Con man posing as my manager in T’dad, Buju warns
Incarcerated reggae star Buju Banton is warning concert promoters in Trinidad to be wary of an unscrupulous individual who has been attempting to scam them out of cash under the guise that he is an authorised agent for the artiste.
In a joint press release the Buju Banton Defence Support Committee and his attorney Professor Charles Ogletree warned against anyone handing over money to the unnamed individual.
“A certain individual in Trinidad has approached promoters with the false claim that he is the local agent for renowned reggae musician Buju Banton. He has further sought to swindle monies by stating he is authorised to collect funds for a concert being held for Buju Banton in Trinidad during this year. We wish to warn the public that it is totally untrue. Buju Banton has not given such rights to anyone in Trinidad. Nor is a concert being organised at this time,” the release stated.
The artiste’s interests warned of legal action if the alleged scammer is caught.
“Anyone seeking to do this would suffer legal conse-quences. We urge that you immediately inform the authorities of anyone who solicits monies from you for that purpose,” the release stated.
Buju Banton is currently serving a 10-year sentence on drug-related charges.
He was arrested at his South Florida home in December 2009 and charged with conspiracy to distribute five or more kilogrammes of cocaine.
His arrest came on the heels of a sting operation at a Drug Enforcement Agency-controlled warehouse in Tampa, which also resulted in the arrest of James Mack and Ian Thomas, who were attempting to purchase co-caine from undercover agents.
After two trials he was sentenced in a Tampa, Florida court.
However, Ogletree has filed a second appeal in the 11th US Circuit Court on February 4 claiming his client was denied a fair trial due to juror misconduct.
After Banton was sent to prison, jury foreman Teri Wright told a reporter that she had defied the order of Judge Tim Moody and studied aspects of the Pinkerton Law.
She was then ordered to hand over her computer for forensic perusal by experts hired by Banton.
However, it was discovered that she turned over an old computer and not the one she had used to study the law.
Banton has maintained his innocence and says he was entrapped by the US Government.
He is currently serving his sentence inside the Miami FCI penal facility and is set for a January 2019 release if his appeal is unsuccessful.
Company Wants To Sue Rick Ross For $200k But Can’t Find Him
British promoter Christian Ezechie of Executive Decision is looking for Rick Ross in order to serve him papers, but he cannot seem to find him, according to a recent report.
Ezechie allegedly booked Rozay and the MMG crew for a show in the UK, but claims the entertainers took his $200,000, never to perform.
Page Six reports:
During the promoter’s attempts to find Ross, a registered address for Rick Ross Touring in Miami turned out to be “a UPS store,” lawyers for Ezechie claim. A process server sent to Ross’ Miami home this week was told by a man inside, “I don’t know,” when asked how to reach him. And at Ross’ gigs, “process servers are hesitant to serve him while he is surrounded by security guards,” papers claim. Ironically, Ross is a former Florida correctional officer.
“It’s blatant robbery he’s doing, and he’s an artist worth $50 million,” exclaims Ezechie, who alleges he advanced Ross $100,000, plus about the same amount for the other Maybach acts.
He added he’s promoted gigs for Usher, Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott, but that “the Rick Ross Maybach Music tour was the biggest we have carried out.” Ezechie’s lawyer, Robert Hantman, said of Ross, “We are prepared to track him to the ends of the earth.”
The Mayback Music honcho was not available for comment.
Chris Tucker Explains Jay Z and Solange’s Elevator Fight
There are certain inevitabilities of life that must be accepted, and Solange’s fight with Jay Z in the Standard Hotel elevator being the subject of comical ridicule is one of those inevitabilities. Earlier this week, Chris Tucker spoke on the incident in a recent stand-up gig.
According to Tucker, that the only difference between Jay Z and Solange’s fight and that of the average “Black family” is that “they got caught on tape.” However, that does not stop the Rush Hour actor for jokingly criticizing Beyoncé for her reaction to her sister’s assault of her husband:
Beyoncé did’t do nothing. Everybody got a crazy person in the family. ‘Let her calm down. Let her calm down. She’ll calm down in a minute. I hope she ain’t got that gun on her, god damn. We all gonna get shot up in this elevator.
Tessanne Chin to perform on Memorial Monday in New York
Tri-state area music fans will get to see Jamaican songbird Tessanne Chin perform live on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, when The Voice Season 5 winner headlines the inaugural Oracabessa Festival at the Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, New York. Other performers at the festival include Beenie Man, Konshens and Assassin.
"We are thrilled to have Tessanne perform live in New York for the very first time since she won The Voice," said event organiser Bobby Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam radio. "Her performance is expected to attract large support from her Jamaican/Caribbean fan base as well as garner mainstream attention."
Tessanne's march to victory on The Voice included an emotional rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’, which earned her the #1 spot on iTunes USA Top 100 charts, and a mesmerizing rendition of Bob Marley's ‘Redemption Song’. She also topped the iTunes singles chart with Whitney Houston’s ‘I Have Nothing’ and cracked the top ten singles chart in a duet with Adam Levine -- The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’.
Since appearing on the Voice, the ‘Hideaway’ singer has been a regular fixture on American television. She was interviewed by Matt Lauer of NBC's Today Show; appeared on the Kathie Lee & Hoda show; Live with Kelly & Michael; Access Hollywood, and New York Live.
Last week she returned to the NBC Voice stage, delivering a spirited rendition of her debut single ‘Everything Reminds Me of You’, from her soon to be released album.
SHANICE WILLIAMS MISS UNIVERSE TCI 2014 TO SPARK CANADA’S LUXURY PIE MAGAZINE’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY SWIMSUIT EDITION
Crowned April 26th, an evening that saw grace, glamour and beauty personified, Shanice Williams, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014, Digicel TCI’s newest Brand Ambassador and Saint George Fashion House Muse Model is garnering the attention of numerous pageant, beauty and fashion publications, photographers and fashion designers around the Caribbean and the world.
Shanice Williams who wore the sash Miss Grand Turk won in spectacular style ahead of First Runner Up Codee Coalbrooke, Miss South Caicos and Second Runner Up Todeline Defralien, Miss Middle Caicos. Williams also won Miss Intellect, Best in Swimsuit/Best Body, Best Evening Gown, Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. She is already labeled as a front runner at the 2014 Miss Universe Pageant by pageant experts.
On May 20th in Providenciales, the beauty queen will be photographed for Canada’s luxury Pie Magazine’s tenth anniversary swimsuit edition. She will ignite its pages in a swimsuit editorial and a special feature as the reigning Miss Universe Turks and Caicos Titleholder.
Pie Magazine is a luxury lifestyle bi-annual publication with distribution in all major bookstores across Canada. The magazine can also be found in the hotel rooms across Canada. Pie Magazine targets an affluent male and female readership. The content is truly all-encompassing featuring business and careers, finance, health and wellness, music and entertainment, men and women’s style, current events, discovery and travel, food and beverage and automotive. Its readers are real people with style, which really shines through the pages of its publication.
“I am excited to bring my cherry picked team to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands next week. While we are there to boat and play we will have the amazing opportunity to shoot the beautiful Shanice Williams, Miss Universe Turks and Caicos 2014 for our tenth anniversary swimsuit edition” says CEO of Pie Magazine, Sandra Roberts.
“We are excited to show the beautiful island queen in her element. We love her unique features and her raw beauty. She will trance our readers and certainly through the imagery attract visitors to the islands. Thank you to the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Organization and our friend Kelly Sullivan at ‘One on Marlin’ for your continued warm hospitality,” Roberts added.
Shanice Williams is scheduled for a number of photoshoots, appearances and TV and radio interviews at home and abroad. To view the Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Beauty Organization’s calendar of events visit http://www.misstci.org/.
BRIELLE SWANN, TCI TOP MODEL 2014 GLORIOUS PHOTOSHOOT AT POINT GRACE
TCI’s newest Top Model, Brielle Swann, is set to hit the publishing world by storm this summer.
Following on from being named the FACE of the Turks & Caicos, TCI Top Model 2014 on Friday, May 2nd at The Williams Auditorium and her celebratory dinner hosted at The Regent Palms Resort the following evening, hours later on Sunday, May 4th, Brielle was shooting her first cover and editorial spread for this Summer’s Times of the Islands magazine.
The TCI Top Model, donned in outfits by Courtney Robinson, Rosetta Talbot, L’été Boutique, shoes courtesy of Shoe Gallery and clothing sourced by the TCI Top Model organizers - provided the Grand Turk 5’9” beauty queen with a fabulous array of stylish ensembles.
Brielle experienced first-hand the busy life of a top model on set with quick wardrobe and location changes, let alone hair and make-up looks. “I have just entered the doors of my dreams,” said Brielle of her 2014 Times of the Islands Summer photo-shoot, “It was truly an exhilarating experience and I am super excited to see what’s next!” she added”
The photo shoot took place at the award-winning Point Grace Resort on Providenciales. The resort, inspired by classic turn-of-the-century British Colonial architecture, has lush tropical foliage, fantastic vistas and lavish furnishings. It also features Gracie’s Cottage, Hutchings Restaurant and The Tha-lasso Spa, which is a full-service European-style Tha-lasso-therapy spa. This picturesque location made the perfect backdrop for the ‘safari themed’ photo shoot.
Published photographer Renau Destine of Double R Media, who was assisted by Galacty Van-cela -photographed Brielle in and around the property, and on the white sandy beaches.
On hand during the shoot was Courtney Robinson, Director of Production for the TCI Top Model Contest, who was also the shoot’s Fashion Editor. The creative team also consisted of Advertising Manager for Times Publishing, Claire Parrish, and
Kerietta Simpson, TCI’s Top Model Contest Head of Fashion and Grooming Fashion, who was also the shoot’s hairstylist and makeup artist, transforming the Top Model from an ingénue to a glamour-zon editorial queen.
To see photos from the shoot, look out for this summer’s Times of the Islands magazine on newsstands in mid-June.
Sunrise Airlines sets the record straight
Barring of Sunrise airline to the TCI by ICAO, had nothing to do with the Airlines standards
Earlier this week, we shared with listeners a TCI SUN Newspaper article that “Haiti’s Sunrise Airlines was barred from flying to the TCI, after the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) ruled the country’s standards, not up to par.
The airline’s operator, Phillipe Bayard in that article, was emphatic when he told the SUN last Friday, that barring of the airline to the TCI, had nothing to do with Sunrise Airlines standards, but rather Haiti’s own Civil Aviation Authority.
The head of TCI’s Civil Aviation Authority, Tom Swann, who expressed that the local CAA is happy with Sunrise Airline’s operational standard, also confirmed this.
Police Town Hall Meetings
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) will be having Town Hall meetings at various locations throughout the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI). The purpose of these meetings is to develop a new three-year strategic policing plan. The RTCIPF Police Force Strategic Plan 2009 – 2014 and previous annual policing plans traditionally covered the calendar year, which did not coincide with the financial budget year.
This new policing plan will be based on the police budget because it is recognised that the budget is needed to implement the policing plan after consultation with community needs and expectations. Commissioner Colin Farquhar and his staff look forward to discussing your concerns and opinions relating to crime and policing in the various communities.
South Caicos - Mon 19 at 5 PM at Regatta Village
Middle Caicos - 10AM Wed 21 May at the Community Centre North Caicos - 3PM Wed 21 May at the Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Grand Turk – at the Dillon Hall at 5PM on Thurs 29 May
Four meetings have been scheduled for Providenciales, with the first to be held on Fri 23 May at the Maranatha Academy’s Auditorium in Blue Hills at 6PM.
Tues 27 May at the Five Cays Community Centre, beginning at 6 PM
Fri 30 May, 6PM at the Gus Lightbourne Sports complex (the Kew Town/Glass Shack area.) and
Tues 03 June at the Tropicana Auditorium (Bight/Grace/Long Bay area of Provo), beginning at 6PM
All of these meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend.
Any questions regarding these Police town hall meetings can be directed to the RTCIPF via telephone at 941-4448 or the Public Relations’ Officer at audley.astwood@tcipolice.tc.
Rotaract Club of Grand Turk honors teachers
The Rotaract Club of Grand Turk will be honoring teachers here in the nation’s capital with a Teachers' Appreciation Banquet, scheduled for this evening at the Yellowman & Sons Auditorium.
According to the youth arm of the Rotary club, this event is one that they have included in their calendar of events for this year as another way of giving back to the community of Grand Turk.
“We are seeking to simply say “Thank You” to the Educators in Grand Turk, both past and present, who have given so much of their time to educating young people and by extension developing our Turks and Caicos Islands,” Rotaract said in a press release to RTC News.
Roraract is hoping to have about 120-150 Educators, Members of the Government and other specially invited guests in attendance at this evening’s event, which will be held under the patronage of the country’s Deputy Governor, Mrs. Anya Williams.
TURKS AND CAICOS & USA AGREES FATCA IGA TO COMPLY WITH GLOBAL TAX TRANSPARENCY
The Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is ready to comply with a major international tax transparency agreement it was announced by the Islands’ Minister of Finance, Hon. Washington Misick, today, Wednesday, 14 May 2014. Misick especially thanked his Permanent Secretary Athenee Harvey, the Attorney General, Hon. Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles; the Director of the Exchange of Information Unit Henry Saunders and Kenisha Bacchus of the Financial Services Commission for their hard work in achieving this milestone for the Islands Financial Services Industry.
The TCI now joins other UK overseas territories, such as the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, in practically demonstrating that the territories are not tax havens, but are, rather, open, transparent and well governed.
Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Institutions must soon register with the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as Foreign Financial Institutions (FFI) and obtain a Global Intermediary Identification Number under a Model 1 IGA, announced Henry Saunders, Director of the Exchange of Information Unit of the Ministry of Finance in Grand Turk. The UK IGA was signed in November 2013, and the US IGA with the TCI is now ready to be signed.
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted in 2010 by the United States’ Congress as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. It requires foreign financial institutions to report to the IRS information about financial accounts held by U.S. taxpayers, or by foreign entities in which U.S. taxpayers hold a substantial ownership interest.
There are two versions of the USA model agreement – a reciprocal version and a non-reciprocal version. Both versions establish a framework for reporting by financial institutions of certain account information to their respective tax authorities, followed by automatic exchange of such information. Both versions of the model agreement also address the legal issues that had been raised in connection with FATCA, and simplify its implementation for financial institutions.
“Tax transparency is perhaps the hottest topic for conversation and implementation in the global financial sector,” said Attorney General, Hon Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles. “Having met the initial standard we will work on regulations to ensure compliance through an effective legal framework," she added.
“Combating tax evasion in the offshore financial services industry is a major international issue, in which the UK and its Overseas Territories have taken a leading role,” said Acting Governor Anya Williams. “In an effort to prevent the loss of tax revenues, countries have agreed to share tax information with their treaty partners governed by a standard that protects the rights and safeguards of tax payers and the reporting agents. We are committed to these standards in the Turks and Caicos,” said Acting Governor Williams. Added.
In a related move, the TCI Government has extended its deadline for submissions to its consultation on beneficial ownership information to 30 June, 2014. Interested parties are encouraged to contribute to this important exercise, the outcome of which will have an impact on the future of the financial services industry in TCI.