Bahamians claim that, as an foreign investor and Managing Director of Bahamas Consult, I have flooded the Internet with websites in an effort to discourage others from coming to, or investing in, the Bahamas. I have even accused Bahamian lawyers and the Bahamas Bar Association of corruption, and in my eyes the entire legal system would appear to be an “Axis of Evil”. All this would be happening at a time when the Bahamas Government is putting an additonal $15 million dollars into an ad campaign to attract tourists, and when millions of investment dollars, presumably, are waiting to pour into the Bahamian economy. Unfortunately these Bahamians defend the corrupt part of the Government, and lack of pricipals and lack of morals and pretend that I incident am isolated. They are not willing to take in consideration that I was hosed, financially taken for a ride and that I couldnﾴt get justice in the courts and otherwise.
I understand that I may sound offensive to those who do not understand what I have been through for more than ten years. I feel that, specifically, attorneys-at-law are particularly harmful to the economy of the Bahamas since those suffering from experiences such as mine will no longer promote foreign investment or make positive travel recommendations to acquaintances or friends. Due to an apparent lack of understanding of the facts in my case I declare myself prepared to furnish, upon request, my experience into the matters at hand and to cooperate in responding to any questions. But although the Bahamas legal system demands more accountability, I see not even a little sign that lawyers, the Bahamas Bar or the Attorney General want the investigation that is so necessary.
From not one of them – not even from Mr. Peter Maynard, as the head of the Bar – have I have heard any suggestions as to how we could create a system of justice that would be FAIR to the Bahamian people and foreigners alike. Nor have I seen any responses to my questions or suggestions that would indicate a willingness on their part to cooperate in resolving this matter amicably. For example, I have suggested setting up a list of guidelines to ensure fair treatment of all concerned, the establishment of an acceptable fee table or the set-up of an ombudsman position. In my opinion Mr. Peter Maynard is obliged to give the public clear evidence of where his association stands in this society and which codes of ethics are relevant.
The Bar has to take care regarding the encouragement of legal education, the promotion of standards of etiquettes and professional conduct of the members of the Bar. Furthermore the Bar is obliged to protect the public’s right of access to the courts and – of course – the members of the Bar should represent their clients professionally before the courts. I guess I am not the only one who has evidence that lawyers might not be abiding by their own Code of Ethics. I criticize especially the attitude and morality of attorneys at law, as well as their capability and preparedness to sincerely assist. Out of my own experiences and my understanding of legal principles, the Bahamas is a whorehouse concerning the rule of law. And still more: From a prostitute one could certainly expect a more correct behaviour than from some of the lawyers I am acquainted with.
I would love to get an answer why the Bar Association could not find my file containing my earlier complaint. Is it corruption or just mismanagement? And why didn’t I get any answer after I re-sent a complete copy months ago? I would love to know how many complaints Mr. Maynard and his committees are sitting on and why? I am glad that I made the BahamasB2B website my favourite one because they have the courage to focus on the problems within the legal profession and are determined to resolve the issues before the problem destroys their nation.
Unfortunately, some parts of the media do not do enough towards highlighting that the government of The Bahamas is always represented by a very high percentage of attorney-at-laws. Lawyers have learned much from the hucksters at the flea market. They have woven a web with many branches, where they conspire to manipulate court decisions, free from each other’s constraints and without abiding by ethical principles, therefore strongly influencing ongoing court procedures and decisions. Just one short question to all Bahamians: WHY?
One reads everywhere that The Bahamas needs more foreign investments – especially in these hard times. Prime Minister Perry Christie acknowledged a few days ago that investors were frustrated by excessive red tape, and that something needed to be done. It is specifically corruption, crime and injustice that continue to plague the Bahamas. Dear Mr. Christie – ask foreign investors why so many applications are pending before the Bahamas Investment Authority and the National Economic Council? I guess you, as a lawyer and Prime Minister, should think over why foreigners have to publicly criticize the Bahamas as a place for investments, in order to receive the fair treatment they deserve.
The Prime Minister did send warnings to Cabinet Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Government Agencies and Committees. He outlined a new code of ethics. I remember him making those proclamations. It is astonishing that, not only lawyers ignore their foreign clients but that even the Minister of Justice and the Director of Public Prosecutions do not show any respect to foreigners’ concerns. The people are WAITING for your answer, sir. But all that is forthcoming is ignorance and disregard. Is this really the right time for that?
In the interest of the economic development of the Bahamas, it would be worthwhile to analyse in the same way the business licensing laws, the financial services area and the investments sector. I have no doubt that the results here would shed some light on the Bahamas’ dwindling tourism industry. Unfortunately, I am, as is BahamasB2B, also informed of many other cases of dissatisfied Bahamians and foreign investors.
In the interest of the nation, there arises the necessity for the calling of a Commission of Inquiry to look into the law firms, the Bahamas Bar Association, the Office of the Attorney General and even the Registry of the Supreme Court because where inefficiency isn’t perverting justice, corruption is. There is a severe lack of efficiency, honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. Some people have doubts too, that Prime Minister Perry Christie still has enough time to assure the public that he will not tolerate corruption. In an open letter to both Perry Christie and A/G Alfred Sears I urged greater concern for public rights and accused more than one lawyer of ignorance in their dealings with investors.
Don’t we have too much crime against persons and property in the Bahamas? People, especially those living in Nassau and remote Family Island outposts, are all subject to the depredations of any number of thugs and criminals. In consideration of the widespread system of corruption, the matter of crime, including human cargo, drug smuggling, gun running, rape and other horrific acts of violence, have became so routine that the mass public is no longer outraged by the ongoing onslaught to its sensibilities. Don’t we need more investment dollars and more tourists in the Bahamas? Many Bahamians have to think over the attitudes they have in relation to their foreign brothers and sisters as well.
One word to the churches: I would appreciate to hear that the moral law wins. It’s right to let the politicians know “this is justice” or “this is not justice” and “this is right” or “this is not right”. I would love to see evidence that the country belongs to the people, and that the people have to be consulted. The Bahamians have to be able to give input as to what’s going on, in order to direct the development of their country. On the other hand, some church leaders should re-think about how to deal with problems internally or how strongly they should be involved with family members in politics?
I have heard that the public holds the leash in the Bahamas. I guess people do not believe that they do. TRULY UNFORTUNATE! We have to find a way how Bahamian families can protect, educate and better prepare their children for the world than has been done in the past, and how can we stop a few wealthy Bahamian families, individuals and companies (or criminal lawyers, corrupt locals and thugs) from having the REAL power in the Bahamas.
I do hope that the mass public will understand the serious consequences of my ten-year wrangle with local lawyers in what I call a gross mishandling of a property dispute. Unfortunately, due to the Bahamas legal profession, and maybe even the government, having turned a deaf ear to my plight, they have tarnished the reputation of the Bahamas.
Bahamas Consult would NOT have published www.the-bahamas.de if I would have been fairly treated by lawyers. We would not have published www.bahamas-guardian.de.vu if I wouldn’t have had problems with the A/G. Bahamas Consult would not have published www.lawer.bahamas.net.tc if I would not have had troubles with the BAR. They wouldn’t have published www.haraldfuhrmann.eu.tc if Nassau Guardian and ZNS, for instance, would not ignore foreigners who are having problems with the legal profession. www.bahamas-travel.de.vu would not have been published if the tourism sector would have talked with me. Bahamas Consult would not have published www.bahamas-consult.us.tc if the Bahamas Investment Authority would have done more than saying: “Go to another lawyer.” And the website www.focusbahamas.net.tc would not have been published if the Prime Minister had not shown indifference as well.
I understand that Bahamians are aware that I am posting negative comments in travel forums. But the question is – who started FIRST to put harm to whom? And whereas I met the Prime Minister at the Caribbean Tourism Conference in Freeport recently, and whereas I had a long conversation with Trevor Whylly concerning his advice, I did not receive any answer as to how the problem can be resolved. This lack of an appropriate response from lawyers, the Bahamas Bar Association and even the head of the country who I informed last week caused additional websites like www.haraldfuhrmann.int.tc. The motive for another website www.bahamasforum.net.tc will be a message board to give answers to the question: what are the advantages – and alleged disadvantages – of travelling to and investing in the Bahamas. The curtains need to be opened! Why should they not be?
