Gov't Suing Its Former Lawyer And BVI Airways Director
Offshore Alerts, an investigative financial overseas news media, is reporting that the Government of the Virgin Islands had file a Discovery Application before the court against its former United States Legal Counsel, Lester Hyman, in relation to the BVI Airways deal.
The case is said to mention the $7.2M that Government invested towards the establishment of BVI Airways, which was expected to offer Tortola/Miami flight service. The service never materialized and became a saga, as well as a who is to be blamed and what happened mystery.
Hyman was tied to the BVI Airways matter when he was named as a Director of the defunct airline in an announcement that was made by former Premier, Dr. D. Orlando Smith, during the questions and answers segment of the May 11, 2017 sitting of the House of Assembly.
As months rolled on and questions prevailed, both the former (Dr. Smith) and the current Premier of the Territory, Hon. Andrew Fahie, announced that they were seeking information and were interested in recouping money invested. However, it is not clear which of the administrations are behind the alleged filing.
It is being alleged that the filing was made by the Attorney General of the BVI to the US District Court of Columbia, in an effort to take discovery from Lester Hyman, a Washington, DC-based lawyer.
The publication in reporting on the lawsuit stated that the monies that were paid in relation to the BVI Airways deal was mentioned.
“Claiming a loss of $7.2 million, the BVI Government intends to sue its former 30-year US-based legal representative, Lester Hyman, for suspected self-dealing regarding a failed airline venture to operate flights between the BVI and Miami,” Offshore Alert reported.
The filed application is to take discovery from Hyman, who is said to have "represented the BVI Government in an attorney-client capacity from 1987 to July 30, 2017, as of which date the the BVI Government terminated Mr. Hyman…for use in contemplated legal proceedings in the BVI against Hyman for suspected fraud at equity, breach of fiduciary care and loyalty, and negligence regarding a failed airline venture to operate direct flights between the BVI and Miami,” it was further noted in the media report.
Hyman was tied to the BVI Airways matter when he was named as a Director of the defunct airline in an announcement that was made by former Premier, Dr. D. Orlando Smith, during the questions and answers segment of the May 11, 2017 sitting of the House of Assembly.
As months rolled on and questions prevailed, both the former (Dr. Smith) and the current Premier of the Territory, Hon. Andrew Fahie, announced that they were seeking information and were interested in recouping money invested. However, it is not clear which of the administrations are behind the alleged filing.
It is being alleged that the filing was made by the Attorney General of the BVI to the US District Court of Columbia, in an effort to take discovery from Lester Hyman, a Washington, DC-based lawyer.
The publication in reporting on the lawsuit stated that the monies that were paid in relation to the BVI Airways deal was mentioned.
“Claiming a loss of $7.2 million, the BVI Government intends to sue its former 30-year US-based legal representative, Lester Hyman, for suspected self-dealing regarding a failed airline venture to operate flights between the BVI and Miami,” Offshore Alert reported.
The filed application is to take discovery from Hyman, who is said to have "represented the BVI Government in an attorney-client capacity from 1987 to July 30, 2017, as of which date the the BVI Government terminated Mr. Hyman…for use in contemplated legal proceedings in the BVI against Hyman for suspected fraud at equity, breach of fiduciary care and loyalty, and negligence regarding a failed airline venture to operate direct flights between the BVI and Miami,” it was further noted in the media report.
