Minister Seeks To Clear Air On Anna Nicole Controversy:

By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas:

An investigation into claims that American reality TV star Anna Nicole Smith does not own her Eastern Road home and faces eviction has revealed otherwise, according to Immigration Minister Shane Gibson.

Referring to the Department of Immigration’s file on Vicky Lynn Hogan Marshall – Ms. Smith’s real name – Minister Gibson told members of the House of Assembly on Wednesday night that thus far, it has been revealed that the former Playboy playmate had "unconditionally" purchased a $1 million home in New Providence.

"The file also contains a notarized copy of a conveyance prepared by Callenders & Co., executed by George Clifford Culmer, liquidator; and Ronald H. Kelly, transferring ownership of the property in question to Vicky Lynn Marshall," Minister Gibson said.

"The file further reveals that the $10,000 permanent residence fee was paid by a cheque drawn on the account of Callenders & Co. The law firm has since advised that at the time of the application, the conveyance on file was executed in favour of Vicky Lynn Marshall."

Minister Gibson further claimed that Callenders & Co. not only represented Ms Smith, but at the time, also Mr. Culmer.

According to the minister, Callenders & Co. now purports to represent Mr. Culmer as well as Gaither Ben Thompson, a South Carolina-based real estate developer.

Mr. Thompson, whom Ms. Smith reportedly had a brief relationship with last year, claims to be the actual owner of Horizons – the Eastern Road waterfront mansion where the Trimspa model is staying.

Mr. Thompson wants her out of the house by the end of the month. He has otherwise threatened to begin formal eviction proceedings.

The real estate developer seems to have bought the home in August as a favour to Ms Smith with the understanding that she would take out a mortgage and pay him for the home.

However, Ms. Smith has reportedly refused to pay, claiming that the house had been intended as a gift, a claim Mr. Thompson denies.

The law in the Bahamas states that a person owning a house valued at more than $500,000 and having the means to reside without being employed – and being of good character – is eligible for residency.

If it is found that Ms. Smith does not own the house, this could affect her permanent residency status here in The Bahamas, where she gave birth to a baby girl last month. Ms. Smith recently buried her 20-year-old son Daniel Wayne Smith at Lakeview Cemetery in New Providence.

Daniel died suddenly while visiting his mother, only days after she had given birth to her daughter, Dannielyn Hope.

"The investigation now underway by the Department of Immigration has yet to uncover any evidence that the Central Bank of The Bahamas or the National Economic Council granted any approval or if indeed there was any request as provided for under the law for Mr. Ben Thompson, a foreigner, to hold a mortgage on property in The Bahamas as has been publicly alleged," Minister Gibson said.

He assured that in the event it is discovered that any of the information or representation made to the Department of Immigration is inaccurate, untrue or misleading, the matter would be dealt with to the "fullest extent of the law."

"The investigation into this matter is ongoing, in addition to which the department is seeking the advice of the Attorney General on referring the details of this matter to the Council of The Bahamas Bar Association for its consideration," he said.

Minister Gibson has faced scathing criticisms in recent weeks from the Opposition Free National Movement over his decision to fast track Ms. Smith’s permanent residency application. The minister insists the process took three months, agreeing that this was "done very quickly."

But as he did in an earlier interview with the Bahama Journal, he also insisted that this was not the first time an application was processed in record time, as recently pointed out by former Free National Movement Cabinet Minister Dr. Earl Deveaux.

At the time, Dr. Deveaux charged that the processing of Ms. Smith’s application in just three months would set a "disturbing precedent".

But Minister Gibson again cited the case of Czech financier Viktor Kozeny, whose application was reportedly processed in about six weeks to two months.

He added that an application was approved for Derek Turner, the Bahamas-based international securities trader who was convicted last year of running a phony investment scheme in 42 days.

The minister further claimed that on April 9, 2002, a relative of a present sitting Member of Parliament applied for permanent residency status. The application was approved five days later on April 14, he said.

27 October 2006

immigration