New Details in Eric Gardiner’s Case Sparking Response From FNM and COI

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UNITED STATES – A new court filing in the United States is adding another twist to the case against Jonathan Eric Gardiner.

Gardiner, who survived an Election Day plane crash before being detained by U.S. authorities the following day, is accused of involvement in an international drug trafficking conspiracy.

At the center of the latest court document is approximately $30,000 in cash recovered by investigators.

In a 22-page document filed in a U.S. court yesterday, Gardiner’s lawyer, Susy Ribero-Ayala, maintained that some of the cash he was found with was “campaign related.”

The claims are now drawing reaction from the political opposition.

Free National Movement Chairman Dr. Duane Sands says the filing raises serious questions about the source of the money and any possible political connections.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement

“Is he admitting that he was allegedly given money to the PLP for that campaign? And so what was the source of these funds? Why have high-profile people in the PLP been keeping company with a convicted narcotrafficker? Who in the PLP was in contact with Eric Claire Gardiner, and what was the nature of their relationship? Did he give money to the PLP before or during the election?”

Sands also questioned what he describes as a lack of response from government officials and what appears to be a lack of transparency.

Dr. Duane Sands – Chairman, Free National Movement

“The executive seems to have given instructions to the legislative branch because the legislative branch says, ‘We ain’t talking about that.’ I was under the impression, according to my understanding of the Constitution, that these were co-equal but independent branches of government. So how is it that the executive is giving the Senate and the House of Assembly instructions about what they can talk about and what they can’t talk about?”

Meanwhile, Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain says the disclosures should concern every Bahamian and warrant a thorough investigation.

Lincoln Bain – Leader, Coalition of Independents

“My biggest concern about the response of the PLP chairman and the PLP on the whole is that what they should have done was launch a proper investigation. They should have told us from the beginning that they’ve launched an investigation instead of trying to brush it aside as nothing. That caused Bahamians, right-thinking Bahamians, to be suspicious.”

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell was contacted for comments on the latest court filing.

However, he declined to comment.