Gallery Staff
Feb 18, 20211 min
Although the FNM government campaigned on the pledge of integrity and transparency, National Security Minister Marvin Dames continues to abuse his power without consequence.
Back in 2017, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said that Cabinet Ministers would face “immediate termination” for “unethical behaviour.”
Apparently, the Prime Minister does not think that Dames using police officers to act as bodyguards for private citizens is unethical, or an act of corruption.
Officers from the Security Intelligence Branch (SIB) are today assigned to act as bodyguards for the wealthy Silverman couple at Ocean Club Estates.
Earlier this week, The Gallery revealed that SIB officers are routinely assigned to the Silvermans when they’re in town.
Is the Prime Minister turning a blind eye to this flagrant breach of ethics because the Silvermans donated $1 million to the FNM’s campaign?
The Prime Minister also thought Dames was fit to serve after a magistrate condemned his corrupt behaviour in the Frank Smith bribery case. In that case, the Court found that Dames improperly encouraged Smith’s accuser Barbara Hanna to make a complaint. Hanna exposed this pressure when she told the magistrate, “I don’t want to be here. I feel that I’m being used.” She added, “As far as I am concerned I am not the one who went to the police. That is how I feel about the situation.”
After he quit the police force, Dames started a security firm, which did work for the Silvermans. Obviously Dames has continued his business relationship with the Silvermans. It seems that Dames believes that the police now work for his private firm—which he should have severed ties from— instead of the Bahamian people.