Immigration boss remains suspended from post
Linda Evans, Chief Immigration Officer
(CNS): The chief immigration officer, who was suspended from her post in 2014, is still on required leave, the ministry confirmed Thursday. Linda Evans was placed on paid leave almost 18 months ago but the details of her alleged infractions have never been made public and no charges have brought against her under any legislation, including the Anti-corruption Law. At the end of last year, Eric Bush, the chief officer in the home affairs ministry, which has responsibility for immigration, said that he expected the “unresolved disciplinary issues” regarding Evans to be concluded “shortly”.
However, another six months has passed and one of government’s most importance agencies remains without a permanent head. Bruce Smith has been acting in post since Evans was suspended. Asked by CNS this week what the situation was regarding Evans, Bush made no further comment other than to confirm she remains “on required leave at this time”.
Category: Jobs, Local News
I need to ask Auntie how I can be out on required leave. I want some of that action!
When the fiasco with Diane Montoya, Angela Martins and Deborah Drummond was finally resolved, the DG said it would never happen again on his watch. Well he must be sleeping because it is very much happening on his watch.
Personality clash and politricks happening again.
The Government is going to get sued again because no matter what the outcome of this situation is, they have tarnished this woman’s reputation.
People are wondering what was it that she allegedly did that warranted being parked for over a year. Some have even concluded that she is guilty and the Government is trying to cover it up.
People are commenting that it is nice to stay at home and get paid, it isn’t a pleasant feeling when your reputation is ruined. She has this cloud hanging over her, they have undermined her credibility with her staff and the general public.
She maybe working on other things in the interim but seems like she is damned if she do and damned if she don’t.
If she stays at home and does absolutely nothing and is getting paid, people are upset, if she wants to keep busy while these idiots try to figure out which way is up, people are upset. Give the woman a break.
We don’t know what she was being accused of and last time I checked, you are not automatically guilty because someone accused you of something. Sometimes it is worth looking into the credibility of the accuser, what is their motive?
Nothing CIG loves more than an ‘acting’ head of department. How many do we have now..Immigration, fire service, police, education…might be one or two out but you get the picture !
What use is the Civil Service Association if it cannot even speak up when its members are put on indefinite suspension? The only time it seems to open its mouth is when its members financial interests are threatened. Treat CS as you like as long as you pay them?
Wage **
I loved her work on Dynasty!
Well it is going to come out from under the rug now Anonymous at 9:08a. Either the DPP, the DG or HE the Governor are going to disclose why this matter has not progressed through the Court. It is abominable.
Don’t bet on it, Just Watchin.
I think anyone who has been put on leave pending an investigation that dragged on for years will tell you that the stress and anxiety is overbearing. People DO care about their reputations. To be put on leave and left there for months and even years with no explanation as to why is just not right. And it could happen to any of us at any time because there seem to be no consequences for the people who make these decisions in the first place. There are no consequences for Chief Officers or the DG or Heads of Departments who do this to people. Maybe the law needs to spell out that full charges must be given in writing to the civil servant within 3 months or the employee goes back to work. Oftentimes, charges are not brought because the civil servant was actually put on leave simply because the right (or wrong) person did not like them.
That is why they need to act quickly to have it resolved. Cross T’s and dot I’s before they do anything. Make sure they have hard evidence that can stick and get it resolved in 6 months or less rather than paying ppl to do nothing which is more the norm in gov’t anyway. 18 months full pay at her salary level for nothing?? This could not happen in the private sector. Another reason ppl laugh at our Civil Service.
Sorry to burst your bubble Anonymous at 7:03p, you clearly do not have your facts correct.
What is correct is that the former CIO, after becoming Chief Officer of the Portfolio of Internal & External Affairs, ran a recruitment process to select his replacement as CIO and it was he, the now DG, who selected and appointed her.
Anonymous at 8:53am. Do you think I don’t know how that whole sham went with respect to the appointment of the CIO that is now on retired leave? I know personally that it was a part of the plan including the appointment of Eric Bush. Many of us Civil Servants were told that the very one who conducted the interviews so please stop being so naive to what happens at that level of the Civil Service.
Sorry 8:53. You have NO idea what u r talking about or maybe you just aren’t being honest. What you have described is the formal process but it does NOT describe the reality of how this recruitment process went down.
Kick this bees nest and let it all come out and lets move one.
Alden, why are we paying this woman to stay home and do nothing. That is a total waste of public funds. This money could go towards scholarships for needy children. Shame! shame! shame!
Typical Cayman hypocracy. You are making the presumption that this lady is guilty of some offence serious enough to have her removed, when the facts tell us otherwise. She has not been charged of any offence or disciplinary matter yet you are keen to destroy her career and put the money towards some ridiculous notion that her salary would be put to another use.
Speaking as driftwood, the Caymanian ability to not only stab us in the back at the first opportunity but to stab your own is a sign of a deep hypocracy and underlying envy that will eventually see your downfall.
Personally I hope this lady sues the CIG and uncovers the likely outcome of this suspension. If this isn’t an example of Caymanian vindictiveness and personal vendetta because she was about to blow the cover off yet another local scandal, then call me Susan.
Doesn’t anyone notice the amount of law enforcement personnel that either ‘resign’ or who are forced from service due to unsubstantiated allegations, I wonder why?
Anonymous says:
14/05/2016 at 9:24 am: I must commend you for being so insightful into what happens to those who stand up against the illegal acts of those senior top dogs in Government. They find a way to push them out but I will remind them all that the Higher they climb the greater their fall when they do…and believe me they all are going to fall one by one.
She will get such a golden hand shake that she won’t have to sue the government.
No we just think that she should be in or out by now. Why screw around with this so long?
9.24am. 18 mo is enough to figure this all out
I agree, but it’s not her fault that the CIG are so incompetent. If there are no charges then reinstate her ASAP.
They did say he would be subjected to administrative action. So do that and find her replacement – obviously she’s not returning to that department.
Why not, if she has done nothing wrong? Oh, I know, their half cocked pronouncements have made that impossible and have destroyed her career. Any accountability?
What about suspended and still paid DEH employees in Little Cayman, both causing serious damage to Government property? For over 2 years?
Everybody knows that the Lesser Islands civil servants are the most protected voters in the territory……..
Because that’s how Caymanian leadership rolls. This isn’t the first time for this nor the last. Its not going to change by itself and Caymanians just don’t have the education or courage to make it change. Plan accordingly.
Paid leave, followed by early retirement with a golden parachute….not a bad deal.
But such a waste of resources…and such a poor example of “Good Governance”
At least in her case there is an allegation of wrongdoing. Have you all forgotten about the THREE Caymanian ladies who only found disfavour with the serial abuser of CIG credit cards and were parked at home for DOUBLE this length of time on fully salary?! The Government then had to pay more money to settle their constructive dismissal claims!!! Actions of a disgusting despicable man!
Has anyone noticed that the person who ‘parked’ her, Eric Bush, has been rewarded with a cushy position in London for 3 years and his replacement is apparently now being recruited.
Clearly what he has done to her has been smiled upon by the likes of the Premier and the DG.
Better choice of wines in London.
This is what happens when you appoint to a senior important position someone who has absolutely no knowledge of the law, regulations and practices that govern that position but whose only qualification is that that person is a Caymanian. She was the only Caymanian who applied-none of the others there wanted it- so she had to get the job so we better all just live with the consequences.
She had lots of relevant experience. She is not a lawyer and was entitled to have and to be able to rely on competent and timely legal advice on the myriad of issues that office must face. The support given to her appears to have been non existent or severely lacking. The same issue continues.
How do you apply a law that is so badly written and contradictory in many respects that even the legal department has no idea what it says or even why? It is a disgusting mess caused by politicians and bureaucrats; not the immigration department.
In other news from CNS on 02/01/2015: “Deputy Chief Immigration Officer Gary Wong (47) was arrested shortly after a midnight collision on Saturday 28 December last year [2013] for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) and leaving the scene. He was formally charged in May”.
Aside from a court appearance in May 2014, two years ago, nothing else has been heard of this matter and Mr Wong has remained in office in spite of being charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. Those are SERIOUS charges.
Can you tell us Franz why this is so and whether it is because, as everyone thinks, he is one of your boys?
Allegedly, his Ram truck totaled the BMW he cleared off the road on impact, causing injuries, he was drunk and fled the scene rather than help his victims. If true, these are criminal acts, not “traffic court” acts as Immigration put it. This was all brushed under the rug.
I am sorry. I disagree. Hitting a car, being found with alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident with no intentions of evading the law, is NOT criminal. In legal terms, these are pure traffic offences, and hence why he remains the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer.
Given leaving the scene carries a potential prison sentence of up to 12 months inside, it is difficult to comprehend how you can consider it is not a criminal offence.
Yeah, CNS, can we get a story on the latest for this? The govt needs to know we remember these things and they can’t just shuffle it aside.
I would hope this is down to RCIPS or the DPP laziness/incompetence and not CIG – so sad that we have to hope for incompetence in our law enforcement as an alternative to political control of law enforcement or corruption!
He was in Court only a couple of weeks ago, saw no report in newspaper of any result?
BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS BS
Any wonder why Immigration is in such a mess? This is Aldens ministry. Shows how much concern he has especially given the recent revelations with Flow
Alden. Who screwed up the changes to the laws that you oversaw and are costing us millions? Are we ever going to know?
you two children should stop playing politics in everything you do.
The people who wrote these laws are:
1. My friend
2. My other friend.
3. My friend’s friend.
4. My other friend’s friend.
5. My favored political supporter.
6. My other favored political supporter.
All are leading experts in immigration law having lived here for most of their lives and at least two were personally involved in making permit applications for their helpers.
Eric Bush should be fired a long time ago. Can someone ask Franz Manderson why he is protecting him so much when he’s a total disaster.
What is the name of that group that does weird stuff like special hand shakes, winks, rings, etc….called again?
What a daft comment!
Which one?
Eric Bush and Franz Manderson call the shots in that ministry and at Immigration department
Jesus, I want a job where I am on paid leave for almost 2 years! Talk about hitting the jackpot.
Whilst running your other businesses too!!!????
Evans took over complete mess at immigration and I suspect that when her own investigations threatened to rock the boat it was decided to shut her up.
Too many people are too scared about what a full investigation will turn up to let this run so like most other CIG suspensions it can only end in a quiet retirement.
You hit it on the nail head when you cited the consequence of standing up against them. Perhaps she tried to correct the mess that was left behind by Franz Manderson who was promoted to DG. However, I am sure she will get a nice golden handshake because she was one of those selected and put in place by the former DG. Her reputation and career is ruin and she can never return to the Public Service. If she does, no one will respect her because of the cloud that is hanging over her head. This is just another mess by Eric Bush and Alden McLaughlin. By the way, I keenly observed that the Premier is yet to offer any public support for a Caymanian Head like he did for the UK Police Commissioner.
@ 7.03pm UDP,UDP Propaganda wing hard at work.
I think that’s BS too.
This is outrageously inexcusable that the Officer being investigated for almost two years do not know her faith and if found not guilty she could have been earning her salary and contributing to the Govt. – Shameful on those inept individuals….
Suspension with Pay = Hush money
classic cig civil service incompetence at every level……
We claim internationally that we have nothing to hide as a jurisdiction and are completely above board, but we will not explain to local tax payers why a top civil servant has been suspended on full pay and benefits for 2 years.
well jotnar it is about the legal system. she has been accused but has not yet been found guilty because the legal system has not completed the case. i do have a big problem with this from both sides. if she is not found guilty then they have destroyed an innocent womans career and reputation but if she is she has been paid off very well.
Its not the legal system at all – its an internal “enquiry”. No guilt or innocence involved – just bureaucrats choosing not to progress or resolve the investigation – or act on its results if already known. And in the meantime the tax payer continues to pay two people to do one job because someone either doesn’t have the cojones to do theirs, is too lazy, or is frightened of the consequences. .
The only thing we need to be embarrassed about are the UDP associates that keep getting charged for wrongdoing that hurts the people and reputation of this country
It is inexcusable that public servants suspended have to remain on pay for long periods. The charges should be brought and a decision on servant’s future decided. It is unfair to the officer to remain under a cloud for so long. Who is in charge of moving this along? If Eric Bush then the Gov. should call him in and say get this settled! He doesn’t seem to know what to do other than to say, “soon happen”. Ridiculous. Meanwhile the Govt. is paying 2 salaries and an important post remains in suspension.
Has anyone considered that fundamentally she may not have done anything wrong? To me that makes the position really scary.
She’s done a lot wrong. But she also knows the wrongs of others, in detail…
Has she, or was she relying on advisors who were not up to the task?
It’s not just inexcusable but also a breach of their human rights under ECHR Article 6 but have you heard anyone in this situation complaining? Do you ever wonder why that might be?
No, why?
Because until it is determined they stay on full pay and benefits.
Eric Bush is going on higher vacation to the UK. What a joke. CCTVs that don’t work, money wasted, civil servant on paid leave for years and he is promoted. Hello, are all idiots?
Eric Bush is literally being demoted. Franz will see that he maintains his salary as personal to holder but the position in London is much lower than a Chief Officer. If you look at the Organizational Chart you will see where he falls. I don’t want to say much more on this because the next thing we will hear is that they have changed their minds and he is not going to the London office again.
Eric Bush is not being promoted. He is being demoted. The position is much lower than a Chief Officer post. If you doubt me ask for a copy of the government organizational chart.
Is it similar Syed, who has been here forever waiting for a trial? Come on antiquated legal system. In other countries these cases would have been in the past and fogotten about. Why does our law enforcement and legal system drag out these cases and cost the country so much unnecessary stress. We could better use that money to do better things.
Government needs to put something in place to deal with this. The same thing has been done for years through many governments. It is time to fix it. If you are going to charge the lady and releave her of her job then have the evidence. If not then the officer making that call should have to pay for the damage not the cayman people.
How can anyone be on paid leave for almost 2 years “Pending investigation”? Its a joke to us Caymanians. This is why the private sector thinks locals are a joke, and hesitate to hire them because who knows, might have to have one of us on paid leave for 18 months while immigration works out the “details”.
Our Government reps are truly running a circus at the public’s expense. I want to see all new faces to Government next year. I for one might have to rear my head, because the situation if left unchecked will soon be irreversible.
The Truth.
I would think that before they went and destroyed someones career they would have had their facts together. If they do have their facts together then speed up the process.
2yrs and nothing means a monumental f-up is in progress…..
Perhaps the facts reflect badly on those in charge.
Sorry, 3:45. There are not “facts” available.
True dat. But remember, this farce is brought to you by the very same people who have prepared laws that no one understands and are incapable of being applied, at great risk to our economy. You would have thought they would have their facts together on that before screwing with the lives and careers of thousands.
8.52am Missing McKeeva are you?
Nope. But it is time for some honest introspection. Civil servants played more of a role in writing these laws than any politician.
Irreversible? It’s too late for that!