Astaphan Backs Use of Public Funds for PM’s Legal Fees in Alfa Nero Case
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan has defended the Antigua and Barbuda Cabinet’s decision to cover Prime Minister Gaston Browne’s legal fees in the Alfa Nero court battle, insisting the matter stems from official government business.
Astaphan argued that the Prime Minister was targeted specifically in his capacity as head of government, and therefore, public funds should be used to defend the state’s actions. “An attack on him is an attack on the country,” he said.
However, the move has sparked public concern over the mounting legal costs, with critics questioning whether taxpayers should shoulder the burden of a lawsuit involving powerful foreign interests. “How are we going to afford this problem brought by people who have more money than our national budget?” a caller asked on a local radio programme.
Astaphan maintains that the government has acted appropriately, stating, “Had he not been Prime Minister, this would never have happened.”
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If the UPP employed him to give a legal position on the matter, what do you think he will tell the UPP?
Whether the fees are justified or not, how did we end up in a lawsuit with people who can bury us financially? What safeguards does our government have in place before jumping into murky international waters?
Only in Antigua and Barbuda can a Prime Minister saddle us with a luxury-yacht legal crisis and expect us to thank him for it. This government is bleeding public funds while citizens struggle with healthcare, housing, and jobs.
Every time something big like this happens, it’s the poor man who ends up paying for the fallout. When will leadership start being financially accountable for their own decisions?
If the PM acted on behalf of the government, then fine, but we need transparency. Was this really government business or a personal overreach disguised as such? The people deserve to see the documents before footing the bill.
“Had he not been Prime Minister, this would never have happened.”
Seems like this idiot do not understand, had he not been Prime Minister, what is happening now would never have happened (l.o.l.).
We will see what happen in the Courts.
I suspect that if a certain person is not successful, charges of malfeasance in public office will come in the future.
🤔 I don’t normally comment on political stuffs but, I’m just wondering why? U know it’s just a question. Don’t badge me. Did the public also pay for that defamation case in Grenada, where the Pm. Lost and had to pay millions to the other party? I’m just asking, because I just want to know if the PM CANNOT AFFORD HIS OWN LEGAL FEES. God is watching. I’m not judging and I don’t know how the government set up. I’m just asking. U know life is hard while ministers get everything free. Light water gas phone cars food at friends restaurants free drinks, and still public paying for stuffs. Where is u all conscience. Have some mercy on poor people. We have to pay for everything that just keep rising in prices. People God is watching. Pm I voted for you and will vote for you again because I’ve always admire your leadership ways long before you were PM. Bur just please watch yourself with God.
Once a matter come up illegally and it of national concern,the government have to do whatever it’s takes to protect the economy of the country….
If the UPP, really did love Antigua and Barbuda,And the Leader as well…
Everything would have been okay
Honestly speaking having a opposition party that doesn’t care about good governance,that party will never see the good of the government….
I have said it many times and I will say it again. The level of ignorance and stupidity in this country is unprecendented for a country that has had free education for all, for decades. Secondly read, research and understand the issues before you open your mouth. Alfa Nero was sanctioned by the mighty USA. We are a tiny country very dependent on the USA. Under the sanction, anyone or country that did business with a sanctioned entity was also liable to sanction. Alfa Nero was abandoned. Staff was not being paid, local suppliers were owed. Since it was sanctioned and without fuel to move or staff, it could not be moved. It was a danger to the yachting industry as if a hurricane came and God forbid, it sank in Falmouth Harbour that would have been the end of the yachting industry which employs hundreds and contributes millions to the economy. There is no salvage company in the Caribbean that could raise a sunk vessel of this size. Ask St. Maarten what happened to their yachting industry in 2017 after boats sank at marinas during the hurricances. Quite a few times the government had to buy fuel to move Alfa Nero during storms and also had to pay to maintain a skeleton crew for just these emergencies. All of this well before the yacht was nationalised. And all of this time there was no owner and no one taking responsibility. The government did what any responsible government had to do. This is a superyacht that takes 75,000 gallons of fuel with a crew of 25 to operate. This is not a small sail boat.
What if the ruling goes against him after spending our money on legal fees? He hasn’t even been charged with anything so what is the real issue?
Must back that since he is on the payroll