Dear Editor,

Too often what passes for informed commentary in Jamaica is nothing but useless drivel that deceives only the ignorant. A case in point is the investigation by British and United States authorities into allegations of corruption against former officials of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

The Jamaican-owned Sandals Resorts International got caught up in the matter because one of its officers made unauthorised transfer of funds to a member of the former Michael Misick Government. That, according to reports here, involved mail fraud from the US.

Sandals and its principals did what any innocent company would do — volunteer to co-operate with the authorities and gave them everything they wanted to establish the truth of what was done.

In the end, Sandals had to pay the penalty of US$12 million to the people of the TCI, because of the actions of an officer who was close to officials, too close one would say. The money seems large, but in the world of international investigations of this nature, Sandals got off lightly because it was felt that “the co-operation of the company with the United States authorities (was) to a degree that has been acknowledged to be both extraordinary and unique, and included the early and voluntary releases of valuable evidence…”

We in the TCI are happy that it was not worse. It is conceivable that Sandals could have been forced to close its hotels here — which so many of us depend on for a living — all because of the greed and corrupt nature of man. I hope the culprit is enjoying the fruits of his corruption, because the long arm of the law is reaching out for him.

We are naturally hoping that this blow does not discourage Sandals or its owner, Mr Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, from continuing to expand here and in other parts of the Caribbean, providing worthwhile jobs and supporting the struggling economies of our region in this time of recession.

Pedrago Lumiere

Providenciales