Listen to PM Browne make the announcement
Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday that Johann Hesse was sacked after court filings revealed a US$450,000 introductory commission paid in the United Kingdom in connection with the 2024 sale of the Alfa Nero superyacht.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the payment, made to Hesse’s business partner Rufus Gobat, had not been disclosed to the government. He added, however, that there is no evidence Hesse acted illegally.
Hesse was summoned to Cabinet on Wednesday after the court documents came to light. He told Cabinet the commission was part of a private business arrangement, was not linked to public funds, and that no government official, Cabinet member or relative benefited from the transaction.
Further details are expected.
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Still believe this is part of a cover-up job. I am not falling for this. Just do not trust this Administration. The Russians are not going to be fooled. KARMA they say is a female dog
It’s best the Rat talk and stop stare.
How was this commission from the sale of the yacht paid?… Who cut the check?.. 🤔
Me no even them when me see them cause me no know how them able to flex the way they flex.
So that’s it? a simple suspension and all is well. If I can pull off a $450,000us inheritance, in my pocket payment deal, a suspension means nothing to me, as a matter of fact it was expected.
Now looking at the big picture, 450,000us is a huge sum, so even if you divide it by three, it’s still a good pay off.
This is the right course of action and I commend the Honourable Prime Minister for taking quick and decisive action. We must expect more from our diplomats and other government employees. These wheeling and dealing cannot be encouraged or tolerated.
I guess the fool was “duped” again.
Oh Gaston. You take responsibility for nothing. I’ll free you this much, you’re a convincing talker, but the 🤡 of the Caribbean
His CIP passport should be revoked. It is the root of this poisonous tree….
His CIP passport should be revoked. It is the root of this poisonous tree….
Long story short the Russian lady lawyer not lying and provided evidence of some back door dealings
Now to say, as the Prime Minister is reported to have said, that there was nothing illegal about what Johann Hessey has done, says alot about the leniency with which persons who are expected to represent this country are treated. We hold them to no ethical and moral standards? Ambassadors every action should be in the best interest of the country they ‘serve’.
Why is Hesse relieved of his portfolio when there’s no evidence of wrongdoing and you have been featured in so many improprieties and still calling the shots? You are still here after the most recent one that saw more than $15mil worth of vehicles were stolen. I doubt that this is the first time you know that Hesse is a member of the clan. You are very persuasive if you were able to convince him to take the stick alone. It has to be worth more than U.S $450k
The feds are coming for you too and you can’t bribe them.
This doesnt make sense. Why relieve him if he did not disclose what seems to be his private business? I smell a rat
Let me get this straight, so Hesse was terminated because he did something that was correct? And not one person got terminated for the Public Works heist?
I listened to the Hon Prime Ministers reasons why he fired the Ambassador which sounded rather confused and contradictory to put it mildly That the Ambassador was not paid by Antigua and Barbuda and have to engage in private hustle in order to survive was regrettable and that is why we are where we are today. Ambassadors must be renumbered so that they can be culpable and answerable in these matters. It is highly inappropriate to be serving as an Ambassador and hustling to make monies in schemes involving the very country you are representing diplomatically. Diplomats, all of them must be held to a certain moral and ethical standard. It begs the question, how many more such business undertaking was he involved in over the years that brought huge commissions into his fold while serving as Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the African Union. This situation opens up a whole new can of worms.
Hesse get going, nobody tawl nuff and arrogant so🙄
My dear Antiguans, isn’t this called a ‘finders’ fee?? How many of our Gov. Ministers have earned finders fee in the past? Mr. Hesse, who didn’t get a share of the money? What hypocrisy!!
The man should just compile a list of politicians and their close associates or family who’ve received commission or finders fee or whatever else you want to call it in sums of above $300,000 US dollars. Why are we getting on like this is a big deal? Seriously? I hope people start dropping some anonymous files just to level the tf up.
Totally agree
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