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Bahamas Securities Commission hoping to Claw Back $256 Million in Real Estate in FTX debacle, but US wants it too

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By Deandrea Hamilton

Editor

 

#TheBahamas, December 14, 2022 – During media interviews, Sam Bankman-Fried claims he needed the real estate purchased in Nassau, Bahamas as enticement for new employees and housing for staff, but now that spending is being labelled as criminal.  Some $256 Million doled out on luxury apartments was exorbitant and allegedly reflective of the casual management style of the now imprisoned ex-CEO of FTX; in the US Congress on Tuesday, the money was said to be stolen from investors.

Bankman-Fried is no longer a free man, he is being held on remand at The Bahamas Department of Corrections until February 8, 2023 if the court’s decision stands.  The 30-year old, banished as he vocalized his resistance to extradition to his home country, the United States, where he is on the hook for billions of dollars and faces at least eight charges of fraud.

On the day of his arraignment, Tuesday December 13, which attracted a crush of local and global media at the Magistrate’s Courthouse, it came to light that Sam Bankman-Fried was snapping up real estate to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

It further flabbergasted those following the case of the young crypto wiz, once head of the world’s third largest Crypto Currency exchange who finds himself embroiled in a shocking saga.  His attorneys rebutted arguments of SBF being a flight risk, if released on bail and claimed Bankman-Fried is suffering sleepless nights and is taking medication for his nerves.  The latter, among the reasons given, for Bankman-Fried’s need to be release on bail after appearing in court before Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

The bail was denied.  SBF will spend 8 weeks in prison in Fox Hill, Nassau.

The filing by Bahamian lawyers informed that FTX executives Sam Bankman-Fried and Ryan Salame, scandalously spent $256.3 million to buy and maintain 35 different properties at the Albany and Goldwyn, both developments in an affluent coastal area in Nassau.

Some of the real estate was also vacant land said to be in western New Providence.

Revealed was spending in excess of $51 million on two ultra-stunning apartments at Albany, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Bankman-Fried in an interview aired on Sunday December 11, told Jerome Sawyer, host of On the Record, the more expensive of the units was home to five families.  The embattled former CEO neglected to mention however, just how many apartments he had purchased and that the $30 million price tag on the most expensive on the list, about which he was asked, was but one of many residences obtained by FTX.

Now, a battle has ensued over who has first dibs at so called, stolen fortune which was allegedly used in unchecked, reckless spending. Bahamas regulators are hoping to claw back the expensive real estate and funds earned as it continues actions through court-appointed provisional liquidators.

“These actions included securing the transfer of potentially commingled digital assets of FTX Digital Markets Ltd. and affiliates to a secure location under the authority of an Order issued by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas.  The Commission holds those assets as trustee only (under Bahamian Law), and they will be ultimately distributed, to creditors and clients of FTX, wherever they may be located, in accordance with the court’s direction,” the Securities Commission of The Bahamas in a statement on December 13 added, “The Commission has previously addressed improper distributions to Bahamian citizens in its statement dated 12 November 2022.  The Commission reaffirms its prior statement and notes that to the extent improper distributions were made to Bahamian citizens, such distributions will be subject to the appropriate claw back actions under the law.”

SBF was arrested on Monday evening by the Royal Bahamas Police on advice of the United States.  On Tuesday, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission charged Bankman-Fried in a parallel action with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).

Speculations are that this is just the first set of charges to come for the thirty-year-old.

The SEC noted that investigations are ongoing.  The Commission also said it is investigating “other securities law violations” and other entities and individuals.

Bahamas News

Ayla Isaacs Unveils Transformative Guide Amidst Challenging Times

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Bahamian author Ayla Isaacs is making an impactful debut in the literary world with her book, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health—Transforming Your Wellbeing With Diet, Exercise, and Rest.” As crime rates surge and the aftermath of the pandemic leaving many grappling with hopelessness and a sense of abandonment, Isaacs’ guide offers a beacon of hope and a roadmap for personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing spiritual resilience in navigating adversity.

Long-time Bahamian physician Dr. Horizal Simmons says, “Ms. Isaacs not only states the spiritual ingredient that we should use for our therapy, but she also explains how it works in our spiritual system and the beneficial changes that will bring the desired transformation or spiritual health benefits.” Applauding the soundness of the book and paralleling it to physical wellness, Dr. Simmons said he highly recommends it to anyone serious about their spiritual well-being and health.

Isaacs is a highly experienced Project Manager who draws from her background in Civil and Environmental Engineering, International Business, and Christian ministry, whether a physical structure or the wellbeing of an individual’s life. Her published work shows that she strongly believes in building with structural integrity. Isaacs provides readers with a holistic approach to welfare beyond traditional self-help. She explores the transformative power of simple spiritual practices integrated into daily life. Isaacs believes that prioritizing spiritual health can help individuals find inner fulfillment and a sense of purpose, which she believes are essential in combating the prevailing hopelessness.

Coach Gregory Cash, who has spent decades helping to develop great athletes and leaders in the country, believes the unique perspective shared, especially relating to spiritual exercise, can touch the hearts of so many. Wendy Fernander, PhD., a licensed clinical psychologist and president of the Bahamas Psychological Association, noted that too few of us think about our spiritual diet, which results in our spiritual wellbeing. When asked about the book, Dr. Fernander said, “This book will provoke you to do serious soul searching.”

Amid the challenges communities face, Isaacs encourages readers to initiate a positive “me” movement—a focus on self-improvement that, when embraced collectively, can lead to stronger families, churches, and nations. According to Isaacs, strengthened individuals become catalysts for positive change within their immediate circles, creating a ripple effect that extends to broader communities.

Ayla Isaacs, whose roots go back to South Eleuthera, is a founding member of the Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS) and the creative mind behind A.I. Paper, a gift-wrapping paper and bag company that celebrates the islands of The Bahamas. Isaacs believes that investing in spiritual wellbeing is pivotal for personal growth and resilience. A conference speaker who is actively involved in church ministries and affiliated with several civic organizations, Isaacs firmly believes in the balance between personal and community wellbeing.

“Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” is now available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback and eBook form and locally at Oasis Bookstore in Nassau. Isaacs encourages readers to embark on a transformative journey and be architects of their spiritual wellbeing. In times of uncertainty, “Achieving Optimum Spiritual Health” offers a guide and a message of hope and empowerment for individuals seeking personal and communal transformation.

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Bahamas News

Tired of Taking Notes? The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Will Transcribe and Summarize Your Voice Notes In A Snap! 

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NASSAU, Bahamas – Faster, smarter and more convenient than ever before, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 will revolutionize your productivity with its new Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist features. In the continuous pursuit of delivering innovative solutions that enhance productivity and user experience, Samsung Electronics is proud to introduce two groundbreaking features: Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist.

The Transcript Assist feature, powered by Galaxy’s advanced artificial intelligence, takes note-taking to a whole new level by enabling users to easily convert voice notes and conversations into useful and accessible notes. Whether in a business meeting, conference, or casual conversation, the Galaxy S24’s Transcript Assist makes capturing information easier than ever.

By utilizing Transcript Assist, users can effortlessly record any conversation with multiple speakers and transform it into a clear and concise transcript with just a few taps. This feature is particularly useful for those who need to keep a detailed record of discussions and decisions made during important meetings or collaborative work sessions.

“With Transcript Assist, we’re redefining the way people take notes and record information,” said Gianmarco Leri, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics. “No longer do you have to worry about missing important details during a conversation. With the Galaxy S24, you can capture every word and turn it into a useful reference that you can easily review and share.”

In addition to generating accurate transcripts, the Transcript Assist feature also offers the ability to generate quick summaries of conversations, as well as the option to translate the entire transcript into different languages, facilitating communication and collaboration among people from different regions and cultures.

On the other hand, the Browsing Assist feature allows users to navigate more efficiently and conveniently on their Galaxy S24 devices by providing intelligent and contextual suggestions during web browsing and online content exploration.

The Galaxy S24, equipped with Transcript Assist and Browsing Assist, marks the beginning of a new era of productivity and convenience in mobile devices. These innovative features demonstrate Samsung Electronics’ continued commitment to providing advanced tools that help people achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently in everyday life.

So, get ready! The new Samsung Galaxy S24 will be coming soon to tech stores in The Bahamas soon.

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Bahamas News

Weather Systems Affect Cuba and The Bahamas

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Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Weather#Cuba#TheBahamas, March 25th, 2024 – Serious weather struck The Bahamas and Cuba over the weekend, both nations receiving warnings from their meteorological entities. The Bahamas was affected by severe thunderstorms.  In fact, an area of the Carnival Freedom Cruise Ship, which was 20 miles off Eleuthera, Bahamas, caught fire and reports say it was possibly due to a lightning strike.  Fortunately no lives were reported lost.

Meanwhile, Cuba had intense rainfall and hailstorms, resulting in damage to surrounding areas, thousands left without electricity amid fallen trees and Flash Floods.

 

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