Mac escapes charge in casino groping accusation

| 07/08/2017 | 86 Comments

(CNS): The speaker of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly will not face any charges following accusations that he groped a waitress in a Florida casino last month. McKeeva Bush had been arrested after the woman alleged that the veteran politician had touched her inappropriately while she was serving at the casino in Coconut Creek, South Florida. Although the Seminole police department said at the time that the woman made a sworn affidavit and CCTV footage had been recovered, officials there have now confirmed that no charges will be filed.

Bush had protested his innocence from the moment his mug shot appeared online and the details of the allegations emerged, and he implied, through his attorney, that the episode was a cultural misunderstanding. He filed a not guilty plea after he was released from jail, having deposited a $1,000 cash bond. Soon afterwards returned to Cayman.

Ron Ishoy, from the Florida State Attorney’s Office, confirmed that the case was not going ahead and a full explanation would be released this week. “The Broward State Attorney’s office in Fort Lauderdale filed paperwork …noting that it will not file a charge of misdemeanour battery against William Bush.”

He said that an announcement of “no information” had been made regarding the allegations. Bush is also expected to have his $1,000 bond returned now that charges will not be laid.

In a statement on Friday, issued through his attorney Keith Seltzer, Bush said, “The last few weeks have been very difficult for both me and my family and the support we have received has helped us get through these difficult times.”

Commenting on the news that he will not be prosecuted, Bush posted his often repeated mantra on his Facebook page over the weekend that “if our hands are clean and our hearts pure our God will never, never forsake us”.
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Category: Crime, Politics

Comments (86)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Man a TELL unna it was’n me.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Video evidence in the US is never reliable. I’ve seen at least four videos recently where a policeman clearly shoots and kills an unarmed suspect and the result was “not guilty”.

    • Anonymous says:

      I believe you meant to say; racism in the US is very reliable…hence all the “not guilty” verdicts of those shootings you describe.

      – Whodatis

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      • Anonymous says:

        Is that why you characterized her as a gold digger without having seen the video?

      • violated says:

        Racism in the U.S. is the same as racism all over this world like even in Cayman, Africa, and so on. I have to admit that in Chicago there is an overwhelming number of blacks killing blacks. Thousands of murders each year. Is that a form of racism?

        • Anonymous says:

          Yes they were racist against our beloved Mr. Bush

        • Anonymous says:

          Yes, it is a problem very similar to the knife crime epidemic in places like Preston, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and Belfast.

          So much serious White on White crime over there.

          Is that a form of racism?

          – Who

          P.S. I see you are equating the standards expected of an American policeman to those of murderous, gang-banging thugs.

          Stay classy there bub.

  3. Concerned citizen says:

    Folks one thing i have learned a long time ago, never bet against Mckeeva Bush!

  4. Anonymous says:

    This man Mac is already back in Cayman threatening to sue people who commented on his arrest on social media.

    He had better go and sit down and be quiet. If he was not hanging around in casinos gambling this would never have happened.

    You can say that the case was dropped all you want, that does not subtract from the fact that the Honorable Speaker of the House for the Cayman Islands was indeed arrested at a casino in Florida.

    He needs to sit down and be quiet.

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  5. frangipani says:

    Teflon Don!! gets away again!

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I just read the Editorial piece in the Compass today(no moral compass, it would seem), essentially celebrating the dropping of the case, saying Mac is exonerated. Seriously? The full facts are not out there, and as we have seen before Mac may have got away with it, but doesn’t mean he didn’t do it….I agree we should know all the facts before judging, but precisely because he is an elected member representing Caymanians we need those facts and quickly. Then we can make up our own minds. Past history does not do Mac any favours…the credit card thing should have seen him go down, and in reality it only did not do that on a technicality.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    The editorial in another media outlet today, Tuesday, is hilarious. The writer is so far up somewhere quite disturbing its laughable.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and Big Mac’s mug shot after his arrest tells you everything you need to know. The lawyers on either side of the case would weave a tale that conjures up an image vastly different from what you see in the mug shot, but look at the picture because therein lies the truth.

    Many will always love him regardless, perhaps a few hate him, but the majority like myself have become apathetic about his behaviour, and we have long resigned ourselves to the fact that we will pay his pension, health care, and any other perks that can be legislated for him until the end of his life.

    In death he will mourned, with even his enemies traveling to West Bay to pay homage, and he will be fondly remembered for so many wonderful things that he didn’t do. Such is life in Cayman.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Easy Mac..you weren’t found not guilty..there was insufficient evidence of your act of “cultural difference”…thank the camera angle not God.

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  10. AlanP says:

    Taylor Swift suit accuses Mueller of improperly touching her as they posed for a photo by “reaching under her dress and grabbing her bottom.”
    Jury selection begins in Taylor Swift trial.

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  11. Anonymous says:

    If he was not on vacation, or at a doctor’s appointment then he was on the people’s time. Instead of being there as wasting the people’s money. Since he does not have a real job any longer and making some much to do it (no bills, no debates, no nothing) and since he and his colleagues have finally identified what the real problems are in WB (drugs, education and crime)
    He should spending every waking minute out and about in the community trying solve this social issues. Oh no that would actually be working. I agree with all the contributors who has called for his resignation from politics.
    He is a disgrace to all the Caymanian men.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    Hunting season is open. We men can now officially grab any woman’s ass.
    Embarrassing…….
    Cayman christianity..

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  13. Anonymous1 says:

    I would really like to see that CCTV recording … or, don’t tell me that was destroyed too!

    WELCOME TO THE USA ?

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    • Anonymous says:

      I don’t think it was sufficient and perhaps is why case was not pursued…they have indicated it showed Mac reaching around however the grabbing of buttocks was per woman…not per CCTV.

    • violated says:

      Blame the USA. Feel like a little “cultural misunderstanding” now? Go grab a couple hands full

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  14. Mike Ross says:

    I’ve watched enough of Suits to understand what happened here.

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  15. Anonymous says:

    Let’s get this straight. There is no such thing as a cured addict of any sort, they are always into recovery.

    Mac certainly appears to be a gambling addict so I can assure you as long as gambling is legal in certain parts of the US and elsewhere, Mac will be there. Give him a few drinks, he feels like he is Donald Trump.

    I’m a West Bay Bush – I’m so hot that I can swing the engine anytime and if I’m accused or wrongdoing I will just say what Shaggy said, “It wasn’t me”

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    • violated says:

      President Trump lives off of his own money, and has donated his first government paycheck to charity I’m sure it was’nt the Clinton foundation. There is a lesson in this for any and all good leaders.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Are you kidding me? Do you realize how much Trump is costing the American citizens on a daily basis?

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        • violated says:

          Trump is costing less, and has acomplished more in 6 months than Obama has acomplished in 8 YEARS.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Either you have been out in the sun too long or your hat is too tight. Picking a fight with North Korea’s Little Kim is not an accomplishment. Trump is just riding out what was already being done and helping it along by discarding regulations. I am still waiting for him to actually pass a piece of legislation let alone take responsibility for any administrative failings. Otherwise Vladimir, you must be very proud of your little hand picked mental midget.

            Trump is no Ronald Reagan and he could not carry George W. Bush’s cowboy hat. He has done more to destroy the image of America abroad than the Kardashians. Give me a break and stay off the internet, Goober.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Good fiscally responsible prosecution.

    He did it, they know he did it, they can prove he did it.

    Its a misdemeanour, when he is found guilty, maybe a $1000 fine to the State of Florida.

    But in swoop the dream team (why do you even have a Florida Attorney on standby) and start blustering about full trial with a Jury… Would have cost the state $100k minimum.

    Lets move on…

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  17. Anonymous says:

    No comment about his heart but if the camera showed that he grabbed her,then his hands are not too clean. Anyway you twist it, it is certainly no way for ” an honorable speaker” and MLA to act. I wish persons in these high positions would be mindful of the way they are influencing our young men. and ladies) so sad!! There is nothing bettter than having a good name and integrity. Didn’t his mama teach him that. I would wager (no pun intended) that she did.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Hope those that hang out in our local bar rooms can and will be reminded that this sort of behavior is and should not be acceptable behavior here for our local politicians either. Lots of them need to clean out their own damn closets and stop worrying about Mac and trying to bring him down.,

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    • Anonymous says:

      Do you seriously think the US would have dropped those charges if there was proof of him grabbing her butt? Give me a break.

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      • Anonymous says:

        So what exactly were the ‘cultural differences’ trotted out as an excuse when this first hit the news? Now it’s just a flat out denial that he did anything at all?

      • Anonymous says:

        Um, yes.

      • Anonymous says:

        Maybe the woman dropped the charges or change her story. That has happened before with the right incentive!!

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  18. Anonymous says:

    give that man a cigarrrr?? poor cayman…

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  19. Anonymous says:

    …But Cayman doesn’t escape the worldwide shame. Given all his troubles from before, and charged or not, let’s not forget that the honourable speaker of the house was arrested at midnight, outside another casino.

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  20. Anonymous says:

    Grabbing a strange woman & pulling her towards you is not our culture. Whether or not his hand touched her inappropriately. Mac you are a disgrace to all decent Caymanian men.

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  21. Anonymous says:

    Teflon Mac, slippier than slime, greasier than a Walmart parking lot. The man who keeps on giving. Imagine having nothing interesting to read all day if not for Mac. Surely much more interesting than the other blowhard currently in power. Keep up the great job Mac!

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  22. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva Bush is either a gambling addict or he is so much in debt (to lawyers) that he needs to gamble to supplement his income- or both. Either way, he needs professional counselling and hope he realizes that and seeks same. He is an embarrassment to elected public officials and to the voting public at large!!

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    • Shadow says:

      I don’t see how you can come to the conclusion that McKeeva Bush is either a gambling addict or he is so much in debt (to lawyers) that he needs to gamble to supplement his income from the reports – please explain further.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Most people gamble with their own money, not by using their employer’s credit card. Plus, if you almost got prison time for gambling with your company credit card, wouldn’t most rationale people stay away from gambling? Sounds like abstaining, maybe wouldn’t be the worst idea….

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      • SSM345 says:

        Ah, even his supporters live in denial….I will leave it there. Mac needs to learn the first step if he is ever going to fix himself.

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      • Anonymous says:

        If you loose 250.000$ in one night, you have a gambling problem.
        Especially when you let the public finance it.

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  23. Kenneth Hutton says:

    So how much did it cost to get rid of the tape?

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    • Anonymous says:

      You haters just can not give it up. But our leader is not guilty. Get over it all you bright losers! Mr. Bush we love you!

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      • Anonymous says:

        You don’t love Mac, you love the handouts. Be honest!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Is this you Bernie or Capt., you are the only two that he leads anymore. Oh…wait a minute is he still even leading both of you now that he’s the Speaker?

  24. Anonymous says:

    It’s time for an exclusive interview with the casino worker now. Let’s see what SHE has to say.

    Oh and McKeeva, you’ve got a gambling problem. You need help.

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  25. Slacker says:

    Not surprising that they dropped the criminal case, it being Florida and all. Now, let’s wait for the civil case and the resultant “settlement”, with a “do not disclose” provision.

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    • violated says:

      Florida is part of the USA and has the toughest sex offender laws any where in the free world. OK moron?

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      • Anonymous says:

        it might but this was a misdemeanor not a sex crime.
        by the way he isnt “not Guilty” as many have stated. The FLA prosecutor did not comment on his guilt or innocence. rather they said they had not enough information to proceed. Thats all.

  26. Anonymous says:

    I can’t believe he just invoked God’s name. Somebody need to wash him dutty teef mout out wid soap.

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  27. Anonymous says:

    And I repeat;

    “Regarding the actual allegations – I am awaiting the release of CCTV footage. …”

    The above remark resulted in an onslaught of insults and all sorts in my direction.

    People were calling for McKeeva’s resignation, calling him all sorts of all kinda sorts … off of an arrest, NOT CHARGE, initiated by the claims of some casino worker in Florida, USA … in the absence of any concrete evidence whatsoever.

    Fortunately, some of us have been around the block enough times to sniff out b.s. when it’s in the air – or maybe it is a case of not being blinded by hatred and influenced by popular opinion and group-think.

    At the very least – give the benefit of the doubt considering the circumstances.

    I await to hear what becomes of the casino worker.
    Surely our hard-working media houses will stay on top of such a salacious story.

    Then again, maybe not, as we see very little effort was made to sensationalise this latest development when compared to the initial arrest.

    – Whodatis

    P.S. Gwan big Mac!
    Word to the wise tho … stay ya’ ass outta dem casinos from now on! If anything, go hit a few rounds with “Señor Presidente Gato-Grabber” … if need be.

    😉

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    • Knot S Smart says:

      ‘ our hard-working media houses’ Now that’s an oxymoron…

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      • Anonymous says:

        Speaking of media houses, does anyone know why the broken compass has never once published anything critical of Big Mac or Donald Trump?

        I’m not offering Alden up for sainthood, but considering the number of times that he has been castigated and vilified by Leggo Beast the publisher, it seems quite odd that they have never found anything to be critical of in the way government was managed during Big Mac’s many years of stewardship.

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    • Anonymous says:

      You say you “await to hear what becomes of the casino worker” ? LMAO. She’s out shopping for a brand new car or something else to spend her windfall $$ on. You’re as dumb as Mac if you haven’t figured that out yet.

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      • Anonymous says:

        You may want enhance your understanding of how such legal proceedings are handled in the state of Florida before you go around calling others dumb.

        Nevertheless, your ignorance will be strongly supported on this forum simply because of who is on the receiving end.

        – Who

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    • Anonymous says:

      Most of us have been able to live our whole lives without ever being accused of such things. Its easy. And why are you putting down the casino worker? If she’s so untrustworthy what does that say about the customers?

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      • Anonymous says:

        Why wouldn’t I “put down” the casino worker?

        This development proves she is an opportunist at best and a liar at worst.

        – Who

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        • Anonymous says:

          So says one of Big Mac’s basket of deplorables.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Not really. Nothing about this says opportunist. That’s just how your own mind works.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Maybe, just maybe some political pressure from CIG, in return for something of course

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        • Jotnar says:

          Don’t forget you have to say the police are part of the conspiracy as well if she is a liar – cause they said they saw the tape and it gave them enough for an arrest. They actually booked him and kept him over night in jail – you don’s do that without some reason.

          PS You are assuming she withdrew the allegation, rather than the Florida authorities deciding not to pursue for their own reasons. Whose calling who all sorts without any concrete evidence now.

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          • Anonymous says:

            I suggest you read the U.S. media reports on the dropped charges and the statement issued by the police.

            – Who

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        • Matey says:

          So you castigate people who believed Bush guilty before hard proof was delivered, but because charges are now dropped against him you say it proves the casino worker is somewhere between an opportunist and a liar. It proves no such thing. You are simply interpreting the facts the way you choose, just like those who you criticised for interpreting the facts as meaning Bush was guilty. Hypocrite. All it means is the case is not proceeding.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Tsk…tsk…tsk … what a display of dashing and scrambling in this thread below.

          It is what it is folks.

          Lesson: Don’t be so quick to jump on bandwagons – you may just be driven over the cliff edge with the masses.

          – Who

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    • Anonymous says:

      So what were the ‘cultural differences’ referring to when this first aired? Wouldn’t you think he would have just just professed his innocence? Why employ a lawyer if the video evidence shows nothing went on, just wait until it’s viewed and case dropped, pretty simple.

  28. Jotnar says:

    If you are not in a casino with your hands where they shouldn’t be then you wont have to worry about divine intervention.

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  29. Anonymous says:

    Instead of returning the bond, Big Mac has asked his lawyer to place it on Red 63 for one roll of the dice.

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  30. Anonymous says:

    Dropped charges doesn’t mean he didn’t do it. It just means it was settled outside of court ($$$$).

    He still needs to resign for embarrassing our country.

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