Former Premier hopes for relaxed conditions ahead of trial
MIAMI, CMC – Former Premier of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) Andrew Fahie, who is facing charges of drug smuggling and money laundering, has filed a motion before a Florida court to receive more flexible bond conditions ahead of his trial.
Fahie has been charged along with his co-accused — former BVI Ports Authority Director Oleanvine Maynard and her son, Kadeem Maynard.
The Maynards remain incarcerated ahead of the trio’s expected July trial.
In a report published by BVI News on Friday, Fahie’s attorney, Theresa Van Vliet petitioned the court to allow him to travel for dental appointments and increased visits to his lawyer.
According to Van Vliet the motion was not opposed by the prosecution.
Fahie currently has limited flexibility after a revised bail bond order only allowed him to travel for court appearances.
Conditions of the bond meant that his attorney had to travel to his two-bedroom apartment for client visits. According to the report, the apartment is shared with his two daughters who are attending college. Based on this, Van Vliet told the court that the size of the former premier’s residence makes confidential communication difficult, if not impossible, if either of his two daughters are at home.
She said trial preparation would be better served in an office replete with the necessary materials and resources, including the ability to speak freely and confidentially with his attorney.
Van Vliet said her client recently obtained permission to travel to his dentist for a root canal, and wanted additional modification on the bond order to allow for follow-up dental visits as well as attorney visits to her offices either in Miami during the trial or in Fort Lauderdale.
She said the visits would be no more than three times per week, beginning around June 26, and continuing through the duration of the trial.