rewrite it resulting in the changes. Having been handed the documents with very little time before trial Thomas’s attorney contends she did not know about the changes and at any rate the written statement was only to jog the witness’ memory.
When the discrepancies were revealed The Jamaican DPP said the prosecution would drop the case that same day.
Thomas was hired to represent the Turks and Caicos in 2021, which was also after the complaint was filed in Jamaica. While residents questioned the wisdom of taking on a public prosecutor with such serious allegation looming, but the Turks and Caicos DPP said the decision to hire her was not arbitrary.
Otuonye, a QC, explained that Thomas had come highly recommended from the DPPs office in Jamaica and the recommendation carried significant weight in the hiring process.
Sophia Thomas was also acting Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica.
Wildman says his primary objective is to get the “blemish” on Thomas’s career overturned but did not rule out the possibility of suing for compensation.
Turks and Caicos, May 23, 2026 – Invest Turks and Caicos Islands took center stage at one of the region’s most influential hospitality
investment gatherings this spring, serving as a Platinum Sponsor at ALIS CALA 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida.
Held April 28 to 30 at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, the conference brought together more than 600 tourism, hotel and investment leaders from over 35 countries focused on the future of hospitality investment in the Caribbean and Latin America.
ALIS CALA — short for the Americas Lodging Investment Summit Caribbean and Latin America — is widely regarded as the region’s premier deal-driven hospitality investment conference. The platform emerged from the merger of the long-running Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA), creating what organizers describe as a high-level space where investors, developers, lenders, hotel brands and government leaders connect around major regional projects and opportunities.
The event is known for attracting senior decision-makers, with roughly one in three delegates holding titles such as Chairman, CEO, President, Owner or Principal.
Invest Turks and Caicos said its participation focused heavily on showcasing investment opportunities across the territory, particularly in the Family Islands.
CEO Angela Musgrove delivered a presentation highlighting development opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands to what the agency
described as a full room of attendees and strong stakeholder interest.
In a statement following the conference, Invest Turks and Caicos said discussions centered on tourism expansion, sustainable development and long-term investment partnerships designed to position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a leading investment destination in the region.
The agency added that it looks forward to continuing conversations started at ALIS CALA and building new partnerships with investors, developers and strategic stakeholders interested in growth opportunities throughout the islands.
The conference itself focused heavily on capital access, hotel development pipelines, mixed-use tourism projects and investment confidence throughout the Caribbean basin — sectors where Turks and Caicos continues to attract increasing international attention.
The Rick Fox Political Timeline
“Are You Thinking About Politics?”
Fox publicly acknowledged growing calls for him to enter Bahamian politics, saying he had been hearing from women, youth, business owners and everyday Bahamians who were “ready for something different.”
October 19, 2025
“Then Jump, Man.”
Fox revealed a conversation with NBA legend Michael Jordan, who encouraged him to enter politics after asking whether he believed he could help young Bahamians.
November 24, 2025
“The Bahamas Must Be First”
Fox officially announced his intention to run in the 2026 General Election, promising transparency, affordability, opportunity and a modern Bahamian economy.
February 4, 2026
“Officially Picked”
The Free National Movement formally ratified Fox as its candidate for Garden Hills, instantly making him one of the most talked-about figures in the election cycle.
March 20, 2026
“From Courtside to Campaign Stage”
Fox mounted the national campaign stage for the first time at the FNM’s major campaign launch at Baha Mar Resort in Nassau.
March 30, 2026
“I’m Giving The Salary Back”
Fox announced he would not take a parliamentary salary if elected, saying the funds should instead go back into helping the people of
Garden Hills.
April 14, 2026
“Nomination Eve Goes Viral”
A heated confrontation involving Fox and PLP supporters outside the Parliamentary Registration Department exploded across social media after video captured the tense exchange.
April 16, 2026
“Pick Rick” Officially Launches
Nomination Day cemented Fox’s candidacy and formally launched the now-famous “Pick Rick” campaign branding.
April 19, 2026
“Vote and Win”
Jamiah Burrows won a vehicle through Fox’s civic participation challenge, part of a campaign effort encouraging voter engagement and turnout.
April 20, 2026
“The Wealthiest Candidate”
Financial disclosures revealed Fox as the wealthiest candidate in the 2026 election cycle, with reported assets exceeding $469 million, ending speculation about his financial standing.
April 25, 2026
“The Garden Hills Blueprint”
Fox unveiled detailed policy graphics outlining plans for:
- youth development,
- healthcare access,
- infrastructure upgrades,
- environmental restoration,
- entrepreneurship,
- and a proposed $10 million investment fund for Garden Hills.
May 4, 2026
“The Numbers Don’t Lie”
Fox’s campaign highlighted more than:
- 20 community clean-ups,
- 16 streets and locations served,
- and 13 solar lights installed across Garden Hills during the campaign.
May 6, 2026
“Shaq Steps In”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal publicly endorsed Fox, helping elevate international attention surrounding the campaign.
May 8, 2026
“Buju Backs Rick”
Jamaican reggae icon Buju Banton threw his support behind Fox ahead of Election Day.
May 10, 2026
“Vanessa Williams Endorses”
Fox’s former wife, actress and singer Vanessa Williams publicly endorsed his campaign.
May 11, 2026
“Magic Joins the Campaign”
NBA icon Magic Johnson became the latest major celebrity to endorse Fox just one day before Bahamians went to the polls.
May 12, 2026
“Election Day”
Fox contested the Garden Hills constituency seat against PLP incumbent Mario Bowleg in one of the country’s most closely watched races.
May 13, 2026
“Grace in Defeat”
Fox publicly conceded the race and congratulated Bowleg on his victory in Garden Hills.
May 18, 2026
“We Pick Rick”
Despite losing at the polls, Fox officially entered Parliament after being appointed to the Senate by the FNM — with the party itself declaring:
“We Pick Rick.”
The appointment made Fox one of the most internationally recognized figures ever to serve in the Bahamian Senate.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), in coordination with the Planning Department and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in the Lower Bight area in Providenciales. The exercise resulted in the complete removal of a total of eight (8) unauthorized structures and all associated debris from a
privately-owned parcel of land.
The operation was led by the Planning Department, with coordination by the ISU and support from the TCI Border Force, the Crown Land Unit, and Pelican Energy. Security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the exercise was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.
The enforcement action followed a structured and lawful process in accordance with the Physical Planning regulatory framework of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Section 45 Enforcement Notices were first issued on the affected parcel in December 2024, identifying unauthorized structures erected without the requisite approvals. This was followed by the issuance of Warning Notices on April 16, 2026, which advised occupants that they were in breach of planning and land use regulations and provided notice that demolition activities would proceed following the prescribed compliance period. Despite these notices and the time afforded for compliance, the unauthorized structures remained in place.
This exercise represents part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring that development within the Turks and Caicos Islands is lawful, safe, and aligned with national standards.
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