Fraudster given seat on transport board
(CNS): Edlin Myles, who was convicted of using his previous position on a government board to con would-be tenants of the housing trust to buy insurance from him, has been appointed to the Public Transport Board. Despite being given a six-month sentence for the significant fraud and breach of the public’s trust when he was the deputy chair of the National Housing and Development Trust, the PACT Government has given Myles a seat on another oversight board.
This one deals with the approval of licences for watersports operators, taxi and limousine drivers, as well as regular, school and tour buses. According to the Cabinet note reflecting governments meeting last week, Myles (69) is joined by Patricia Ulett, Colin Redden and Colleen Burke as new members of the board.
The George Town man, once a prominent member of the defunct United Democratic Party and a well known local musician, was found guilty of seven counts of obtaining or attempting to obtain a pecuniary advantage in 2014, after he told clients of the government low-cost housing scheme that they had to buy insurance from him in order to secure one of the trust’s homes.
As the deputy chair of the board governing the housing project, he was in a position of trust and the clients believed that they had to do what Myles said, even though they despite struggled to find the cash.
At the time the judge pointed to the breach of trust and how Myles had abused his position for his own advantage. Myles appealed the sentence and conviction and managed to secure bail for almost 18 months as he awaited the appeal hearing.
But on the day of the appeal in November 2015, he dropped his appeal against the conviction and instead appealed the jail time. However, the higher court upheld the six-month sentence because of the beach of trust and what was described as the “egregious nature” of the crime, in which Myles had used his position to manipulate those who could least afford it.
See Cabinet Post Meeting Summaries in the CNS Library.
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Category: Government Administration, Politics
‘world class’ as usual from cig and no-plan-pact…..zzzzz
any comment mr governor???…..is this good governance?
“I agree with everything the Premier and Kenny have said”
What do you expect! This is a government that became corrupt even before taking office. Newly elected members were supposedly offered 7-figure sums to jump ship and did, and jumped again. That said, half the people in government (any government) should be in jail anyway. Some sold off the country and not just a few people who were trying to buy insurance. Squash the whole thing. It does not matter!!!
The Commission on Standards in Public Life – Missing in (in)action???
What say you Governor Roper?
This whole banana republic screams incompetence anyway. Whats the difference? Atleast you know the facts before it happens. The real crime here is letting it continously happen over and over and not doing anything about it. Stand up for yourself Cayman. You look like idiots and morons. If you keep looking like morons you eventually become one. If it isn’t there already.
Direct rule inbound within the next 8 years. Those are the rumours floating around the FCDO wine bars in Whitehall.
Do not think mother Britain doesn’t keep a close eye on one of it’s jewels in the Crown. BVI and T&C, Cayman is not and they won’t let it end up that way.
we casn only pray…
This is slightly different, Edlin is only a member. PACT usually appoints a convicted criminal to at least Deputy Chairman.
Section 2.2 of the Ministerial Code of Conduct states:
“Ministers are required to behave in a way that protects the integrity of the decision-making process and upholds the highest standards of propriety”
Clearly this decision shows that Kenny has a novel if not unique understanding of integrity and propriety. Perhaps literacy should be taught at Northward.
He’s a disgrace, plain and simple. If you won’t spell it out I will.
This is so wrong to let a convicted person back on a board here please!!!this government are really scraping the barrel now
And there so wrong to do this !!!!
Welcome to the final Colonial Frontier. There are surely a bunch of Mandarins back in the Motherland laughing their bollocks off at this.
Roper must be palming his face as hard as possible explaining this tragic comedy to his peers at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Young Caymanians, step up soon, this will end up like BVI and T&C if you don’t get a grid on these Jamrock crooks taking you all for a ride.
Message received. No need to worry. Next election will significant change for the better.
Why are we blacklisted again? For crap like this!
Really a sad day for ethics and public standards – SMH
So if anyone is unqualified or prohibited from getting a public transport license but wants a public transport license we now know the person to go to. And some say that PACT is not transparent.
BTW Does anyone know if the C in PACT stand for corrupt?
#leggewasright
Shining examples of the best PACT has to offer – the appointer and the appointee.
Kenny just looking to take people’s attention from the Omicron infected tourists coming to Cayman on that ship next week so he appointed this man to one of the boards he controls.
A new director on NHDT board served 7 years in jail for drug possession. Should they be allowed to serve on any board?
Not all, but many appointments over the last 21 years, in particular, have been very suspect.
I personally know and like Mr. Myles, although he also tried to sell me and other’s insurance policies that did not exist (i.e., fraudulent insurance).
The PACT, unfortunately, is in a very precarious position. If they were competent, which they are not, they would be in a position, where they are damned if they do or damned if they don’t do things right (or, at least, right in the public’s eyes).
To make it worse, the PACT will be a one-term Government. FACTS!!! And, while the PPM is strategizing to get back in power, they can never be trust with being in power ever again.
Alden McLaughlin is not leadership material (although he does possess leadership abilities).
Our Hon. Premier, Wayne Panton, possesses zero leadership qualities: he is a joke, and not a funny one. Poor Wayne is out there in la la land and is of no use to Cayman. However, we need Wayne to hold the fort, for better or worse, until a new fresh set of competent Caymanians finally take back the reins.
Mr. Myles should not have been appointed, but that shows where the PACT’s value system is at: no better than the PPM’s value system.
I hope the voting public takes note of the embarrassing and horrible leadership that the Cayman Islands have had for over two decades.
Next election please vote responsibly, because there will be an alternative option for allied and aligned Caymanians, who will say what they mean and mean what they say. Manifesto will accompany the announcement in due course.
Let’s learn from our mistakes and do better in the future. Merry Christmas to all.
God bless
21 @ 7:50pm – I agree with most of what you said but would like to offer the alternatives:
a. PACT will likely be a one-term government, in fact it may not survive one term. But, please don’t take your eyes off some who presently make-up PACT.
b. As to Wayne Panton “holding on”, he’ll be a half-term leader and then Wayne Who?
c. You’re right but waiting for capable young Caymanians to step up, sorry not anytime soon. Those genuinely attuned to the “hand-out” culture that is Cayman politics probably wouldn’t want to get involved. I get a sense of buyer’s remorse – where do you see MP Andre Ebanks in a few years (successful in the private sector is my take)? Remember ex-MLA Winston Connolly? There’s a good example of a capable young Caymanian. What happened to him? Our present “political system” does not necessarily attract or retain those with necessary attributes – well educated and principled being among those.
d. And to that last point – next election vote for who, the same pallette of populists?
Look on the bright side – at least we don’t have a convicted drug dealer as a minister and a degenerate drunkard woman beater as speaker.
Oh, wait…
Hahaaa you almost had me
Based.
MACT
Shame on you Edlin for accepting this position. After all you did last time and not even an apology. Have you no shame?
Wonder who in government circles as he got some dirt on?
I’ve known Edlin for over 50 years and I’m sorry to say this but, it would be easier for CNS to compile a list of PACT Boards where there is NOT at least one member who has been convicted of a crime, or so guilty by association that everybody knows what they did even if they were never charged.
But he is from the private sector. Why are we worried?
PACT should be ashamed of themselves at least the Primier should be ashamed of the himself.
And they demanded a police background check on me just for the privilege of parking my millions $ here LOL
They’ve created so many public sector jobs, even the convicted are given your money for life.
Has he ever apologized for what he did? I believe in forgiveness and giving people a second chance, however, if he has never apologized and taken responsibility for his actions I don’t see how he could be appointed to sit on another government board. That said, does any of this really surprise anyone?
Missing question n answer:
Is he volunteering his time to benefit the country..or is it a paid position??
Seriously.
They’re not even trying to hide it anymore… this entire government is one big joke.
Do you need a criminal record as a qualification to sit on the board of a statutory board.
There is a large pool of Cayman status holders here many of whom are 1. highly qualified in their professions and 2. honest with no convictions of any sort. It is now time that they be allowed to represent the very large expatriate community by election of several of them as M.P’s, this will go a long way to reducing corruption in Government.
The day that thought begins to manifest all ona bett
A pick up ya bundle and leave and go, for that will be the end of the passive attitude you have come to be used to. Shatner.
This reply is the perfect example of why many Caymanians are not fit to hold public office.
Most politicians are in it for what they can get, especially true in Cayman. Not yet quite as bad, as the US or the UK. So therefore are they then, following your narrow minded opinion, also not fit for office.
Having said that, I think having former expatriates as MP’s here in Cayman, would be beneficial to all who can these small islands home. It is going to happen soon anyway with their children being born here. Just like most of the MP’s currently in office. After all we all want more diversity and inclusion .
….exactly the level of education and use of the English language that exemplifies the real need for ALL citizens to be called upon and allowed to serve on boards and run for election.
Large pool of honest Caymanians by birth who are highly qualified and honest with no convictions who could and should be appointed before any status holders are considered. They will not get a look in because they are honest and not in the cronies group.
Really, where are they? I disagree with your assertion.
Brigitte KirkConnell
Woody Foster
Dax Foster
Brett Basdeo
Dan Scott
Soon come !!
Wayne needs to locate his cajoneys and fast
If he is lucky Mac and the boys will let him look at them for a few minutes on Christmas Day.
Panton is an embarrassment at this point.
By the sounds of things, he may need to ask Mac for permission to begin that search. He has surrounded himself with politicians who will undermine his efforts for personal gain without a second thought. It is not too late to reconsider that 4 – 4 split.
They went missing the same time as his principles – the day of the election
Isn’t there some sort of law that says that people convicted of fraud can’t serve on government boards? I need to prove lack of criminal convictions to cima to be a director of a private company so why no such standards for those on public sector boards?! ( i know the answer, sadly)
What are the odds that a person with a criminal conviction would be in charge of appointing other people with criminal convictions to public boards:
A) in Cayman,
B) anywhere that is not a banana republic
When you have two or three convicts in government, plus a totally unaccountable Civil Service, why is this a surprise?
Is anyone really surprised that a government including persons convicted of criminal offenses would in turn appoint people with criminal convictions to government boards?
CNS – good article but there is one point that may be correct in terms of technicality but wrong in terms of a functionality . Specifically, the statement, ” the defunct United Democratic Party”, would be more accurate IMHO if it stated “the renamed UDP party aka PACT”.
You have got to be joking, a 69 year old convicted of fraud is allowed anywhere near a Government Board.
I thought the recruitment of John John meant PACT was finally looking to move away from Mac and his cronies. I was wrong. John John just made Mac’s majority even bigger.
I’ve been giving them the benefit of the doubt (beyond that I’ve defended them and their decisions) thus far, but even I have to admit now that this Govt is a disgrace.
Unbelievable. It’s just one thing after another with PACT. It’s sad that we just stand by and let these things happen.no one is accountable.
Truly we are so unforgiving. SMH
Forgiving is one thing. Reappointing to a government board is another. You get the government you are willing to tolerate.
Will he now sell insurance to the water sports..
I wonder what he will tell applicants they have to do , this time round, to get a license.
LOL seems legit.
What the actual F$ck?!
Can’t we find any honest Caymanians these days? Is there no one who can be trusted? Surely we don’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel and put convicted criminals back in the exact same position where they abused power last time.
Our islands have a bleak future if all of those in power just keep lining their own pockets, and are allowed to do so.
Oh yeah, this will demonstrate to the FATF that we are a clean new and improved operation. Can’t even make this stuff up.
Can place their own over 60 in a job and fraudster too. Spreads quicker than Omicron.
We have to stop this recycling of past political allies no matter what party.
Why is it that we cannot appoint younger, more progressive people to some of these boards. I’m talking about people men and women between the ages of 25 and 45 years that are innovative and have the best interests of the country at heart and not these old heads that are hanging on just because they are friends.
Anyone convicted of misusing his position got his own gain on one of these boards should never “ever” be placed on another one. This man has never even apologized for what he did. He spent a few months in jail for what he did. He got off easy and it is not right to give him the opportunity to do this once again.
Kenneth, this is one time I strongly disagree with you. If you want to help Edlin this is not the best way to do that..Edlin, if I were you, I would step down gracefully and move away and not draw more negative attention to yourself. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable this is for the other members.
OMG!!! It seems to be a pre requisite these days to have a criminal record to be on a CIG appointed Board. WTH!
He would actually be unable to run for parliament – even though the rules allow people like Kenny, Austin and Dwayne to run – but apparently a dishonesty conviction is no barrier to an appointment onto a position of public trust. Cant make it up. Hell, may as well give him a job at DVLC whilst you are about it.
McBeater in charge!!!
PACT is under Mac’s control.
He part of that organization…..zzzzzzz
Did some work for him years ago. He never paid me.
That tells me everything I need to know about this man..
Looks like they have completely run out of qualified Caymanians to fill these positions. A sad indictment of the PACT government as it is clearly being run by Big Mac.
You new or wha? The UDP has been run by Mac from the beginning and he approved PACT as the new name and secured the only position with a wig as well.
There are loads of qualified caymanians. They just know better and have too much dignity to get into the dirty desperate game of politics on this Jamrock.
I know many that have been warned against throwing their hat in by people close to them because it’s a death sentence. I’m surprised T Rivers got a role back in the real
Same old same old. Amazing how crooked Cayman is. What could go wrong putting him in charge of limo licenses?
This man not going to change his spots, especially when put in a position such as this.
Pure shameless UDP appointee.
Wayne you’re too decent a man to allow this, but I guess Mac and Kenny now calling the shots.
Wayne used to be decent not seems to be the case now, with two convicted Ministers now this convicted man on government board, Mr Primier you should be ashamed of yourself