Ex-Premier of Turks and Caicos Receives Four-Year Jail Term in Graft Trial

Judges in the Turks and Caicos Islands have ordered former head of government Michael Misick to serve just over four years in incarceration after finding him culpable in a protracted bribery prosecution.

Ex-Premier of Turks and Caicos Receives Four-Year Jail Term in Graft Trial

Judges in the Turks and Caicos Islands have ordered former head of government Michael Misick to serve just over four years in incarceration after finding him culpable in a protracted bribery prosecution.

The tribunal pronounced the punishment on Friday, fixing the duration at four years plus 26 days. A panel had earlier, in February, determined Misick committed three separate bribery offenses. The disgraced politician has repeatedly asserted that opponents orchestrated the case against him.

Brazilian police seized Misick in December 2012 once his plea for protected status was turned down. Prosecutors alleged he diverted taxpayer resources and enriched himself through transactions involving publicly held real estate sold to construction firms.

Co-defendants faced judgment alongside him during Friday's hearing. Ex-minister McAllister Hanchell drew a three-year sentence, whereas legal practitioner Thomas Misick — sibling to the former premier — was ordered to serve four years. Officers immediately placed all three behind bars, though defense teams intend to seek appellate review.

Michael Misick abandoned his premiership in 2009 following London's decision to seize administrative control and invalidate the territory's founding charter amid sweeping dishonesty claims. Whitehall relinquished direct governance in November 2012 upon the organization of fresh polls.

Source: New Haven Register

Source: Google News TC — Crime