News
How Misick Fell Short of The UN’s Worst Corruption Standard
Judge Cites Kofi Annan, But Finds No Evidence Defendants Caused the Wider Harm Described by the Former UN Chief
By Deandrea Hamilton
Turks and Caicos, June 9, 2026 – One week after former Premier Michael Misick, former Cabinet minister McAllister Hanchell and attorney Thomas “Chal” Misick began serving prison sentences in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ landmark corruption case, attention is turning to a significant distinction made by Justice Rajendra Narine during sentencing.
In imposing prison terms on May 29, the judge agreed that corruption is a serious offence capable of causing profound societal harm. Yet he
also found that there was no evidence the three convicted men caused the sweeping consequences described in one of the world’s most famous condemnations of corruption.
The quotation came from former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who famously wrote:
“Corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on societies. It undermines democracy and the rule of law, leads to violations of human rights, distorts markets, erodes the quality of life and allows organized crime, terrorism and other threats to human security to flourish.”
Annan further observed:
“This evil phenomenon is found in all countries — big and small, rich and poor — but it is in the developing world that its effects are most destructive.”
Justice Narine acknowledged the quotation but drew an important distinction between the broad consequences of corruption described by Annan and the evidence presented during the trial.
“The court agrees that there is no evidence in this case that the offending parties actually caused or contributed to any of the harmful consequences described in the quotation,” Narine said.
The finding did not spare the defendants from prison.
The judge made clear that the offences remained serious enough to warrant immediate custodial sentences.
“This case was about an abuse of public trust for the sake of personal gain,” Narine stated.
“The conduct of the defendants caused a constitutional crisis and reputational harm to the territory.”
He added that the public interest demanded punishment and deterrence.
“The public interest requires that the sentence must reflect society’s abhorrence of the criminal conduct and the sentence should be such that like-minded potential offenders would be deterred from similar conduct.”
Narine also rejected suggestions that the absence of direct victims diminished the seriousness of the offences, noting that corruption often harms institutions and public confidence rather than identifiable individuals.
At the same time, the court accepted several mitigating factors advanced by the defence.
“The court is aware of the age, middle age of the offenders, that the immediate custodial sentences would have a traumatic effect on the
families, understanding the emotional distress involved,” Narine said.
He also agreed that rehabilitation was not a major concern.
“The court agrees with the defence counsel that there is a low risk of reoffending and that the objective of rehabilitation is not a significant factor in this case.”
Those considerations, combined with the extraordinary delay in bringing the matter to conclusion and the defendants’ previous good character, contributed to substantial reductions from the starting points the judge initially considered.
Michael Misick ultimately received an effective sentence of four years and 26 days on three bribery convictions. Hanchell was sentenced to three years on two bribery counts, while Chal Misick received four years on four money laundering convictions.
The legal saga, however, is far from over.
All three men remain in custody while awaiting a June 17 hearing on applications for bail pending appeal. In addition, confiscation proceedings — which could determine what assets or funds may be recoverable by the Crown — are still to come.
For now, the court’s message appears clear: while the conduct warranted prison and public condemnation, Justice Narine was not prepared to conclude that the defendants’ actions produced the full range of societal devastation described in Annan’s warning about corruption.
Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
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