Misryoum uncovers a $190,000 park contract awarded to a deputy leader’s brother‑in‑law, exposing policy breaches and fueling political firestorm ahead of the May 12 election.
The Bahamas park contract scandal has erupted just weeks before voters head to the polls, placing former public‑parks chief Shanendon Cartwright under intense scrutiny.
Cartwright, who led the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority (BPPPBA) from July 2017 until September 2021, signed a $190,000 deal with Clement Penn Jr., a landscaping firm run by his wife’s brother.. While the contract itself is modest compared to other deals uncovered, the familial link violates a clear BPPPBA rule that bars employees and their relatives from receiving authority contracts.
During his chairmanship, Cartwright oversaw a series of multi‑million‑dollar agreements that funneled money to several FNM insiders.. The latest revelation shows he approved the Penn contract even though a senior executive had warned that BPPPBA staff were prohibited from engaging in business with the authority.. The board secretary, Marisol Morley‑Pinder, co‑signed the paperwork; her accounts later faced a $2.7 million freeze after the Financial Intelligence Unit flagged suspicious activity.. These connections hint at a broader pattern of patronage that Misryoum has been tracking for months.
Bahamas procurement law requires all public‑sector contracts to undergo a competitive bidding process, with strict conflict‑of‑interest disclosures.. Violations can trigger investigations by the Financial Intelligence Unit and potentially lead to criminal charges.. In Cartwright’s case, the exemption granted to a relative sidestepped these safeguards, raising questions about how many other contracts slipped through under similar pretenses.
Ordinary Bahamians, many of whom struggle with rising living costs, are watching the scandal with growing frustration.. Residents near the newly landscaped sites have reported no noticeable improvements, yet tax dollars continue to disappear into private accounts.. For a community that depends on public beaches and parks for recreation and tourism, the perception that officials are enriching themselves erodes trust in government institutions.
Politically, the timing could not be more critical.. Deputy Leader Michael Pintard, Cartwright’s close ally, faces pressure to distance himself from the controversy while maintaining party unity.. If voters interpret the scandal as evidence of systemic corruption within the Free National Movement, the May 12 election could see a swing toward opposition candidates promising tighter oversight.
Investigation Findings
Misryoum obtained over 235 files from the Financial Intelligence Unit, documenting a web of contracts linked to at least 35 individuals tied to the FNM.. Among these, the Penn contract stands out because it directly involves a family member of a senior party figure.. The files also reveal that Marisol Morley‑Pinder’s frozen assets include payments from multiple BPPPBA projects, suggesting that the alleged misconduct may extend beyond a single deal.
What Comes Next?
The next steps likely involve a formal inquiry by the Office of the Attorney General and possible criminal proceedings if sufficient evidence of fraud emerges.. Cartwright could face disqualification from holding public office, and the FNM may be forced to enact stricter internal controls to restore credibility.. Meanwhile, voters will weigh these revelations against other campaign promises as they decide who will steer the Bahamas into its next fiscal year.
Misryoum will continue to monitor court filings, statements from party officials, and any policy reforms proposed in the wake of the scandal.. The unfolding story underscores how a single contract, though modest in size, can ignite broader debates about transparency, accountability, and the health of Bahamian democracy.