FORMER Cabinet minister Lanisha Rolle was granted bail yesterday after being taken to court to face allegations that she fraudulently awarded contracts in excess of $750,000 while in office.

The former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, 46, her husband Vontenken Rolle, 45, Alfred Mortimer, 53, Godfrey Burrows, 54, and Wilfred Rolle Jr, 57, all appeared calm when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. Mrs Rolle faced one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences, with these charges being in connection with her time as minister from 2019 to 2021. Vontenken shared a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud alongside his wife. Mortimer, who is a waiter and Vontenken’s uncle, faced a single bribery charge. Burrows faced a charge of fraud by false pretences and an additional charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. Between June 28, 2019, and August 2, 2019, it is alleged Mrs Rolle fraudulently gave a contract for work at South Beach Pools valued at $36,255.82 to Intercostal Development and Construction. Between October 7, 2019, and December 27, 2019, Mrs Rolle allegedly gave another $6,775 contract for work at the South Beach Pools to the same construction company. Contracts worth $265,000 and $30,800 for South Beach Pools projects were allegedly given to Julia Johnson by Mrs Rolle between August 22, 2019, and May 5, 2020. During the same timespan, a contract of $30,850 was allegedly falsely awarded to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping for the same project. Another $27,450 and $36,800 in contracts were allegedly awarded to TCS Construction in 2019. That same year, $16,200 and $28,500 was allegedly given to CAM Enterprises for the same South Beach Pools project. An additional $49,560 was given to Munroe’s Landscaping for the alleged same project. # On November 9, 2019, Mortimer is alleged to have offered a bribe to a public servant to secure the contract for works at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex. # Between June 29, 2019, and July 31, 2019, Burrows fraudulently obtained $34,690 for the South Beach Pools project issued to Miller’s Masonry, Carpentry and Maintenance having conspired with Rolle Jr to do so. # Then on January 1, 2020, through November 9, 2020, Mrs Rolle is further alleged to have accepted a $48,303.74 bribe for the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex Project issued by the National Sports Authority to G&C Landscaping and Maintenance. # She is further alleged to have fraudulently given out another contract of $9,500 for Grand Bahama Sporting Complex to Avyeon General Maintenance Company. # Between February 1, 2020, and July 8, 2021, prior to her resignation as minister, Mrs Rolle allegedly fraudulently awarded a $228,000 contract for National Tennis Centre grounds and National Baseball Stadium grounds to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping. # Finally, during that same timeframe, Mr and Mrs Rolle are accused of fraudulently awarding a contract of $168,000 for work at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium to Julia Johnson. # Due to the nature of the offences, none of the defendants were required to enter a plea in court at that time. The accused were informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). # Mrs Rolle was granted $150,000 bail for the charges against her; her husband was granted bail at $50,000. After Magistrate Vogt-Evans noted they are both professionals, they were both informed they are expected to sign in at Central Police Station on the last Monday of every month. #The remaining defendants were granted bail at $10,000 each. Mortimer is expected to sign in at Elizabeth Estates Police Station the last Sunday of each month, Burrows at the Grove Police Station the last Friday of each month and Rolle Jr at the Carmichael Police Station the last Thursday of the month. #Mrs Rolle was represented by Murrio Ducille, KC, and Elsworth Johnson represented Mortimer. #The VBIs in this matter are set for service on May 31.

The former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, 46, her husband Vontenken Rolle, 45, Alfred Mortimer, 53, Godfrey Burrows, 54, and Wilfred Rolle Jr, 57, all appeared calm when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.

Mrs Rolle faced one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences, with these charges being in connection with her time as minister from 2019 to 2021.

Vontenken shared a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud alongside his wife. Mortimer, who is a waiter and Vontenken’s uncle, faced a single bribery charge.

Burrows faced a charge of fraud by false pretences and an additional charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences.

Between June 28, 2019, and August 2, 2019, it is alleged Mrs Rolle fraudulently gave a contract for work at South Beach Pools valued at $36,255.82 to Intercostal Development and Construction. Between October 7, 2019, and December 27, 2019, Mrs Rolle allegedly gave another $6,775 contract for work at the South Beach Pools to the same construction company.

Contracts worth $265,000 and $30,800 for South Beach Pools projects were allegedly given to Julia Johnson by Mrs Rolle between August 22, 2019, and May 5, 2020. During the same timespan, a contract of $30,850 was allegedly falsely awarded to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping for the same project.

Another $27,450 and $36,800 in contracts were allegedly awarded to TCS Construction in 2019. That same year, $16,200 and $28,500 was allegedly given to CAM Enterprises for the same South Beach Pools project. An additional $49,560 was given to Munroe’s Landscaping for the alleged same project.

On November 9, 2019, Mortimer is alleged to have offered a bribe to a public servant to secure the contract for works at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex.

Between June 29, 2019, and July 31, 2019, Burrows fraudulently obtained $34,690 for the South Beach Pools project issued to Miller’s Masonry, Carpentry and Maintenance having conspired with Rolle Jr to do so.

Then on January 1, 2020, through November 9, 2020, Mrs Rolle is further alleged to have accepted a $48,303.74 bribe for the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex Project issued by the National Sports Authority to G&C Landscaping and Maintenance.

She is further alleged to have fraudulently given out another contract of $9,500 for Grand Bahama Sporting Complex to Avyeon General Maintenance Company.

Between February 1, 2020, and July 8, 2021, prior to her resignation as minister, Mrs Rolle allegedly fraudulently awarded a $228,000 contract for National Tennis Centre grounds and National Baseball Stadium grounds to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping.

Finally, during that same timeframe, Mr and Mrs Rolle are accused of fraudulently awarding a contract of $168,000 for work at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium to Julia Johnson.

Due to the nature of the offences, none of the defendants were required to enter a plea in court at that time. The accused were informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Mrs Rolle was granted $150,000 bail for the charges against her; her husband was granted bail at $50,000. After Magistrate Vogt-Evans noted they are both professionals, they were both informed they are expected to sign in at Central Police Station on the last Monday of every month.

The remaining defendants were granted bail at $10,000 each. Mortimer is expected to sign in at Elizabeth Estates Police Station the last Sunday of each month, Burrows at the Grove Police Station the last Friday of each month and Rolle Jr at the Carmichael Police Station the last Thursday of the month.

Mrs Rolle was represented by Murrio Ducille, KC, and Elsworth Johnson represented Mortimer.

The VBIs in this matter are set for service on May 31.

Inflation continues to dampen profit margins for AML Foods Limited, although the company reported an eight percent improvement in sales during its third quarter.

While total sales were up by $3.9 million (8.3 percent), for the quarter ending January 31, 2023 to land at $50.8 million, AML Chief Executive Officer and President Gavin Watchorn said net profit for the period was down to just $0.6 million, compared to the $1.5 million recorded in the same period during the previous year.

"Although sales improved, quarterly and year-to-date gross margins have been impacted by inflationary pressures at supplier, customer, and regulatory levels. Our teams continue their efforts to find value and savings for our customers and we are expecting a gradual decline in inflationary pressures throughout 2023," he said.

"Our team continued to manage expenses well to mitigate increased costs, and selling, general and administrative expenses were 24.7 percent of sales compared to 26.5 percent in the prior year. Additionally, we remained focus on supporting optimal inventory levels in our stores, to maintain desired levels of stock to meet customer demand, while simultaneously managing costs. Current in-stock levels are close to or at pre-COVID levels."

Although global inflation began to taper off at the start of the year, compared to the decades high seen in 2022, prices globally remain elevated above pre-pandemic levels, still affecting both the bottom lines of many companies and the pocketbooks of consumers.

As for AML's recent investment on Grand Bahama, Watchorn said, "our new store in Downtown Freeport has been well received by the community and initial sales have exceeded our expectations, growing our overall market share in the Grand Bahama market.

"We also continued to record improved sales and profitability in our franchise division. During the quarter, $1.5 million was drawn down from the company's RBC credit facility and was used to early redeem our Class C and D preference shareholders, allowing for further improvements to our overall interest costs."

PRIME Minister Philip "Brave" Davis said Royal Caribbean International will break ground on its $110m beach club project on Paradise Island "almost immediately", telling reporters his administration approved the project in part because tourists need more attractions.

In 2020, while in opposition, it was reported that Mr Davis declared that a PLP government would cancel any lease granted to RCI for Crown land to develop a beach club on the western tip of Paradise Island. The pledge drew criticism from the Minnis administration, which was in power at the time. #However, after the Progressive Liberal Party won the 2021 general election, officials said Mr Davis was seeking a compromise in the Crown land row. #Yesterday, Mr Davis said his administration has ensured that Bahamians have more involvement in the controversial project. #“We approved the project to ensure that Bahamian participation is maximised, that Bahamian opportunities are maximised,” Mr Davis said on the sidelines of an event. “From the timeline that was given they intend to start breaking ground almost immediately. Hopefully it will be started because part of the challenges that we have in the country today is what we call attractions for tourism. #“Very often on any given day, we could have up to 30,000 tourists in our port and there has to be attractions for them. This will be one of the other attractions that will be available to them and so that is very welcome news for us... and there will be opportunities for Bahamians,” Mr Davis said. #On Tuesday night, Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister who also has responsibility for tourism, investments and aviation, said in a statement that the Davis administration believes it has resolved all “previous objections” to RCI’s plans by ensuring more Bahamian involvement “at all phases” of its construction and operation. #Stating that specific activities at the Royal Beach Club, including water sports, entertainment and food and beverage, will be reserved for local businesses and entrepreneurs, he pledged that Bahamians will also be able to invest in the project and collectively take a 49 percent equity ownership stake. This would leave Royal Caribbean owning the majority interest. #As for the Crown land being leased to RCI, Mr Cooper said the government planned to also convert this asset into an ownership stake in the development that would be held by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, now known as the National Investment Fund. #According to Mr Cooper, “the project will cover 17 acres – of which 13 acres represent privately held land and some four acres of Crown land that was included in the lease to RCI by the former administration.” #After news broke about the approval, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis questioned if Grand Bahama is included in the deal. #While speaking at a Garden Hills Constituency Association meeting on Tuesday, Dr Minnis said a part of the agreement on the table when he was prime minister was that Grand Bahama had to be included. #“A part of that agreement was Grand Bahama had to be included,” Dr Minnis said. “The hotel in Grand Bahama had to be a part of it so that the Grand Bahamians can benefit. That was the approval. #“Grand Bahama, you cannot allow the PLP to leave you out. You were part of it. You are a part of The Bahamas and as I sat in that meeting, not only to be signed, but we shook hands and there was an agreement that Grand Bahama, they understood that they could not receive the property, there’s been no agreement unless Grand Bahama was a part of it. #“I saw nothing in such a press release. So Grand Bahama, you must ask them where have you gone? Why are you not a part of it? Grand Bahama as a part of this country, this Bahamas, and when individuals see great benefit for themselves we are not Nassau-centric. If there’s an opportunity to include other islands, then we must take advantage of such an opportunity,” Dr Minnis said. # Both the cruise line and the government had been embroiled in a long-running battle, including in the Supreme Court, with Bahamian entrepreneur Toby Smith who has asserted he has a binding lease for at least two Crown land acres that Royal Caribbean is seeking to use in its project. # However, on February 16, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder rejected the entrepreneur’s claim that his lease agreement is valid. # In his statement on Tuesday, Mr Cooper said, “It is important to note that the land currently proposed under the project has not been subject to any dispute or litigation.”

In 2020, while in opposition, it was reported that Mr Davis declared that a PLP government would cancel any lease granted to RCI for Crown land to develop a beach club on the western tip of Paradise Island. The pledge drew criticism from the Minnis administration, which was in power at the time.

However, after the Progressive Liberal Party won the 2021 general election, officials said Mr Davis was seeking a compromise in the Crown land row.

Yesterday, Mr Davis said his administration has ensured that Bahamians have more involvement in the controversial project.

“We approved the project to ensure that Bahamian participation is maximised, that Bahamian opportunities are maximised,” Mr Davis said on the sidelines of an event. “From the timeline that was given they intend to start breaking ground almost immediately. Hopefully it will be started because part of the challenges that we have in the country today is what we call attractions for tourism.

“Very often on any given day, we could have up to 30,000 tourists in our port and there has to be attractions for them. This will be one of the other attractions that will be available to them and so that is very welcome news for us... and there will be opportunities for Bahamians,” Mr Davis said.

On Tuesday night, Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister who also has responsibility for tourism, investments and aviation, said in a statement that the Davis administration believes it has resolved all “previous objections” to RCI’s plans by ensuring more Bahamian involvement “at all phases” of its construction and operation.

Stating that specific activities at the Royal Beach Club, including water sports, entertainment and food and beverage, will be reserved for local businesses and entrepreneurs, he pledged that Bahamians will also be able to invest in the project and collectively take a 49 percent equity ownership stake. This would leave Royal Caribbean owning the majority interest.

As for the Crown land being leased to RCI, Mr Cooper said the government planned to also convert this asset into an ownership stake in the development that would be held by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, now known as the National Investment Fund.

According to Mr Cooper, “the project will cover 17 acres – of which 13 acres represent privately held land and some four acres of Crown land that was included in the lease to RCI by the former administration.”

After news broke about the approval, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis questioned if Grand Bahama is included in the deal.

While speaking at a Garden Hills Constituency Association meeting on Tuesday, Dr Minnis said a part of the agreement on the table when he was prime minister was that Grand Bahama had to be included.

“A part of that agreement was Grand Bahama had to be included,” Dr Minnis said. “The hotel in Grand Bahama had to be a part of it so that the Grand Bahamians can benefit. That was the approval.

“Grand Bahama, you cannot allow the PLP to leave you out. You were part of it. You are a part of The Bahamas and as I sat in that meeting, not only to be signed, but we shook hands and there was an agreement that Grand Bahama, they understood that they could not receive the property, there’s been no agreement unless Grand Bahama was a part of it.

“I saw nothing in such a press release. So Grand Bahama, you must ask them where have you gone? Why are you not a part of it? Grand Bahama as a part of this country, this Bahamas, and when individuals see great benefit for themselves we are not Nassau-centric. If there’s an opportunity to include other islands, then we must take advantage of such an opportunity,” Dr Minnis said.

Both the cruise line and the government had been embroiled in a long-running battle, including in the Supreme Court, with Bahamian entrepreneur Toby Smith who has asserted he has a binding lease for at least two Crown land acres that Royal Caribbean is seeking to use in its project.

However, on February 16, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder rejected the entrepreneur’s claim that his lease agreement is valid.

In his statement on Tuesday, Mr Cooper said, “It is important to note that the land currently proposed under the project has not been subject to any dispute or litigation.”

MYLES Laroda, state minister with responsibility for the National Insurance Board, yesterday continued to advocate for increased contributions for the agency's fund to avoid an $98m loss this year.

In his contribution to Parliament yesterday Mr Laroda said he spoke to several former government officials that had responsibility for NIB for advice on the way forward. #Mr Laroda’s concerns come one month after he assured the public that the government has made a decision on the NIB fund and whether contribution rates will be increased or not. At the time, he declined to say what specific course of action the government intends to take to ensure the fund’s sustainability. #Yesterday, Mr Laroda gave some updates as to the current state of the fund, in comparison to years past. #“For the year ended December 2022, contributions totaled around $280m, while benefits expenditures total $355m, a shortfall, some $78m,” Mr Laroda said. #“Our reality is the National Insurance Board is projected to lose $98m this year, if there is not an increase, that’s almost $100m. That is the reality,” he said. #“Up until 2016, there were mostly surpluses. And then the year 2016, there was an income of $261,191,000 and an expenditure of $275,155,000. Since 2016, the National Insurance Board has not turned a profit,” Mr Laroda said. #“The NIB budget for 2023 has projected that benefits will exceed contributions by $86m and projects total income to be $358m, with total expenditures of $456m, resulting in a deficit of $98m. In a short time, the government will provide a way forward to benefit all Bahamians,” Mr Laroda said. #“In the interim, greater compliance among employers is the clarion call. For 2023, a goal to collect some $300m in contribution payments has been set with an expectation that the domestic economy will continue its reopening momentum, with the pandemic numbers and various restrictions seemingly in the rear view,” Mr Laroda said. #Mr Laroda added that Prime Minister Philip Davis charged him with finding innovative ways to increase the income for the agency, which cannot be subsidised by the government. #“(The) Prime Minister, the MP for Cat Island, Rum Cay and Salvador, charged myself and the board, being sensitive to an already tax burdened society, that we should find innovative ways in which we can increase income,” he said. #“Some $16m was invested with a private Bahamian company in the space of three months would have revealed a profit of some $2m. By any count, that’s innovative. But we would notice that even if we replicate that four times, we’re looking at $8m. We are not going to make up that shortfall,” Mr Laroda said. #“The Prime Minister also would have charged me with speaking to individuals who would have had experience of National Insurance. He wanted bipartisan input from various individuals,” he said. #“Mr Anton Saunders, we all know that he’s a former employee and chairman, he’s in the insurance industry. And he has given me permission to go on the record to say that yes, there needs to be a unified approach to this but he also recognises that while he was chairman, that those discussions were being held,” Mr Laroda said. #“I then spoke to Mr Patrick Ward, another former chairman, who has also given me permission to call his name with regards to the need for rate increase and other recommendations to better put NIB in a position to be that safety net for individuals who would have paid into the programme and at their retirement age to be able to receive their benefits,” Mr Laroda said. #Mr Laroda encouraged the Bahamian public to get to know their NIB status to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens and to be knowledgeable of contributions made for them. #In addition, Mr Laroda also mentioned that the National Emergency and Management Agency (NEMA) and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) will be merging into one authority “to reduce the duplication of positions and also responsibilities”. #Mr Laroda said the newly merged agency should be open by July of this year.

In his contribution to Parliament yesterday Mr Laroda said he spoke to several former government officials that had responsibility for NIB for advice on the way forward.

Mr Laroda’s concerns come one month after he assured the public that the government has made a decision on the NIB fund and whether contribution rates will be increased or not. At the time, he declined to say what specific course of action the government intends to take to ensure the fund’s sustainability.

Yesterday, Mr Laroda gave some updates as to the current state of the fund, in comparison to years past.

“For the year ended December 2022, contributions totaled around $280m, while benefits expenditures total $355m, a shortfall, some $78m,” Mr Laroda said.

“Our reality is the National Insurance Board is projected to lose $98m this year, if there is not an increase, that’s almost $100m. That is the reality,” he said.

“Up until 2016, there were mostly surpluses. And then the year 2016, there was an income of $261,191,000 and an expenditure of $275,155,000. Since 2016, the National Insurance Board has not turned a profit,” Mr Laroda said.

“The NIB budget for 2023 has projected that benefits will exceed contributions by $86m and projects total income to be $358m, with total expenditures of $456m, resulting in a deficit of $98m. In a short time, the government will provide a way forward to benefit all Bahamians,” Mr Laroda said.

“In the interim, greater compliance among employers is the clarion call. For 2023, a goal to collect some $300m in contribution payments has been set with an expectation that the domestic economy will continue its reopening momentum, with the pandemic numbers and various restrictions seemingly in the rear view,” Mr Laroda said.

Mr Laroda added that Prime Minister Philip Davis charged him with finding innovative ways to increase the income for the agency, which cannot be subsidised by the government.

“(The) Prime Minister, the MP for Cat Island, Rum Cay and Salvador, charged myself and the board, being sensitive to an already tax burdened society, that we should find innovative ways in which we can increase income,” he said.

“Some $16m was invested with a private Bahamian company in the space of three months would have revealed a profit of some $2m. By any count, that’s innovative. But we would notice that even if we replicate that four times, we’re looking at $8m. We are not going to make up that shortfall,” Mr Laroda said.

“The Prime Minister also would have charged me with speaking to individuals who would have had experience of National Insurance. He wanted bipartisan input from various individuals,” he said.

“Mr Anton Saunders, we all know that he’s a former employee and chairman, he’s in the insurance industry. And he has given me permission to go on the record to say that yes, there needs to be a unified approach to this but he also recognises that while he was chairman, that those discussions were being held,” Mr Laroda said.

“I then spoke to Mr Patrick Ward, another former chairman, who has also given me permission to call his name with regards to the need for rate increase and other recommendations to better put NIB in a position to be that safety net for individuals who would have paid into the programme and at their retirement age to be able to receive their benefits,” Mr Laroda said.

Mr Laroda encouraged the Bahamian public to get to know their NIB status to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens and to be knowledgeable of contributions made for them.

In addition, Mr Laroda also mentioned that the National Emergency and Management Agency (NEMA) and the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) will be merging into one authority “to reduce the duplication of positions and also responsibilities”.

Mr Laroda said the newly merged agency should be open by July of this year.