ACC probe underway into NHDT topsoil scandal
(CNS): Deputy Governor Franz Manderson told Opposition Leader Roy McTaggart that he could not give him any information about the allegations that topsoil and fill taken from the National Housing Development Trust site in North Side were misappropriated because the issue was under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission.
In Parliament on Thursday, Manderson also revealed that an investigation into the leak of a report to CNS about the opening of overseas offices and the Dubai Expo had been conducted and the source had not been found.
The opposition had been particularly angry about the leak of the report by the Office of the Auditor General about the mismanagement of the opening of overseas offices and Cayman’s attendance at the Dubai Expo, rather than its content, since the criticisms in the report related to the last year of the PPM administration.
Auditor General Sue Winspear had found that people had acted outside of the law, especially in the last few months of the government after the election had been called. Since then, in addition to the internal leak inquiry, there has been an investigation into Chief Officer Eric Bush, which cleared him of wrongdoing, despite Winspear’s findings.
Answering two questions from the opposition leader about investigations into alleged wrongdoing in government, Manderson gave very short responses. In relation to the leak, the DG said, “Unfortunately we were unable to identify the source of the leak.” In response to McTaggart’s question about the topsoil, Manderson said, “I can confirm that this matter is under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission and I am unable to provide further comment.”
In March CNS first reported on allegations that the soil from the newly cleared Housing Trust site had found its way to the land belonging to the chairperson of the NHDT Board. Although we sent a number of questions to officials about the matter, we never received a response. We first reached out to all those involved on 3 March and followed up twice, but we still have not received any response.
On Thursday, the opposition leader also asked Finance Minister Chirs Saunders about a proposed $400 million 30-year bullet bond to finance borrowing, which led to another short but emphatic answer. The minister said that said government was not pursuing this bond or any other kind.
Saunders had originally suggested that the government was planning to pursue such a bond to help retired homeowners get reverse mortgages as a way of helping them access their own equity and reduce their dependence on financial support from government. He did not say if alternative financing is being sought for the idea or if there has since been a policy reversal.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
Expect “short answers” from Franz Manderson on any CS matter involving accountability and good performance.
Expect volumes when it comes to excusing same or waffling on about 5K run or DG awards!
9:40 am. You ARE correct
“Junius” please say you’re joking!
I cant be soilent anymore! They should turf the Chairman out, and not muddy the waters digging down into this dirt.
The sad part this is a common practice and has been ongoing for umpteen years at this particular government entity the pact appointees are merely carrying a long standing government tradition of appropriating govt property for personal use or enrichment whether it be fuel ,water, soil or materials only the select few are even sanctioned or punished or dismissed. The new ministers minions have now included political backers now for their political donations and this unfortunately was not the only area topsoil was being taken after hours.
Why am I not surprised!!!
What the hell is the use of investigating this? If someone is found to be in the wrong, what is going to happen? Bernie Bush breached two sections of the ministerial code, and trampled over section 55 of the Constitution! Panton himself announced this. His punishment? Panton rewarded Bush with a nice paid vacation leave and “demoted” him to a PACTless Clown Car position with less work for the same pay. If they find that someone received the topsoil for private use, Panton will probably send someone to their house to spread it for them. What an effin’ JOKE this government is!
What about the pass and excuses offered by DG Manderson for his protege Eric Bush despite the Auditor General standing by her report?
https://caymannewsservice.com/2022/05/oag-stands-by-report-on-dubai-and-oseas-office-failings/
The reality is Minister Bernie Bush was sanctioned by the Premier.
Chief Officer Eric Bush was given a new job to lead one of the most important ministries PAHI given his track record by the Deputy Governor. No sanction just excuses and spin.
Seems so, doesn’t it.
Yeah. Fearsome sanction that was! Panton’s PACTless idea of a sanction is to reward misconduct by handing out a nice paid vacation and inviting Bush back to a Cabinet seat in Panton’s Clown Car in a position involving less work for the same lavish pay. If this is a “sanction”, bloody hell, I’m relatively confident we both dearly wish someone would sanction us with a paid vacation and the punishment of being able to do less work for the same pay.
Hmmm…?? If we really think about it, we can conclude that Eric Bush being given a new job to lead one of the most important ministries is, in fact a VERRRYYY severe, awful, terrible, stomach-churning, tremble-inducing, toe-curling sanction. He probably woke up many nights in a cold sweat from nightmares about being punished like that.
Welcome to Caymanistan!
Bow and kiss Sheik Mandershammoud’s ring.
3:17. Your dislike for our DG and CO Bush two outstanding Caymanians has obviously blinded you.
Bernie was found guilty and CO Bush was not. See the press release from the DG with quotes for our auditor General. I hope you are not advocating that we punish innocent Caymanians. Sorry that is not Cayman kind.
You are right that there are differences between the two cases. Bernie decide to interfere with and override decisions on the DG and his civil servants. Eric Bush is a civil servant and a protégé of the DG. Added to which the UK government wanted Cayman to pay for the Dubai expo, so any suggestions it was untoward hit a raw nerve. The only independent person in all of this is the Auditor General. So an object lesson on who really runs things. Your love of the DG may have blinded you to a few things as well.
One things for sure, any natural resource that goes missing on NS has the finger prints of a certain high profile father all over it. From beach sand to coconut trees, nothing goes without him knowing.
Why is the investigation of the allegedly misappropriated top soil taking so long for the ACC to resolve or prosecute? They are not investigating a complex transaction. Has the ACC ever prosecuted anything significant?
It will require function of “following” the topsoil, which identifies the actual physical misappropriated topsoil (as it moves through time and space), before a claim can be made to give it back.
For example, imagine grain being stolen and mixed, especially after becoming mixed, it make precise identification more difficult (if not impossible).
On the other hand, if the alleged misappropriated topsoil can now be identified to be in an inherent substitute value, then “tracing” functions are necessary to conclude same, before a claim can be made to said substitute value.
Complete BS. No need to trace the topsoil or its recovery or compensation value. Itsa corruption enquiry – did people use their position or connections to obtain an advantage. Simple, and nothing to do with recovering the topsoil or getting paid for it. It was either illegally removed, or it wasn’t, and if it was, returning ot or paying for it does not extinguish the offence.
And of course there is also the very simple and straightforward question of potential theft. Was there, or wasn’t there? Where are the damn police on this?
“Junius” please say you’re joking!
@2:20:
Are you freaking SERIOUS? This sounds like some mindless gobbledygookgobble that the Panton-PACTless Clown Car members might utter. They would probably call for a forensic study complete with spectrographic testing and a team of experts called in from the UK. Then they would have to call for public meetings in all districts and appoint a special group for input into the issue. This should not take PACTless any more then five years or so.
However, outside of La-La Land, here on planet Earth things are done a bit differently. Theft cases are very often prosecuted well after the criminal has disposed of the stolen goods. A solid case can be made using circumstantial evidence and testimony from reliable witnesses. The inept fumbling Clown Car needs to turn this over to RCIPS for investigation.
No and not about to either thank you very much!
Don’t you worry Roy, we will catch whoever leaked that story to CNS even if it means bringing in Scotland Yard & MI16. Hell maybe James Bond might want to take a look into it!
Oh you clown @1.46. Got a clown car for your birthday and can’t stop saying “clown car’.
I wonder if any other soil found its way to other yards or property belonging to connected to NDHT people?
This would not be in the least bit surprising as some shady connected characters come to mind.
If it has, it should be dealt with. The shady practices, where blind eyes are turned, need to be confronted head on. PPM way of doing things.
The Civil service run these islands and have supported or destroyed multiple elected governments.
There are zero consequences for poor performances or non-performers in the civil service. It’s all about who you know that hold secrets or favors for each other. That usually leads to promotions and more opportunities to screw up.
The “Peter Principle” is how the system works and those loyal are rewarded.
Politicians are held accountable at the polls during elections.
When will the civil service and its management be held accountable?
Very accurate. The “Peter Principle” is rampant in the Cayman Islands. The Premier is also the product of the Peter Principle in the private sector.
What the Leader of the Opposition should explain is why he didn’t insist that Cabinet rescind the approvals that had been given to Eric Bush in January after the Governor humoured the then-Premier’s request for early elections on 10 February.
Without him going to the LA/Fin Comm to get their blessing, the approvals that Eric had been given were worthless. But that would be taking responsibility.
As for the investigation into the ‘leak’ by the Det Sgt Martin Clouseau and Det Const Franz Clouseau, no one expected them to solve anything.
Well said.
I am quite interested in what the true story is with this alleged misappropriation of topsoil. Hope the ACC swiftly sifts this one out.
And, if there has indeed been an actual misappropriation of topsoil, hopefully there will be proprietary restitution (a restitutionary right in rem) made to NHDT to reverse an unjust enrichment at the expense of the NHDT.
You’ve been reading those books again, haven’t you?
Yes, I have + case-law. 😁
I join you, Mr. Orrie, in having hope. I fear I have much, much less than you. In all my years, I’ve not seen much in the way of justice, or even balance.
Hope is inspirational. Fear will consume you: the only thing you have to fear is fear itself. And, please just call me “Orrie” (not “Mr. Orrie”).
God bless,
O 🙏🏻🇰🇾
I don’t believe the whole “truth” of this fiasco will ever be brought out in the open…… Or if it is, it will be immediately swept back under the rug like so many other things that seem to fade away. It’s like so many other “mis-deeds” of the government’s actions. Our goverment has bigger rugs than any government I am aware of!
As a very active and capable retiree, sick and tired of our embarrassing public services, I considered applying for a position on one of the public Commissions, per a solicitation public service announcement I saw.
When I visited the relevant CIG webpage for information, I discovered the selection of all Commissioners is the responsibility of the Deputy Governor. Game over!
I quickly closed the page and exited.
Franz Manderson is possibly even more useless than his handpicked management team that run the circus. The buck stops with him as the ruler of a dysfunctional civil service empire where his decisions are like gospel given his god like status. It is Cayman’s biggest labor union that is out of control and has been for years which is answerable to no one particularly tax payers. This is exactly how the Governor and Manderson want it to be where there is no accountability.
Please DG resign or retire asap for love of country
Few words, but powerful and true.
2:56. I have even fewer words. In fact one!
Rubbish!
10:19 clearly you are living in la la land and no nothing of our DG.
Is he the guy still employing foreign prison guards, at our expense, many months after they were caught smuggling drugs?
12:37. You are so right.
But like the DG says if everyone liked him he clearly would not be doing his job right.
Our DG does his is job effectively. He doesn’t have to pander to anyone and he doesn’t.
I know some of you are jealous of the DG and the fact that he puts Caymanians first. Suck it up he is not going to change.
So why are Caymanians still paying the salaries of drug-smuggling expatriate prison guards?
*Know*
10:19 I pity you. You prove the point that Mental Heath is everyone’s business.
Get help please. No one believes you.
#leggewasright
Legge was often wrong, but may have been right on a few things.
To 9.54 Legge did one thing right..he left, hopefully to never return. Now if we could get a few others to follow his lead.
ACC should investigate what happened to 7 years of our budgeted cycling lane infrastructure at NRA. Or the extra $100k paid to an airport marl hauler with offices across the road from PPM headquarters ahead of elections. The ACC doesn’t possibly have the resources to investigate every suspicious incident that properly needs investigation.
But the police do and still appear to do nothing in relation to maladministration or corruption. Perhaps that is what the ACC should investigate.
Not many arrests, much less prosecutions, while the general public can point to where the criminals are. How is this possible? Unless…
They are busy cracking down on the bad drivers!
Can’t provide an answer on topsoil issue because there is an ongoing investigation eh mr m – where/when have we heard that story before. Of course – when a certain President of the US couldn’t release copies of his tax returns because they were being audited by the IRS…….
Maybe Franz should ask Eric if he shared the report with his circle of friends, lodge brothers and business associates?
Certainly wonder. EB is toxic, even to Lodge. Why is EB untouchable, similar to Dr. Lee, Chuck Clifford and AG.
“ The opposition had been particularly angry about the leak of the report by the Office of the Auditor General about the mismanagement of the opening of overseas offices and Cayman’s attendance at the Dubai Expo, rather than its content, since the criticisms in the report related to the last year of the PPM administration.
Auditor General Sue Winspear had found that people had acted outside of the law, especially in the last few months of the government after the election had been called. Since then, in addition to the internal leak inquiry, there has been an investigation into Chief Officer Eric Bush, which cleared him of wrongdoing, despite Winspear’s findings.”
Eric Bush is a diehard for Sir Alden McLaughlin and the PPM. The secret pre and post election meetings held by the PPM in his home in Prospect speaks volumes about his lack of objectivity and how badly the system is broken. The Auditor General’s report exposed too much and her standing by the findings in the report in face of the farcical investigation led by the Deputy Governor Eric Bush’s boss makes a mockery of the independent investigation process. Does anyone believe the Deputy Governor would ever find or conclude his guy did anything wrong?
Well said.
DG Manderson and Governor Roper know all leaks come from the top of the civil service. So they cannot afford to embarrass themselves any further as the truth will cause the charade to unravel. It is easier to chase ghosts than address the large gorilla in the room.
Is there an island more bent than Cayman? I seriously doubt it.
BVI ?
Same dog Puppy. The BVI report reads as if it was about to Cayman, right down to cabinet status grants to criminals.
Bermuda?
Bermuda and the Cayman Islands appear to just do things more sophisticated, but not everything is above reproach. We learned well from the Brits.
Antigua.
Antigua and Barbuda have a long road ahead of them.
So many snouts in the trough.
Step aside, it’s my turn.
That’s what I’m saying, but I mean legally. It’s easier to do things the right way, where there is no need to look over your shoulder.
Another private sector board! First we had awfulreg, CIAA who struggled to find a parking solution, port authority debacle, now we have this board. Shut down these boards and return these entitles under our DG.
It’s difficult getting incriminating evidence when all the criminals work together!
So true on many levels, which reaches from public to private sector, but your sins shall find you out no matter what.
Both blue collar and especially white collar criminals, as well as both private and public sector.
The DG is currently engaged in deep in scandals and cannot manage his team or their actions look at the incompetence and nepotism on display at the senior levels. When will the ACC investigate activities and potential abuse of office by high ranking members of the civil service, their role in how decisions are made and how policies are implemented? It is long overdue.
Under the DG?! You’re joking right?!
FOLLOW the contracts and $$$$
Trace the flow of money and it will flesh out the truth. Not only contracts, but also quid pro quo to family members and friends.
Employment opportunities to MPs family and friends will show a lot more than many might expect would be so blatant. Check it out.