Prosecutors demand US$2m cash plus US$8m in assets for Misick bail

(Jamaica Gleaner) Helen Garlick, prosecutor in the Michael Misick conspiracy to bribe case, wants two million dollars in cash, and eight million dollars worth of assets before the former Turks and Caicos (TCI) premier can be released on bail.

Garlick, last night, also refused assets proffered by former Premier Gilmo Williams, The Gleaner has learnt.  Williams had offered to put up commercial buildings and land on behalf of Misick, however, the prosecutor refused on the grounds that he is a former Premier.  Misick remains in jail at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk, after he was extradited from Brazil on Tuesday morning.  When he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in Grand Turks later that day, he was charged with conspiracy to bribe.

12 lawyers representing Misick

Misick is being represented by 12 defense lawyers.  The high-powered team includes Oliver Smith and Ariel Misick.  If the former premier meets the bail conditions before next Monday, January 13, he could be released, said a media release from the Governor’s office.  According to the release, in due course an application will be made to add Misick’s case to the information against his co-accused, who are scheduled to face trial in the Supreme Court from July 7, 2014.

Misick was arrested in December 2012 by Brazilian Federal Police acting on a provisional arrest warrant.  The arrest was sought by the TCI Special Investigation and Prosecution Team, who then submitted formal extradition papers in January 2013.  There are 11 other defendants who face plea and direction hearings in the TCI Supreme Court this week on related charges, and who are scheduled to face trial on July 7.  They are: Floyd Basil Hall, McAllister Eugene Hanchell, Lillian Elaine Boyce, Jeffrey Cristoval Hall, Clayton Stanfield Greene, Thomas Chalmers Misick, Lisa Michelle Hall, Melbourne Arthur Wilson, Quinton Albert Hall, Earlson McDonald Robinson and Norman Saunders Jnr.  Further, co-charged developer Richard Michael Padgett has already pleaded guilty to bribery and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and will be sentenced on March 31.