Statement from Hon. Richard Lewis
Gaston Browne Misled Us and Must Come Clean on Government’s Agreement to Rent His Son’s Property
Checks at the Office of Intellectual Property have confirmed that the Prime Minister’s son is the sole owner of the property occupied by government offices on Friars Hill Road, through his sole directorship of “investment group” IF Antigua Inc.
This means that the Prime Minister, yet again, has deliberately attempted to mislead us.
On Thursday February 22, I utilized Prime Minister’s Questions to ask the Prime Minister for details about the property on Friars Hill Road currently housing the Development Control Authority (DCA), The Ministry of Lands and Housing, and the Land Office.
He responded: “Mr. Speaker that property is owned by an investment group, and I will disclose that my son has some interest in it and I’ll add here too that they are providing rent-free services to DCA.”
In his response, the Prime Minister tried to give the impression that there are multiple owners – an investment group, and his son – even though he knew that his son is the sole owner (as sole director of IF Antigua Inc).
It is also laughable that the Prime Minister referred to his son’s 1-director company as an “investment group.”
This revelation begs the question: why did Gaston Browne try to mislead the public about the true ownership of the property?
What else is he hiding from us?
The Lease Agreement, which commits the Government to paying rent at a rate of $1 per month, also authorises the making of repairs and additions to the building.
The PM stated in Parliament that cost of rent not paid (at market rates) exceeds the cost of repairs already made to the building. However we have no figures on exactly how much has been spent to improve his son’s property thus far and by how much this expenditure exceeds the fair rental value up to present.
Further, the Public deserves to know if there are plans to make additions to the property as permitted by the Lease Agreement.
The absence of verifiable information on the Government’s future plans and the real costs of this arrangement, makes the $1 per month rental highly suspicious.
At present, the taxpayers of Antigua and Barbuda have absolutely no evidence that this arrangement represents value for money, and they are justifiably concerned.
It would be evil beyond measure to have yet another Browne family creative enrichment scheme unfolding at the same time ordinary citizens are suffering under the weight of Gaston Browne’s tax onslaught and skyrocketing cost of living.
I call on the Prime Minister to fully publish all pertinent details surrounding this lease agreement, including all expenditures and plans to upgrade or add on to the property.
The tax-paying public demands and deserves answers to their many questions:
– Was the property originally owned by West Indies Oil Company?
– How did the Prime Minister’s son acquire the property?
– Was the information of the proposed sale of the property by WIOC shared with the public?
– Why did Government decide to rent property from the Prime Minister’s son, without disclosing that to the general public?
– Did the rental go out to tender before being awarded to the Prime Minister’s son?
– Was this the most reasonable priced space available on the island? And were any alternatives considered?
– Did the fact that all government offices within his son’s building fall under the Ministerial Portfolio of his wife Hon. Maria Browne influence the decision? And did his wife play a part in the decision?
– Did the Government spend a fair amount on the repairs?
– How could the Prime Minister claim that what is owed in rent exceeds what the Government spent on repairs, yet be unable to give even an estimated figure on the cost to the tax-paying public?
The lack of verifiable information around this rental arrangement is completely unacceptable, reeks of nepotism, and warrants further investigation.
Government resources must be spent in a responsible and accountable way, especially by an administration who is raising taxes left and right and center.
Richard S. Lewis MP
Further information:
- The PM’s response during Question’s to Ministers on February 22:
https://www.facebook.com/voterichardlewis/posts/pfbid02AdP9g9zkwgXoVKZjWT1AhbAgc3R7MtNV977rDRbcV3YE4i9ukrdHwyqc1f7riRcZl
- The full Lease Agreement and IF Antigua Inc Company record:
https://www.facebook.com/voterichardlewis/posts/pfbid0MhRv66d46tPb7X6FhbGmBdrqnB1FHvPpSwocEaCAcz3iCyWs9wCmJsR7BjDJa6ojl
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Please jail the crooks
Self dealing is the norm with this administration. A supposed appearance of distance by putting the son or the baby mother or the father in law…
You the Minister of Finance who ultimatelt authorizes payment.
The Wife the Minister with responsibility for DCA etc
And the son the Vendor… in which universe is that ok.
And by the way this is not even an isolated incident. This is the norm..
And you supposedly not charging rent, but you are getting leasehold improvement which increases the value of the asset paid for by the government’s purse. And Jamale Pringle and dem lie dung and tek dat.
That’s why they can’t correct Cutie et al when they doing their own foolishness… Where is my All Saints East and St. Luke Rep?
From day one a lot of money has been spent on those particular buildings (they used to house a morgue which was leased and used by AUA). The buildings had very few windows and small doors and were not conducive for use for a regular business. Not only have the buildings themselves been changed up completely but when Friars Hill Road was being paved, the same machine was used to pave the road servicing the buildings and that in itself is suspicious as you wonder who paid for it! A new carpark area has been added in the back of the buildings and a building in the back has also been renovated. The whole area has been properly beautified with flower beds and is maintained and kept properly. HOWEVER, who paid for all of this? Was it us taxpayers or was it the person leasing the building (owners?) or was it the Government? Those buildings were/are owned by WIOC. Keep an eye on the warehouses to the West of this development, which are in bad shape. I wouldn’t be surprised if these are phase II of their plan. The lack of interest by the taxpayer to demand to know where the money is going is mind-boggling. The voters get what they deserve.
I absolutely agree with Richard on this. Nothing is free. We need to know what the real deal is. Also while you’re at it go to Parliament and make it law that the public must be provided with transparent information about all property belonging to government including all of the land that is being converted from agricultural to residential.
Pertinent questions posed by Richard, that require honest answers. If you ask me, the ONDCP and the Integrity Commission should launch investigations into this “deal” as there is a clear case of insider dealing (trading), nepotism, and ultimately money laundering (to clean up the money earned from this questionable arrangement).
Richard questions how this could be an investment group when there is a single director. Maybe, just maybe, there are “silent” investors and Andron is holding some of the shares in trust for them. There are more questions than answers, but the public is entitled to a full and honest explanation of what transpired with this deal that stinks to high heaven.
Members of 268… Ministers of government have been strategically placed!! This is no surprise to me. And … Please people pay attention and read between the lines of what is said in our Thursday rants with Hurst. If MP Lewis keeps digging, I’m sure he will come up with some jaw dropping revelations. Now, do we understand why government needs more of our hard earned (small bit) money? Answer: ENRICHMENT!!
This revelation is only the tip of the iceberg. More in the mortar than the pestle.
This administration stinks to the skies. It is rotten from the top downwards with its body attracting insects to its smell. The question that needs to be asked is: why do some people enter the political arena, is it for the noble reason of wanting to help to improve the well being of your fellow citizens or more sinisterly to fatten their threadbare wallets? This doesn’t paint a pretty picture. Think Creative Enrichment and the answer might be found lying there. Sad.
“Mislead” what!!!
Let’s call it for what it really is. If he’s not going to be transparent with this, then it seems like a sure case of ‘wealth dissimulation’ without a shadow of a doubt, by a Minister in the highest seat in office.
ABLP, please put Daryl Matthew’s in charge before it’s too late for this country to rectify the utter mess and chaos going on in Antigua & Barbuda.
GREAT COUNTRY, BUT WE HAVE A SELF-ENRICHED JACKASS IN CHARGE.
LORD HELP US PLEASE …🙏🏽
“IF Antigua Inc” stands for INVESTMENT FACILITATION ANTIGUA. This means that Gaston jr is paid to introduce investors to his Daddy to get what they want. Tell me that is not nepotism and corruption to the core. I am sick of this man. Where does Gaston jr get all of this money?
It’s the appearance of impropriety and nepotism that I am most worried about. As leaders we have to be mindful of the signals that we send to others. I really wish that in the interest of transparency and good governance that this business arrangement was not done. It would only lead to speculation and accusation of unseemliness. Was a bad decision to allow this to happen.
Strange that its not noticed that the info is from 2014 yet the PM’s statement is from 2024, nothing changed in a decade? As far as the lease, is it the expectation that not only should they essentially get it rent free, that the owner should also pay for it to be customized to meet their needs. Changes made to suit the tenants are normally done on the tenants dime. UPP people always expect everyone to think their own dirty thoughts.
“STRANGE THAT ITS NOT NOTICED THAT THE INFO IS FROM 2014 YET THE PM’S STATEMENT IS FROM 2024, NOTHING CHANGED IN A DECADE”?
We do not always agree, but the exact same thing came to my mind when I saw the stamp.
Well, we will hear the rebuttal, if there is one, or persons will just take the information as being true.
If the information turns out to be incorrect,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
@ tenman
OK foolish VIRGIN!!!
There’s a surprise! Tenman defending the indefensible once again.
He’s Just making himself look a bigger fool than we all thought that he was.
No worries though, he seems to be conducting himself like the former embarrassing loudmouth @ From The Sideline; and he’s had to go underground because of his blind support of Gaston Browne’s outrageous self-enriched behavior.
GASTONITES LIKE TENMAN ARE WORSE THAN ABLP ACOLYTES…
@Tenman
Man O-man: you have lost your mojo for obfuscation. The 2014 date and the address represent a date when he was a lowly student attending a diploma mill known as Monroe college.
Father and son lacks the sophistication not to use the address of the main office of Monroe College where he was in attendance. Or it may have been their sloppy way of hiding what they were doing.
There needs to be an explanation of a student purchasing a prime piece of real estate while attending school in a foreign country.
Tenman,
You further made a stupid ascertain about what’s called “tenant installation” or “white box obligation” in the real estate industry. Until we see the full lease; my guess is that your assertions are wrong! wrong! wrong!
What we are looking at is only the NOTICE OF DIRECTORS. We need to see the Lease and any amendments to the Lease.
ITS TIME FOR THE BROWNES TO COME CLEAN .. BUT I QUESTION IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO.
CountryMan you missed the part of the artcile where they provided the url for the lease (its at the end)? Let me disclose, in the past I have rented property to government and the fact is whenever additional customization is required, the tenant (in my case public works)pays for it. Not sure why anyone would want to make a big deal of this issue because paying for it directly is always cheaper than having the landlord include it in the rent.
@tenman, and what’s the relevance of the date……?
This administration is running more like “The Lodge” than a political party that’s in it for the people.
If this sickens y’all, you better believe that y’all were warned over and over about this deceptive, sleazeball of an administration.
This damn corrupt PM, took the page straight out of Donald Trump book to rarse.
Yes we all know that many politicians are corrupt, but doing it blatantly straight in y’all faces, got to be the most pompous thing I’ve ever seen in politics. This is worse than Poppa Duck to backside..
A damn shame indeed, that smart Antiguan’s voted for this man for 3 terms..
Y’all remember the former Mayor of Detroit, the Fitzpatrick guy who got 25yrs in prison?
This is what’s going on here in Antigua, right out in John public for all to see..just amazing.
I am not a fan of neither ALP or UPP but certainly UPP has to be the better of the two evils. I hope you people are not foolish enough to put back ABLP more so with Gaston as leader. The crookish behaviour of this man knows no boundaries.
Asking a lawyer…
The document is Notice of a Director.
Is that used to ADD a Director to the existing company directors after a company is formed?
Or
Is it the document used when registering the initial company?
I ask because Mr Lewis doesn’t mention date of incorporation of IF ANTIGUA Inc. in his findings.
Not quarrelling with anyone, just need to understand the legal dates timeline to understand the situation more clearly.
The characteristics of leadership. Ask questions that has national implications, not just for social media hits.
Follow up on those questions and back your opponents into a corner until the nation is given answers.
“back your opponents into a corner” The opponents don’t respect the people of Antigua and the opposition and will never get answers. The big boss is answerable to no one. In any other democracy he would have been made to resign and jailed a long time ago. He knows his supporters are satisfied being beggars or part of the corruption so he will continue to enrich himself and family with the peoples assets. He will just throw a few bones to some of his enablers to keep them in line.
Antiguans don’t protest or stand up for anything in Antigua.. they will all post on their social media about America elections and say how they can’t believe America elect trump but yet they have their own trump in Gaston .. hospital is a mess .. no running water and all corruption but no body putting anything on social media or protesting but they all in America business .. America will always be good .. little Antigua need to mind their business and make a change .. every other Caribbean island is doing better than them… st Lucia, Barbados, St Kitts ..:Antigua is Trash
@Islanman26
Gastone Browne is the Caribbean Donald Trump
TRUMP the perpetual liar calls so called site “TRUTH” social This morning Gaston Browne use the theme and headline “TRUTH” in his paper. to lie about Barbuda. Like trump it’s all lies.
With his adaptation of lies he wants to fool people as the TRUTH he has proven to be
“Gaston Browne: Trump of The Caribbean”
I’ll be copyrighting and selling those t-shirts shortly
@Lenny
Politicians will get away anything as is the case in Antigua and Barbuda.
Democracies thrive when Civil Society members are active in ensuring the political class are held accountable.
The church leaders avoids teaching that they find inconvenient to their business interests and political agendas.
The Ecumenicals are in bed with the ALBP and pray over them at Cabinet Meetings as they put together their enrichment plans.
In other places we call the charlatans and scum bags
Ah wa DAVE RAY to mansplain this
This is a clear EXAMPLE abuse of power
Gaston thinks he’s more smarter than the average Antiguans… AL of STANDFORD PROPERTIES SIKA OWNS…..
ITS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST THAT THE GOVERNMENT RENTS FROM HIS OWN BUT OR RENTS DIRECTLY FROM FAMILY MEMBERS
How sika get money to purchase ALL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS ….
This is why RICHARD LEWIS HAS TO LEAD UPP
THIS YA SMALL POTATOES WHEN COMPARED TO THE OWNERSHIP OF LIAT (2020) WHO OWNS THE HIDDEN 45%.
IT’S GOOD TO WORRY ABOUT THE DCA LEASE. BUT HOW ABOUT HALF OF THE OWNERSHIP OF LIAT (2020)
Well done MP Richard Lewis,great investigations and updates on this matter.In the Country where I am living. Someone would be in the Courts with Prison staring them in the face.
Chups.Look ways to try and find investors to bring to Antigua or sit down with your colleagues and try start a business to generate funds.
Start some small business. Seek for investment from your supporters overseas. Do something man.
NB. Show the Antigua public that you can bring bigger things to the table,stop watching and try to undermine the government.
Look so much things UPP did and never go to court.
Fencing, road works,ect. Yet you all quick and ready to send Hon Gaston Brown and son to court and prison.
Opposition must have a good plan to show the people, that you are not just finding faults. Try to out do the government.
You will all be in that position. Antigua nice and going great , what you want to do ? Take it back to fifteen years ago ? No way .Some of you want a plata put in front of you all. Time gone with this hand to hand from government.
You all need to get up and put 1 and 1 together so it can make 2.
Some of you leave Antigua and come a foreign and will do anything fe get US and Canadian dollars and English pounds. Have the same mentality in you all countries.
I see the prime minister planting some nice vegetables and rasing pigs. Although I don’t eat or touch that thing.Come together and do something. Antiguan needs to produce there own food. You all have the lands. Go to government and demand lands for agriculture . Ask for money to start small business and expand with your family, friends ect.
Stop hating people , start to love yourself.
I might sound bias but look it’s the truth.
Government must find funds to give for small business.
Stop undermining.
@Margaret
You forgot to notice that the big boss farm has government water, light and proper roads. Many farmers have to give up because of no water. You should ask yourself how come he has the biggest and most successful farm in Antigua. And who controls government resources.
Also ask yourself who has to approve any investor. And just be reminded that the government people will just steal any good investment idea as they have done in the past.
@Margeret
Your rambling is a bit embarrassing
But let me try to address your points You are of the opinion that opposing party members should have a plan to show their investors. Point out what and where have you seen such a thing; or who did you learn that idiocy from.
It illustrates how dumb you are about economic development and the role of an opposition party.
You have been miseducated and now you are misinformed
You think that the misuse of public resources are to be applauded.
You disparage those who leave for a better life
You would never understand the concept of abuse of the law, which contradict bedrock principles of our Country, and fundamentally undermine the rule of law in Antigua and Barbuda.
You fail to understand that Gaston Browne hates you and people like you.
He thinks your role in life for him is to use people that thinks like you and abuse you.
Hope one day you wake up
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