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Foreign developer must not be allowed to silence Bahamian voices through legal scare tactics, says Save Exuma Alliance

Mon, Mar 2nd 2026, 10:36 AM
Environment

Freedom of speech is under attack for Exumian residents and businesses after legal threats issued by lawyers acting on behalf of Yntegra, a Miami-based investment firm proposing to develop a Rosewood resort in the Central Exuma Cays, says the Save Exuma Alliance (SEA).

The alliance is aware of letters sent to outspoken Exumians, media outlets and outspoken Bahamians. Schillings, the London law firm acting on behalf of the Miami-based developer behind the proposed project on Sampson Cay, Exuma, sent the letters along with demands for apologies and asking people to agree to limit what they say in the future.

This comes despite widespread concern among residents over the proposed development, especially the damage it would cause to the North Bay of Sampson Cay through dredging.

“The effect of this is unsettling as it refers to the matter of free speech. You cannot have a consultation process where the developer’s lawyers are warning people what they can and can’t say. We are aware that letters have been sent – and people should not fear legal retribution for speaking up on an issue of genuine public concern. It is unconscionable to think that Bahamians can be threatened into silence by a foreign developer and its high-powered lawyers,” said SEA.

Yntegra’s Rosewood project has faced significant concerns since its launch, with residents and stakeholders citing potential irreversible environmental harm and safety risks, including concerns about increased boat traffic, a large seawall that would alter water flows, and destruction of thriving coral reefs and acres of seagrass. The developer withdrew its original site plan following public objection and returned with revisions presented at recent meetings in Black Point and George Town.

In December, it was reported by the Nassau Guardian that the owner of the Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club, Bob Coughlin, had received a letter from Schillings threatening legal action against him, his company, and environmental consultant Eric Carey. SEA understands that other letters have been sent as well.

At the time, Turtlegrass released a statement saying that the legal letter was an attempt to silence opposition to the Rosewood Exuma project. Schillings wrote that the letter was “to put you on notice” to “agree to desist henceforth from publishing false and defamatory material concerning our client”. It also demanded reparations and threatened action in the Supreme Court. Turtlegrass has rejected the allegations.

“I have heard from several people in the community who are hesitant to speak out because they fear legal threats,” said Kearje Smith, a Black Point, Exuma tour operator and one of the recipients of the referred to letter. “Others have told me they feel unable to share their views because they worry about potential repercussions. That is not how we should operate in the modern-day Bahamas. People must feel free to express their opinions on any issue — especially one that directly affects their environment and the way they live and work. I intend to exercise my right to free speech and will not be intimidated into silence.”

SEA added: “This is not just a matter of protecting individuals, it is a matter of protecting the Constitution of The Bahamas. Article 15(b) of the Constitution guarantees that every person in The Bahamas has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to freedom of expression. It is fundamentally wrong to try to challenge that, and anyone who stands with those who believes such behaviour is appropriate should consider why they are working with someone who wants to silence Bahamians.”

Article 23 of the Constitution goes further to say that “no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this Article the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions”.

SEA said: “It is particularly outrageous that Bahamians are finding their freedom to speak threatened by foreign parties. There have been two recent Town Planning meetings to consider the project – and even with the fear of consequences, people turned out to ask questions and seek answers. How many more were wary of speaking up?”

SEA added: “The frustrating thing is that solutions have been presented to stop the environmental destruction and honour the request to co-exist, such as moving the project’s proposed dock location to the southern end of the project, which would eliminate the need for dredging, and scaling back the size of the project, which is of a scale more suited to Miami than Exuma. If Yntegra, would follow common-sense revisions, there would be no need for all of this.”

A petition calling for a halt to environmental clearances for the project has received more than 7,100 signatures. You can add your name to the petition at https://www.change.org/stopsampsoncayproject

Freedom of speech is under attack for Exumian residents and businesses after legal threats issued by lawyers acting on behalf of Yntegra, a Miami-based investment firm proposing to develop a Rosewood resort in the Central Exuma Cays, says the Save Exuma Alliance (SEA).
The alliance is aware of letters sent to outspoken Exumians, media outlets and outspoken Bahamians. Schillings, the London law firm acting on behalf of the Miami-based developer behind the proposed project on Sampson Cay, Exuma, sent the letters along with demands for apologies and asking people to agree to limit what they say in the future.
This comes despite widespread concern among residents over the proposed development, especially the damage it would cause to the North Bay of Sampson Cay through dredging.
“The effect of this is unsettling as it refers to the matter of free speech. You cannot have a consultation process where the developer’s lawyers are warning people what they can and can’t say. We are aware that letters have been sent – and people should not fear legal retribution for speaking up on an issue of genuine public concern. It is unconscionable to think that Bahamians can be threatened into silence by a foreign developer and its high-powered lawyers,” said SEA.
Yntegra’s Rosewood project has faced significant concerns since its launch, with residents and stakeholders citing potential irreversible environmental harm and safety risks, including concerns about increased boat traffic, a large seawall that would alter water flows, and destruction of thriving coral reefs and acres of seagrass. The developer withdrew its original site plan following public objection and returned with revisions presented at recent meetings in Black Point and George Town.
In December, it was reported by the Nassau Guardian that the owner of the Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club, Bob Coughlin, had received a letter from Schillings threatening legal action against him, his company, and environmental consultant Eric Carey. SEA understands that other letters have been sent as well.
At the time, Turtlegrass released a statement saying that the legal letter was an attempt to silence opposition to the Rosewood Exuma project. Schillings wrote that the letter was “to put you on notice” to “agree to desist henceforth from publishing false and defamatory material concerning our client”. It also demanded reparations and threatened action in the Supreme Court. Turtlegrass has rejected the allegations.
“I have heard from several people in the community who are hesitant to speak out because they fear legal threats,” said Kearje Smith, a Black Point, Exuma tour operator and one of the recipients of the referred to letter. “Others have told me they feel unable to share their views because they worry about potential repercussions. That is not how we should operate in the modern-day Bahamas. People must feel free to express their opinions on any issue — especially one that directly affects their environment and the way they live and work. I intend to exercise my right to free speech and will not be intimidated into silence.”
SEA added: “This is not just a matter of protecting individuals, it is a matter of protecting the Constitution of The Bahamas. Article 15(b) of the Constitution guarantees that every person in The Bahamas has the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest, to freedom of expression. It is fundamentally wrong to try to challenge that, and anyone who stands with those who believes such behaviour is appropriate should consider why they are working with someone who wants to silence Bahamians.”
Article 23 of the Constitution goes further to say that “no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, and for the purposes of this Article the said freedom includes freedom to hold opinions”.
SEA said: “It is particularly outrageous that Bahamians are finding their freedom to speak threatened by foreign parties. There have been two recent Town Planning meetings to consider the project – and even with the fear of consequences, people turned out to ask questions and seek answers. How many more were wary of speaking up?”
SEA added: “The frustrating thing is that solutions have been presented to stop the environmental destruction and honour the request to co-exist, such as moving the project’s proposed dock location to the southern end of the project, which would eliminate the need for dredging, and scaling back the size of the project, which is of a scale more suited to Miami than Exuma. If Yntegra, would follow common-sense revisions, there would be no need for all of this.”
A petition calling for a halt to environmental clearances for the project has received more than 7,100 signatures. You can add your name to the petition at https://www.change.org/stopsampsoncayproject
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