One of the longest criminal trials of a senior Caribbean politician ended this week with the conviction of former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick and two other top officials on charges of malpractice in office.
Justice Rajendra Narine found Misick 60, his brother Thomas, and former TCI minister McAllister Hanchell guilty on multiple counts of participating in a long-running corruption scheme linked to money laundering and alleged fraudulent land transaction deals.
Prosecutors had argued that Michael Misick and the two others were active participants in transactions involving the acceptance of bribes from local and foreign businessmen. They also accused them of benefiting from elite credit cards, accepting millions in loans and bribes, discounting land prices, and issuing government concessions to developers.
A packed courtroom listened to the judge outlining his findings and declaring that ex-premier Misick had “knowingly and intentionally received payments as an inducement to act corruptly” by handing concessions to developers at suspiciously low rates. The crown or the state listed several incidents of malpractices, including access to a $6 million loan, a high-end American Express card, and access to a villa overseas. Sentencing is set for early May.
“The crown alleges payments were intended to induce Mr. Misick to act corruptly, citing evidence of fund transfers, lack of legitimate purpose, and rapid disbursement aligned with his decisions. Having considered the evidence carefully, the court draws the reasonable and compelling inference that Mr. Misick received the payments knowingly and intentionally, using inducements for him to act corruptly,” Trinidad-born Justice Narine said.
Misick is from a well-entrenched political family in the British colony.
His brother, Washington Misick, is currently the head of government in the archipelago and head of the National Party, but former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick was once globally famous, in part because of his marriage to and infamous divorce from US actress LisaRaye McKoy, while premier for six years up to 2009. He was also highly respected for his passionate promotion of the TCI as an investment venue for the hospitality industry.
At one time, he had fled to Brazil, was arrested there, and later extradited back to the colony. After the conviction, Justice Narine set bail at $15 million for Misick, $4 million for Hanchell, and $13 million for his brother. They are banned from leaving any of the islands in the chain.
