A writ has been filed in the Supreme Court against Nassau handdbag designer Hart Taylor claiming he owes nearly $100,000 for interior design work that he never carried out on a property.
The writ has been filed by Americans Peter and Kathy Runge who live in Iowa, but who also own a condominium at Caves Point on New Providence.
The writ of summons is the latest court action facing Mr. Taylor who lives on West Hill Street. He is also facing a trial at Magistrate's Court later this year charged with causing harm to American Kathleen Dwyer.
In May he pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing harm to Mrs. Dwyer and causing damage to her sunglasses and computer following an alleged altercation in Mountbatten House in March. He was released on $3,000 bail with one surety.
The writ claims that Mr. Taylor was paid $99,794.62 for furniture and design services, materials and labour which he failed or refused to deliver for the Caves Point property.
The writ also states that "on numerous occassions the plaintiffs have tried to contact" Mr. Taylor to no avail.
The incidents highlight the growing abuse that many Americans find at the hands of certain unscrupulous Bahamians. Getting justice or relief in the courts of The Bahamas is nearly impossible.
From petty theft and assault, to the murder of tourists, foreigners attempting to obtain justice in The Bahamas are often met with a number of obstacles and diversions along the way. Even the murder of tourists is not given the priority that it should be given with three high profile cases resulting in manslaughter convictions despite ample evidence proving first degree murder.
Part of the problem is the vast number of crooked lawyers in the country. Another factor is manipulation of the jury by those same attorneys. Finally, there is the buying of judges who issue quasi-legal injuctions and court clerks who intentionally lose the necessary files, thus postponing the cases indefinitely. Underlying the problem is the deep seated resentment many potential Bahamian juries have against foreigners.
