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Crime

Former Tourist Board Director will go to trial says Supreme Court judge

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

 

#TurksandCaicos, November 21, 2022 – A criminal trial has been order for Ramon Andrews, former Director of the TCI Tourist Board after failing to have the case against him thrown out.

Andrews, who was investigated and arrested by officers from the Integrity Commission, was charged in 2019 for corruption and financial misconduct. His attorney Oliver Smith, KC argued that the Integrity Commission officers acted outside of their remit when they arrested him as that was a power reserved  for those in public office i.e. policemen.

The Integrity Commission Ordinance maintains its officers are not policemen.

However, leaning on court documents shared by the TCI Sun Newspaper, Supreme Court Judge Shiraz Aziz rejected Smith’s argument maintaining that “The fact that the section states that the officer is not a police officer does not of itself mean that the officer cannot or shall not arrest or charge someone who he is investigating or where as a result of the investigation, there is evidence which can support a charge.”

While the judge maintained that the specification was to keep the Integrity Commission officers separate from the Royal TCI Police, not reduce their powers of arrest thus the trial will go forward, he did admit the language of the law lent to varied interpretations.

Andrews was appointed in 2016 and in 2019 became the subject of an “extensive investigation” and was charged by the Integrity Commission.  Details on the case have been miniscule, shedding no light on the extent of his alleged corruption and financial misconduct.

There was talk of up to $100,000 in misappropriated funds but at the time of that public report, Andrews told Magnetic Media the amount of money promoted on social media in the case was inflated.

He was put on administrative leave by the Tourist Board and was succeeded by Pamela Ewing who has since resigned the post.

The matter was argued on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions by Willin Belliard, prosecuting attorney and (Governor’s appointed) member of the House of Assembly.

Crime

Police Investigate Fatal Shooting in Kew Town, Second Man also hit

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Deandrea Hamiltonian

Editor 

 

 

May 15, 2024 – Police in the Turks and Caicos Islands are investigating a double shooting that occurred late Saturday night, resulting in one fatality and one man injured.

According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF), the first shooting was reported around 11:12 p.m. on May 10 in the Kew Town area.  Officers responded to gunshots heard near Harmony Close and discovered a man suffering from gunshot wounds at Cerasie Close.  Emergency medical services were called, but the victim—identified as 33-year-old Cyrildo Smith of Kew Town—was pronounced dead at 12:16 a.m.

While securing the scene, police located a second man nearby who had also sustained injuries. He was transported to a medical facility for treatment. His condition was not disclosed in the statement.

Shortly after, at approximately 11:25 p.m., officers responded to a second report of gunfire at Ralph Close in the Blue Hills area. There, they found a 20-year-old man inside a house with apparent gunshot wounds. He was also taken for medical treatment. Authorities did not release his name or details on his condition.

Police have not confirmed whether the two incidents are connected and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 or using the P3 mobile app. The Serious Crime Unit is also reachable at 231-1842.

The RT&CIPF extended condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Smith.

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Bahamas News

Bogus Windfall: Government Warns of $42K Scam Masquerading as Official Program

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Deandrea Hamilton

Editor 

 

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — A sophisticated online scam promising over $42,000 in government-issued payments has triggered alarm in The Bahamas, prompting a swift and stern warning from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The elaborate hoax, now pulled from the internet, featured a fake Q&A-style interview with Minister Michael Halkitis — complete with doctored quotes, government-like branding, and the logo of a major national newspaper.

At the heart of the scam was a too-good-to-be-true offer: a special financial program allegedly reserved for 4,000 Bahamians, each set to receive $3,500 BSD monthly. The phony article, disguised as a legitimate news piece, falsely claimed the initiative had government backing and featured a fabricated interview in which Minister Halkitis appeared to endorse the program.

In a press statement issued May 13, Minister Halkitis categorically denied any involvement and called the website “very likely a website created with malicious intent.” The Ministry emphasized that neither the Minister nor any government agency is connected to the claims being circulated.

“This message was not sent out by the Minister nor is he in any way affiliated with this group or any services they claim to be offering,” the statement read. “We strongly advise members of the public to avoid submitting any personal information or making payments to this website.”

The fraudulent site not only exploited the Minister’s name and likeness but also leveraged the brand of The Nassau Guardian, one of the country’s oldest and most reputable newspapers, to boost credibility. The result was a dangerously convincing piece of disinformation that has since been flagged and removed — but not before circulating widely on social media.

Government officials are urging residents to report any suspicious links or ads they encounter and to be cautious of offers that require payment or the submission of sensitive personal information. The matter has been referred to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for further investigation.

The Ministry is also advising Bahamians who may have interacted with the scam to take immediate corrective action, including changing passwords and contacting their banks or relevant authorities.

“We encourage the public to remain vigilant and always verify information through official sources before taking any action,” the Ministry urged.

This latest incident underscores the evolving sophistication of online scams in the region and highlights the importance of digital literacy and healthy skepticism when encountering sensational claims — particularly those promising unearned wealth.

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Crime

Diddy Used Aliases for ‘Freak Offs’ in Turks and Caicos, Cassie Testifies in Graphic Sex Trafficking Trial

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, May 15, 2025 – When he booked his infamous “freak offs” in the Turks and Caicos, Sean “Diddy” Combs used an alias and dragged an unwilling girlfriend to be part of the sexual exploits reportedly staged in hotel rooms in the Caribbean hot spot; that’s what came out in testimony from Cassie Ventura, the prosecution’s first witness in the scandalous sex trafficking trial.

Ventura, who dated Combs for 11 years, described a dark underworld of weekly “freak offs” allegedly arranged by the hip-hop mogul, beginning when she was just 22.  Speaking in harrowing detail, she told the jury the encounters—held in locations including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Ibiza, and Turks and Caicos—often lasted days, fueled by drugs Combs allegedly supplied: cocaine, ecstasy, and molly.

In one Turks and Caicos incident, Ventura said she was ordered into a blow-up pool filled with baby oil, testifying, “At that point, I couldn’t say no… If Sean wanted it to happen, that’s what was going to happen.”  Prosecutors revealed Combs used aliases like “Frank White” and “Frank Black” when booking hotel rooms for these encounters in the territory.

Ventura described being physically and sexually abused, forced to find escorts—sometimes via Craigslist—and comply with rigid demands, including specific lighting, clothing, and even nail polish.  She said Combs often recorded the events and threatened to release the footage if she disobeyed him.  “I felt disgusting and humiliated,” she said, recalling one instance where escorts urinated on her at Combs’ direction.

The most disturbing moment came when jurors were shown still images from the freak offs.  Many appeared visibly stunned.

A now-infamous 2016 video showing Combs assaulting Ventura in a hotel hallway was tied to one such incident.  She claimed she tried to flee a “freak off” before her movie premiere but was beaten and left with a black eye.  When asked how often he threw her to the ground, she replied, “Too many to count.”

Cassie and Combs ended their relationship in 2018.  She is now married and appeared at trial visibly pregnant, supported by her husband in court.

The trial continues today with Ventura’s cross-examination.  Prosecutors must prove racketeering and sex trafficking charges.  Combs, who has denied all allegations, faces life in prison if convicted.

It remains unclear if any witnesses from Turks and Caicos will be called to testify.

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