[naviga:h2]Veteran politician's husband charged with money laundering[/naviga:h2]

NIOBE CORINTHIAN SAGA

The controversial Niobe Corinthian casino ship was to set sail from Bermuda for the first time on September 29, according to lawyer Llewellyn Peniston. Mr. Peniston, who acted for the owners of the vessel, said legal loopholes were found that would allow it to be used as a casino outside the Island's territorial waters — despite the recent high-profile prosecution of its captain and general manager.

A vocal opponent of Bermuda's anti-gambling laws, Mr. Peniston acknowledged the inaugural voyage was likely to spark fresh criticism from Bermuda's church lobby, which had voiced opposition to the ship in the past.

In July, the Panamanian captain of casino ship Niobe Corinthian was fined $15,000 for illegally importing 100 gaming machines into Bermuda.

Fermin Alfonso Reyes, 30, was found guilty along with the ship's manager George Kezas, 72, after a trial that first began last September. Kezas, like Reyes, faced a maximum penalty of two years in jail, a $100,000 fine, or both for breaking the law banning gaming machines from Bermuda. Kezas will be sentenced later.

On October 11, the Niobe Corinthian, was damaged after one of its engines overheated and caused a fire in the upper lounge area of the vessel.

Around 9.30 a.m. the ship was en route from St. George's to Dockyard for refuelling when the starboard engine began to heat as the vessel approached Grassy Bay. However, the crew managed to contain and extinguish the fire using onboard equipment before fire personnel arrived. Two Marine and Ports tug boats were standing by to tow the vessel into the commercial berth in the south basin in Dockyard.

On November 26, Following three years of controversy over whether it flouts Bermuda's strict gambling laws, the Niobe Corinthian finally set sail from the Island for the first time.

Passengers boarding the boat at St. David's told The Royal Gazette that although church groups and former Premier Alex Scott had vigorously opposed the venture, they couldn't see what all the fuss was about and were looking forward to a chance for a rare flutter.

Gary Simons, from Pembroke, said: "It's something different to do. People just get bored. You can only drive so far in Bermuda. At least with this boat you can have a little show time, a little gambling and good fun."

BERMUDIANS ADMIT COUNTERFEITING CHARGES IN HALIFAX

Three Bermudians studying in Canada pleaded guilty to using counterfeit cash. The trio made the admission on the morning of their scheduled Supreme Court trial in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The prosecution was due to allege that they bought expensive electronic goods with fake $100 bills. Wayne Howard Tucker, 21, Anthony Gaston Effs, 20, and Dean Martin, 22, were arrested last November after three stores in Halifax, Nova Scotia, told Police suspects purchased and attempted to purchase goods with counterfeit $100 US bills.

This newspaper understood that among the electronic items listed in the allegations were a large flat screen television set, and that the defendants, all of Brunswick Street, Halifax, are students in that city.

DENNIS PAMPLIN CHARGED IN NEW JERSEY

The husband of Deputy Opposition Leader Patricia Gordon-Pamplin claimed he had receipts that would prove where almost $100,000 seized by Police in New Jersey came from. Dennis Pamplin, 57, was arrested on August 28 in Chatham, New Jersey, along with two other men, Ronald Ellis, a 38-year old Bermudian, and Mark Small, 40, of New York, on suspicion of money laundering and conspiracy. Pamplin appeared in a Morristown, New Jersey court along with his co-accused on September 20.

According to reports from the Daily Record in Chatham, his lawyer, Paul Bergrin, told the court his client had financial documentation to prove he legally had more than $98,000 in his possession to buy music equipment. His wife, Mrs. Gordon-Pamplin, attended the hearing.

EMISSIONS COMPANY–DENIES SWEETHEART DEAL

Construction boss Dennis Correia and emissions expert Donal Smith defended the granting of a contract to build an emissions testing facility at the Transport Control Department.

A cousin of Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, Mr. Smith told The Royal Gazette he'd researched and developed his company for 15 years and knew as much about the technology as anyone here.

Mr. Correia – the husband of PLP candidate Jane Correia – admitted he owned 30 percent of Bermuda Emissions Control but defended the decision to grant the company rights to test vehicles at TCD.

Both men denied there was a sweetheart deal worth $8.6 million.

Statistics

The Bank of Bermuda Foundation boosted its revenue by almost $3 million, while putting more than $7.3 million into promoting education. The bank's charitable branch saw its revenue, including dividends, gains on sales of investments and donations received, rise from $3,697.512 in 2005 to $6,283,962 last year.

By 2010 the number of hotel jobs will have decreased further by more than 250 jobs. An extra 1,000 jobs are being created each year in Bermuda and will result in the Island having 44,000 jobs by the year 2010. In 2006, 75 percent of new jobs were filled by non-Bermudians and that trend looks likely to continue. These statistics were presented at an employment seminar in Hamilton given by Profiles of Bermuda.

Inflation continued above four percent for the third month running. The rate of inflation hit 4.3 percent in July, following figures of 4.5 percent and four percent for May and June respectively as inflation peaked at a 16-year high. Overall inflation has increased by more than half from 2.8 percent at the start of 2007, compared to July's second highest total of the year.

Experts predict that by 2030, seniors will make up 22 percent of the Island's population (they currently account for 11 percent).

A survey of new prisoners showed heroin use had doubled to 30 percent while cocaine use had soared to 57 percent.

September 2007 Voices

"We do not all look alike, sound alike, act alike, but we have a common tie that binds us: Bermuda. So why are some of us killing each other? What has gone wrong? What do we do to correct it? Clearly we still have a way to go in terms of our national maturity."

– Acting Premier Paula Cox during a labour day rally speaking about the murder of Shaki Crockwell.

"Bermuda businesses must visualise an integrated workforce for the future or young Bermudians won't be able to build a society of equals. It must visualise an integrated workforce with people of all hues at all levels of management and responsibility. Without this vision the people will perish. Without this vision, young Bermudians, black and white and many others will not be able to see their future or be able to build an exciting and dynamic society of equals."

– Marvin Williams, keynote speaker at the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality's (CURE) annual Excellence Awards and Luncheon.

"There is now an indisputable record showing that the Premier and his Government believe the Island's planning laws and processes do not apply to them. It has become one set of rules for the people and something else for the Government."

– United Bermuda Party MP Cole Simons, referring to recent controversy over the SDO for the neighbouring Jumeirah Southlands resort.

"We want work on the ground with real people who want to do real things with young black males. I believe on one hand you can never have too much information but in this case you need a local solution for a local problem."

– Former Premier Alex Scott speaking on plans for a $400,000 study to be completed by 2009 on young black males in Bermuda.

"We need it right now. We don't have the luxury of waiting for another report to be written, to digest it and act upon it. I think we should act yesterday!"

– Mr. Scott warming to the topic.

"When we started this the Premier was in Los Angeles – he hadn't even entered politics. This is 18 years of painstaking research and development."

– Donal Smith, CEO of Bermuda Emissions Control on the formation of his company and its relationship with his cousin, Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.

"The Premier had nothing to do with any of this. This started under the UBP days — its just like the fast ferries — the PLP continued the momentum. This started long before I knew the Premier. Everything was done through the Accountant General and the Attorney General."

– BEC director Dennis Correia, who's wife, Jane was a PLP candidate in the 2007 election.

"It is once again apparent recidivist individuals are again responsible for a significant amount of crime in this category."

– Assistant Commissioner of Police Carlton Adams

Deaths

Ruth Binns, 25, of Camp Hill Road, Southampton was found murdered on September 25. Miss Binns was a Cellular One employee. She was also known as Ruth Dill and was a former student of the Bermuda Institute. Arnold Shawn Astwood of Devonshire was charged with her murder.

September 2007 Timeline

September 6: A $20 million refurbishment to iconic Fairmont Hamilton Princess, bought by Goodman Investment Group, was underway. The Goodman Investment Group bought the hotel for an undisclosed amount, though it will still be run by the Fairmont management. And rooms were already being cleared and wall paper ripped down as leaders of the tourism industry heralded the news.

September 7: A former education secretary in US president George Bush's administration was unveiled as the man Government hoped would transform Bermuda's failing public schools. Henry L. Johnson was named as the Island's new consultant executive officer for education at a news conference at Cabinet.

A 54-year-old woman was sentenced to a year in jail for writing fraudulent cheques totalling $1.2 million from three bowling league accounts. Jean Marion Burgess was the treasurer for the Junior Bowling League, Bermuda Bowling Federation and Commercial Bowling League for 15 years.

September 8: Police were investigating the discovery of human remains outside a house in Glebe Road, Pembroke. An autopsy was performed later the same day and foul play was ruled out, but due to the advanced state of decomposition of the body, Police were forensically trying to determine the identity of the deceased and its sex.

Forty permanent substitute teachers lost their jobs and public schools were planning to rely on on-call subs to cover staff absences after a scheme costing $3.4 million-a-year was axed. The Ministry of Education was criticised for pulling the plug on the programme, which saw substitute teachers assigned to specific schools and paid a salary regardless of whether or not they provided coverage.

Ground staff at one of the Island's premier golf courses were in a frantic race against the clock to repair a malicious act of vandalism weeks before hosting the PGA Grand Slam of Golf. It was understood Police were investigating the defacement of the 13th green at the Mid Ocean Club that occurred in what was possibly an apparent attempt to sabotage the next month's golf spectacle at the plush Smith's parish golf course.

September 19: A new Government study into young black males was to be spearheaded by an Ivy League Professor. Premier Dr. Ewart Brown hoped the $400,000 study would help the Government implement policies, programmes and legislation that would bridge the gap between this segment of the population and other young adults in Bermuda.

September 21: St. George's landmark replica of the Deliverance sailing ship faced being torn down because no-one was able to afford its upkeep. A desperate call for a buyer to come forward soon was being made by the Corporation of St. George. If no one comes to secure the tourist attraction and bring it back to a safe condition, at an estimated cost of $175,000, the Corporation will have no other option but to pull it down.

A man convicted of multiple gun charges was sent to prison for 12 years by a Supreme Court judge. Allan William Daniels, of Brooklyn Lane, Pembroke, was found guilty of using a firearm to resist arrest, possession of a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without a license. The 28-year old pleaded not guilty to the offences which took place February 12, 2004. He first appeared in Supreme Court for trial May 2005 and was convicted of the possession charges and drug charges but acquitted of attempted murder to Det. Con. Warren Bundy. He appealed three of the convictions and won.

The discovery of asbestos halted plans to demolish the former Club Med and prompted squatters to move back in after being evicted by the Government. In late September nothing has been said since May about the investment firm, Bazarian International, behind the redevelopment of the former hotel.

September 22: Former Bermuda prosecutor Lloyd Rayney issued a statement denying involvement in his wife's death. The move came after the Australian press reported Police had declared him the prime suspect in the murder of Corryn Rayney. Mr. Rayney said he was "enormously distressed" by the stance taken by the Police, which he feared would mean the person responsible will never be apprehended. Forensic testing led Police to believe Supreme Court Registrar Corryn Rayney was killed in the family home in Perth.

September 26: Education Minister Randolph Horton announced plans to step up physical activity in schools as the Island fought back against startling obesity figures. Mr. Horton, a former physical education teacher said he would push for an increase in hours of compulsory exercise as his Ministry reviewed the curriculum. It came after obesity expert Jane DeVille-Almond labelled Bermuda's school system "a disgrace" for failing to dedicate enough time to physical exercise.

The Ministry of Public Safety, not Government House, was unprepared to discuss repatriating sick foreign prisoners, according to a spokesperson for the Governor. A press release was issued by Government House denying charges made by Minister of Public Safety, Sen. David Burch.

During a press conference where he outlined what each of his seven departments had been doing recently Sen. Burch said taxpayers money was being wasted because Government House would not allow his ministry to repatriate foreign prisoners that required urgent medical attention.