Home
Up

As recorded in the Royal gazette newspaper ...

"The police inquiry into allegations that Dr. Brown was involved in corrupt practices at the Bermuda Housing Corporation were finally brought to a halt in 2004 after then-Acting DPP Kulandra Ratneser ruled that the Premier had not broken the law. But documents seen by the Mid-Ocean News reveal that the island’s top prosecutor also suggested the possibility that civil charges could be brought against Dr. Brown over his dealings with the BHC.

In an April, 2004 letter to then-Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith, Mr. Ratneser said he could see “no criminal offence disclosed or suspected” in connection to Dr. Brown and as a result police had “no authority in law to ask Dr. Brown to answer any questions at this stage”. The article can re read by clicking here.

• The investigating officer, Robin Sherwood* had previously written:

A second, undated report concluded: “The circumstances are supportive of a conspiracy between Brown and Dill to defraud the Bermuda Housing Corporation. There may be additional persons added to this conspiracy such as Bascome and Dale Young as this matter progresses.”

Armed with the findings, Det. Insp. Sherwood wrote to the Commissioner of Police in December 2003, requesting that Dr. Brown be brought in for questioning.

The newspaper report headed 'anatomy of a scandal' can be read in full by clicking here.

A further report advises that the papers apparently reveal that the businessman Zane DeSilva was hired by Dr. Brown to build a luxury mansion on A.P. Owen Road while simultaneously employed by the BHC to build 20 houses at Southside. They are said to include evidence that both Dr. Brown and Mr. Bascome were employed as consultants by Mr. DeSilva’s company — business interests that neither politician has ever declared. the report can be read here.

*Robin Sherwood, a former Bermuda narcotics officer and subsequently a police inspector, is no longer with the Bermuda police service but is now a constable in the Nova Scotia constabulary.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx