Antigua and Barbuda Prepares Legal Defense Against Allegations Made in U.S. Court Over Alfa Nero

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The Antigua and Barbuda government has confirmed that it is assembling a legal defense team to fight a U.S. court subpoena involving Prime Minister Gaston Browne, his family, and several government officials.

During the Post-Cabinet Media Briefing, Ambassador Lionel Hurst dismissed the case as “frivolous” and “filled with untruths,” maintaining that the U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over the matter.

“We do not believe that U.S. courts have any authority to subpoena the head of government, bankers, and others because of a claim that cannot be supported by evidence,” Hurst stated.

The government has retained a U.S. law firm to challenge the subpoenas, though officials did not immediately disclose its name. Local legal counsel includes Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin and senior counsel Anthony Astafan, who will coordinate the defense in Antigua and Barbuda.

While the total legal costs remain uncertain, Hurst revealed that the initial retainer fee for the U.S. law firm is $35,000 (USD), approximately $100,000 (XCD). Additional legal expenses are expected as the case progresses.

Hurst did not confirm whether taxpayer funds would cover legal costs but insisted that the government must defend itself against what it views as a politically motivated lawsuit.

“We have a responsibility to defend ourselves, because if we don’t, the courts could issue a default judgment in favour of the plaintiff,” he explained.

The lawsuit stems from the confiscation and sale of the Alfa Nero superyacht, which the government declared abandoned and sold for $40 million. The case has sparked allegations of financial misconduct, which the government has repeatedly denied.

Critics have raised transparency concerns regarding the use of public funds for legal defense. However, Hurst rejected accusations of wrongdoing, arguing that the sale of the Alfa Nero was conducted lawfully and that funds have been accounted for publicly.

Meanwhile, the government is preparing for potential legal battles in other jurisdictions, as the plaintiff has reportedly filed similar claims in Russia and the UAE.

With Antigua and Barbuda’s reputation at stake, officials insist they will vigorously contest the allegations, warning that they may pursue legal action for defamation against the plaintiff.

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23 COMMENTS

  4. I take major umbrage with the main headline of “Antigua and Barbuda prepares legal defence …”, mainly because it was Gaston Browne who went ahead with this sale against the wishes of the MAJORITY of Antiguans living here.

    Why should the country pay – in the long term – for the Prime Minister’s utter folly?

    His Cabinet, his Members (and hopefully, his supporters), and associates should bare the brunt of Gaston Browne’s legal campaign, and not the hardworking taxpayers.

    It seems like it was yesterday that Antiguans were PLEADING with this government not to get involved with someone else’s property.

    Just imagine if Prime Minister Browne had left an expensive item in another country, and an over officious office-bearer decided to sell the item without prior knowledge … come on now!

  5. Anyone who believes what is written here as stated by Max hurst is a fool. Taxpayer funds are being used PERIOD! Otherwise he would have gladly stated.

    First both the Governments and several individuals are personally sued, to be deposed.

    Fighting a deposition like this is a stupid waste of money. It will not be squashed.

    Neither the Government nor the individuals requested to be deposed, will be successful in squashing the deposition.

    With a legal retainer of USD $35,000; the attempt to squash the deposition will cost USD $60,000 to $70,000 unless they selected a hack lawyer off the internet.

    Depending on the number of individuals and entities being deposed, the cost could run up to USD$300,000.00
    Then there are interrogatories. Before this case gets to trial it will cost the Government of Antigua and Barbuda USD $0.5MM

    What the people needs to know is: who is being sued in their person as well as the Government. Just like the banks who will be deposed have to hire their own legal counsel, so should those individuals.

    THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR THE DEFENCE OF INDIVIDUALS ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO MAY HAVE POCKETED SOME MONEY; FOR THIS IS GOING TO EAT UP ALL THE ADDITIONAL TAXES FOR THE ROADS.

    Fasten your seat belts and hold your pockets tight.

  6. I blame the Ecumenicals who go to Cabinet and play over the activities of the Cabinet.

    I blame the attorneys in the Country who are spine less.

    I blame the Large businesses, who are primarily The Importers

    I blame the various Taxi Associations and the Unions collectively.

    These entities typically make up Civil Society in a Democracy. In the case of Antigua and Barbuda, they are spineless and selfish.

  8. The Prime Minister better get his affairs in order and ask for God’s forgiveness for all those he has wronged.
    This one is like no other. Threatening and insulting his way out of this will not work in this case.
    Anthony Asthapan is the only one who is going to come out smelling like a rose with all the money he is going to make off this.

    The Antigua and Barbuda people be the ones that going to be feeling the squeeze. They are not profiting from the kick back in the sale of the boat.

    I don’t hear anything any longer about bringing lawsuits for deformation and slander. What’s become of that?

    I hope when the PM get his millions in slander awards he uses it to cover the taxpayers cost of defending him.
    When will the public say enough is enough.

  9. OK Lie No He’ll Hurst, if the US Courts have no jurisdiction, them advice Maria, Gaston or who else is mentioned in the subpoena, not to present themselves to be deposed and see who has “jurisdiction.”
    Hurst need to stop the shit deflection.

  10. The Prime Minister is like little kid. You say one thing that hurts their feelings, and he have a temper tantrum.

    Throwing a temper tantrum against, as the call her: “The Russian woman” or the US Courts will not work. Who is he going to sue this time?

    There is no way out; she is going to clean their clocks

  11. I can remember the MP oppositions asking for more to study the bill when it was first tabled in the house…this request was denied on the grounds that it was a simple seized and sell matter. Was it? Is it? We all now know the answer

  12. It was a government operation and the proceeds for the sale went into the government’s account. There is no evidence that any of the monies went the account of Gaston Brown and others, so the legal cost must be on the government.

  13. Where is the Attorney General statement in this sordid affair!!! Brix, glad to see that you have regained your power to tackle this fraudulent government!!

  14. I would really like to know what the hell the opposition has to do with this, the Russian woman wants to get to the bottom of what transpired, it is so simple if everything was done correctly let the process play out, why use tax money that could be put better use. You all are looking sympathy by draging the opposition something that you greedy people are responsible for

  15. POINT, we all know it was a government operation, but given the alleged amount of money hawks in said government we just want to know the truth

  16. Hurst’s references to the summons as “frivolous “, shows the level of that man’s ignorance. As it is frivolous why has Gaston et al have engaged a USA ‘s law firm to represent them at the expense of Antigua and Barbuda ‘s tax payers expense? Why don’t Gaston et al simply ignore the summons and let us see how that pans out.

    Additionally, why are antiguans’ tax payers are having to foot the bill for the crooked individuals who benefitted from the sales of the Russian vessel? The general population have not benefitted. Health servic es broken, education provisions broken,infrastructure broken…the million dollar question where has the money from the sales gone?
    The buffoon was repeatedly warned against selling , but he and his wife, family members a nd cabinet were over taken by greedy it is now down to tax payers having to bare the brunt of their deceitful behaviour. Another fine mess he has got us into.

    We should wait for the homeland security to file charges for human trafficking; resulting from the fiasco with his and Olabanjo’s so called “Asylum seekers “,
    PM et al God is not sleeping…

  19. The Labourites seem to know just how serious this matter is, to the extent that they have turned their backs on the Money-Hawk without even mustering the usually
    nonsensical attempt at a defense. How did his son get involved in this? I suppose it’s the same way he made it through in all the other deals like the Friars Hill Road property rental and the Long Bay land swap. This is becoming more serious by the day.

  20. @Point
    You seem to miss the Point.
    Only the simple minded and the morally dishonest would at the Point where your are on this matter

    The court hearing will be held at The US Federal Courthouse in NYC.

    Same place where P Diddy is appearing for his preliminary hearings and will be tried.

    Be there soon with a placard and then go in and give your testimony.
    Better yet: go to the offices of Boises Schiller Flexner LLP

  21. Wait! This could be cost free to Antiguan tax payers to present the truth and not defend against something the government claim is false, I am trying to ascertain if the article said that cutie Benjamin is going to the USA as support lawyer but later read it correctly that he will be hiding in the safety of Antigua costing us some high long distance phone call to whisper to the lawyers in the USA, because cutie Benjamin dear not go to the USA territory, he might not come home, he is wanted along with the late Lester.

  22. Wait! This could be cost free to Antiguan tax payers to present the truth and not defend against something the government claim is false, I am trying to ascertain if the article said that cutie Benjamin is going to the USA as support lawyer but later read it correctly that he will be hiding in the safety of Antigua costing us some high long distance phone bills to call to whisper to the lawyers in the USA, because cutie Benjamin dear not go to the USA territory, he might not come home, he is wanted along with the late Lester.

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