fp Turks and Caicos

It began with confusion over the terms “work” and “consult”. “Do you work at Saunders & Co.?” asked Milne – Counsel for the Inquiry. “What do you mean work?” asked The Hon. Dr. Michael E. Misick MP - Premier of The Turks and Caicos Islands.  “The question is simple”, Milne retorted, “People know what we mean by work.” Misick replied several times, “I consulted on a number of issues from time to time.” Milne then asked, “So how were you rewarded for this work?” Misick replied, “from time to time, I have been compensated”. “How?” Milne asked, “How were you compensated?” Misick looked at the sole Commissioner, Mr. Justice, Sir Robin Auld and asked, “Is he serious?”

Sir Robin moved to clarify. “I think the distinction is between a contract of service and a contract for services which can include consulting”.  With this distinction Misick accepted that he worked, by which he meant consulted for Saunders & Co. Milne – in typical fashion – read out a series of payments: $10,000 in 2003; $20,000 in 2004; a loan of $25,000 in 2005; Wedding gift in 2006; a $1,000 political campaign contribution; $35,000 in 2007 and a loan for $275,000 in 2008.

“Is it customary to borrow that sum of money from a firm you are consulting for Mr. Premier?”  “Yes”, Misick answered. The audience chuckled. “Really?”, exclaimed Milne. “Well, here is it is”, said the Premier.
“What other directorships do you have Mr. Premier?” asked Milne. Prestigious Properties, Alexandria Hotel and Spa and Grace Bay Plaza”, Misick replied. So even though you are consumed by the Premiership every waking hour, you find time for all of this?” asked Milne. “Consumed every waking hour is your characterization, not mine”, said Misick.
From here a lengthy exchange ensued in which Milne pressed The Premier on income from the various entities, whether paid directly or indirectly; with cash or cheques; in person or not?
Misick affirmed that he got monthly income from Prestigious Properties, different sums at different times. He stunned the audience by saying that in his current capacity at Prestigious Properties, between 2003 and 2008, he still takes clients on site visits and takes a commission for land sales.

Misick admitted that he received income from Alexandria in the form of dividend payments and directors fees. The overall objective of Milne’s line of questioning was to establish the total income of The Premier. The strategy there was then to show any imbalance between credits to The Premier’s accounts, (see additional dispatches) and the recorded and reported income.