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About two years ago, people in Saint Kitts and Nevis got information that MSR Media, a film company apparently owned by a French citizen, had sued a former Prime Minister, the then Prime Minister, a former CEO of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, and several other prominent individuals.
From the onset, the case seemed to us to be a nothing burger – a dramatic action lacking in substance. It was a case that appeared to be driven by circumstances other than exposing any perceived impropriety.
For two years, the aforementioned French citizen Philippe Martinez, a film producer, paraded on various Caribbean television stations and other media that would give him access. The interviews were palpably superficial. It almost seemed as though Martinez was preparing the questions and pre-writing the answers to present himself as convincing as possible.
There were questions from the very beginning: How could a person who suddenly appeared on the scene – first of all in Barbados, and ending up in Saint Kitts and Nevis – be able to attract significant monthly remuneration for productions which would at best turn out to be C-class movies? Certainly nothing that would appear in the mainstream.
Somehow this previously unknown individual convinced Nevis’ leadership to buy into his grandiose dreams, was afforded lavish accommodation at hotels, and in the end, even spoke about purchasing a hotel – something which remains a mystery.
The bottom line is that for Philippe Martinez to have been able to parade in the manner that he was doing spoke volumes; he was clearly receiving assistance and encouragement from certain quarters in Saint Kitts and Nevis – more likely than not it was politicians.
There were numerous accusations, many of which have not been proven, but for Martinez to have obtained personal emails and WhatsApp messages of individuals, tells us that there was support beyond the norm. Were there instances of blackmail? We’ll never know.
Whatever may have transpired, we are happy that this sordid ordeal has ended. We had two of our former Prime Ministers, Dr. Denzil Douglas and Dr. Timothy Harris, upstanding citizens, having their names being unnecessarily dragged through the mud. Throughout they have behaved like the statesmen they are known to be.
Lessons must be learnt from this. It is our hope that our politicians are more careful in future. Instead of supporting these fly-by-night, so-called investors of Martinez’s ilk, we would be better served if those monies are invested in creating much-needed skillsets and financing for young entrepreneurs in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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