ABCDE NATIONAL WEEKLY Worst Week Secretary of Defense Ash Carter 3 Politics Cruz really knows his backers 4 Health The secret to long life is in you 16 5 Myths Family dinners 23 Sublimely beautiful Lesbos has been transformed by an unparalleled migration. PAGE 12 SAFE HARBOR THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 . IN COLLABORATION WITH High of 86 Low of 75 Moderate to rough with wave heights of 4 to 6 feet. THE WASHINGTON POST Safe harbor EDITORIAL | PAgE 4 Default settings: Banks offer clarity on trouBleD loans ESTABLISHED 1965 www.caymancompass.com – 50 CENTS – MonDay DeceMBer 21, 2015 FOUR LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER: SEVEN MILE BEACH, WATERFRONT, WALKERS ROAD, TOWN CENTRE PLAZA Michael klein mklein@pinnaclemedialtd.com The liquidators of Caledonian have informed creditors that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has internally approved a settle- ment that involves no payment by Caledonian Bank and Caledonian Securities. The agreement still needs to be approved by the Cayman Islands Grand Court and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The agreement would settle charges against the bank and its brokerage arm which alleged their participation in a penny stock pump-and-dump scheme in- volving the sale of unregistered securities. The Cayman court has scheduled a hearing of the matter for Jan. 26. If approved, the lack of a settlement pay- ment will add to the return that the bank’s de- positors and creditors can expect to receive. In September, the Caledonian liquidators estimated a return of between 89.5 cents and 94 cents on the dollar if the claim against the bank was resolved and no new unaccounted claims were made. This estimate was already based on the assumption that no payment to the SEC would have to be made. “The confidential settlement agreement deals with various matters but importantly it stipu- lates that no monetary payment is required to be made to the SEC by either [Caledonian Bank] or [Caledonian Securities] and that the SEC will not pursue any claim in the liquidations of [Caledonian Bank] or [Caledonian Securities] with respect to the SEC proceeding,” the liqui- dators’ note to creditors said. Once the courts have sanctioned the settle- ment agreement, the liquidators will be able to declare a third interim dividend in the liq- uidation of the bank. Details of the size and timing of the payment will be provided at a later date, the note said. SEC proposes $0 Caledonian settlement Brent fuller bfuller@pinnaclemedialtd.com The former chairman of the Cayman Islands National Insurance Company told a Grand Court jury Friday that he “scanned over” a copy of the US$13-million contract for the CarePay patient swipe-card system less than 24 hours prior to signing it in December 2010. CINICO’s chief executive testified earlier in the week that he had come on the job just before the CarePay contract was signed and had not read the deal before putting pen to paper on obligations that were to cost the public hospital system more than US$2 million per year for the next five years. Prosecutors in the trial of former Health Services Authority Board Chairman Canover Watson have suggested that the apparent lack of scrutiny over the CarePay contract was due to de- liberate efforts by Watson to mislead and hide the details from those who had responsibility for it. Watson and his business partner Jeffrey Webb have been accused of personally benefitting from proceeds of the CarePay contract, which the Crown alleges Watson directed to a company of his choosing as health authority board chairman. Watson and his former personal assistant Miriam Rodriguez are also charged with transferring criminal property, namely the proceeds of the CarePay contract, to Webb and others. Both Watson and Rodriguez have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Webb, who is also charged in the case, is facing sentencing in a separate criminal matter in the U.S. next year and is not a defendant in the Cayman trial. Watson’s lawyers have suggested that the lack CarePay trial: TesTimony reveals liTTle scruTiny for us$13m conTracT The long-awaited “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” movie opened to a packed house Friday evening at Camana Bay. Greeted by a large replica X-wing fighter hanging above the theater ticket window, “Star Wars” devotees showed off their best Princess leia and storm trooper costumes. Friday night was mainly for adults, but the kids got their chance to pose with Darth Vader and fight with lightsabers Saturday. See more photos on page 11. above, 7-year-old Hamish Carmichael said ‘Star Wars: the Force awakens’ was the best ‘Star Wars’ yet. - PhoTo: maTT lamers ‘Star Wars’ opens to a packed house charles Duncan cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com After six months working as the head an- imal trainer at the Cayman Turtle Farm, Amy Souster quit because of the conditions in which turtles and other animals were kept at the West Bay tourist attraction, she said. The big project the Turtle Farm wanted her to work on, which she said she learned about after arriving on island, was a scheme to train turtles to give tourists rides in the water. In interviews with the Cayman Compass, Ms. Souster described the conditions of the animals she worked with and how proposals to improve life for the turtles, sharks, fish and birds at the Turtle Farm were allegedly mostly not carried out when she left in 2013. A turtle named Myrtle Ms. Souster, a U.K. national, replied to an advertisement for the “Cayman Turtle Park,” she explained by phone from Cornwall, where she now works with a gray seal re- habilitation program. She started work at the Turtle Farm in October 2012. Her former partner had trained green Shell shock over turtle-riding scheme PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 9 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 » PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 8 »2 LOCAL&REGIONAL Monday deceMber 21, 2015 • Cayman Compass www. REGmovies.com SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any lm starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. © y x *Additional charges will apply per 3D ticket requested. - MONDAY - $8.00 ALVIN & THE CHIPMUNKS ROAD CHIP (PG) 1:15 I 3:40 I 7:10 I 9:30 STAR WARS VII 3D (PG13) 1:00 I 2:00 2D I 4:00 2D I 5:00 7:00 I 8:00 2D I 9:20 I 10:00 2D SISTERS (R) 1:30 I 4:15 I 7:15 I 9:55 THE GOOD DINOSAUR 3D (PG) 12:30 | 4:00 2D I 6:30 I 9:40 2D IN THE HEART OF THE SEA 3D (PG13) 12:45 2D I 3:00 I 6:45 2D 21st Dec 1943 – 16th May 2006 Thinking of you on your birthday with sadness in our hearts for a very special mother from whom we had to part All our life we will miss you as the years come and go but in our hearts you will live forever because we love you so A beautiful memory left behind.. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. We have lost heaven has gained.. The dearest mother God ever gave From your children, grandchildren & greatgranchildren Anne Brenda Dawson A beautiful memory left behind.. A beautiful memory left behind.. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. We have lost heaven has gained.. We have lost heaven has gained.. The dearest mother God ever gaveThe dearest mother God ever gave grandchildren & greatgranchildrengrandchildren & greatgranchildren A beautiful memory left behind.. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. We have lost heaven has gained.. We have lost heaven has gained.. The dearest mother God ever gaveThe dearest mother God ever gave grandchildren & greatgranchildrengrandchildren & greatgranchildren A beautiful memory left behind.. A beautiful memory left behind.. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. We have lost heaven has gained.. We have lost heaven has gained.. The dearest mother God ever gaveThe dearest mother God ever gave grandchildren & greatgranchildrengrandchildren & greatgranchildren A beautiful memory left behind.. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. Of a mother ever so gentle and kind. We have lost heaven has gained.. We have lost heaven has gained.. The dearest mother God ever gaveThe dearest mother God ever gave REOPENING OUR DOORS TO SERVE YOU THIS IS We’ve reopened Western Union® services at Foster’s Food Fair Island wide. For more information call (345) 943-4700 NEW YORK (AP) – A federal judge in New York has set bail for the former president of Honduras who is charged as part of a broad prosecution into soccer’s governing body. The judge ordered former President Rafael Callejas freed on $4 million bond last week. Callejas is a member of FIFA’s television and mar- keting committee. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to racketeering conspiracy and wire fraud charges for his alleged role in a bribery scheme involving broadcasting and hosting rights for the World Cup and other FIFA events. His lawyer did not speak with reporters in court Tuesday. Callejas served as presi- dent of Honduras from 1990 to 1994. He was among 16 new de- fendants named in a revised indictment that was unsealed earlier this month. U.S. prosecutors charged 14 others in May. Police are investigating a West Bay Road shooting after a teenager showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound early Saturday. An 18-year-old George Town man is listed in stable condition after being shot sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. Police responded Saturday at 3:30 a.m. to a report of a shooting outside a nightclub on Seven Mile Beach and are investigating whether the two incidents are connected. Police interviewed the man at the Cayman Islands Hospital at about 5:45 a.m. Saturday, where he went to be treated for a gunshot to the lower abdomen. Police say the injuries are not considered life threatening, and the man’s condition was listed as stable. The shooting is the second incident in a month at the 7 Mile Shops plaza on West Bay Road. A month ago police ar- rested a 30-year-old man from George Town for allegedly stabbing another man, 18, out- side of Nectar Bar. That man was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. The victim was taken to the Cayman Islands Hospital and treated for a collapsed lung. Police ask anyone with in- formation about the shooting to call the George Town po- lice station at 949-4222 or Crime Stoppers at 800-8477. A pregnant woman swerved to avoid a car parked in the middle of the Esterly Tibbetts Highway and the SUV she was driving in flipped Saturday morning, ac- cording to police. Emergency workers took the 23-year-old West Bay woman, the only person in that vehicle, to the Cayman Islands Hospital to be treated for a cut to her head. The crash happened just before 10:30 a.m. near the new Kimpton hotel site. According to Detective Chief Inspector Raymond Christian of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the woman was driving toward George Town when she swerved to avoid a parked vehicle. The parked ve- hicle’s passengers were put- ting out road cones before cut- ting the grass in the highway median, Mr. Christian said. “The victim allegedly swerved from colliding into the parked vehicle, appar- ently lost control and collided with the guard rail on the left side of that carriage way. On impact, the vehicle flipped and landed on its roof in the middle of the two travel lanes to George Town,” he said. The woman was con- scious and spoke with police when they arrived on scene. Honduran ex-president freed on us$4M bond in fifa case Teen in stable condition after weekend shooting Woman escapes serious injury after vehicle flips PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – Several government build- ings were set ablaze in scattered sections of Haiti and one demonstrator was killed in violent protests ig- nited by the release of final legislative election results, officials said Saturday. Street demonstrations and clashes between fac- tions troubled several towns around the Caribbean country, though the crowded capital of Port-au- Prince and most other areas of the country of 10 million people were peaceful. In parts of northern and southern Haiti, angry par- tisans insisted that the re- sults released late Friday by the much-criticized electoral council did not reflect the will of voters. Presidential and leg- islative runoffs are scheduled for next weekend amid nu- merous accusations of fraud and manipulation of results. Police Inspector Guytho Noel said an 18-year-old protester was fatally shot when two factions clashed on the streets of the north- eastern town of Terrier Rouge. Demonstrators burned an elections office, set tire barricades aflame and smashed the windows of a shop, he said. In the nearby town of Ferrier, another elections office burned and the may- or’s office was lit on fire. In northwestern Haiti, some houses and schools were set ablaze. Police also reported scattered unrest in a few parts of southern Haiti. The Haitian National Police said it was trying to restore order Saturday. The long-delayed par- liamentary results were re- leased just over a week be- fore the Dec. 27 runoffs. All 10 sitting members of Haiti’s Senate had urged President Michel Martelly to prevent electoral authorities from issuing final results for legislative races until a com- mission could be set up to verify the integrity of the vote. A series of elections this year is picking a new presi- dent, two-thirds of the 30-seat Senate, the entire 119-member Chamber of Deputies and nu- merous local offices. Former President Rafael Callejas is a member of FIFA’s television and marketing committee. election results ignite violent protests in Haiti An SUV flipped over on Saturday after the driver swerved to avoid a parked vehicle, police said. - pHoto: taneos raMsayThe islands’ most-trusted news source 3 Cayman Compass • Monday deceMber 21, 2015 The islands’ most-trusted news source 4 – EDITORIAL – Opinion&Letters The Cayman Compass welcomes comments, opinions and viewpoints from readers. Letters to the editor can be emailed to editor@pinnaclemedialtd.com, submitted via www.caymancompass.com, sent by post or hand-delivered to the Compass office. Printed and Published by: Caymanian Compass Limited (a subsidiary of Pinnacle Media Ltd) Compass Centre Shedden Road, George Town send us yOur VieWs Or neWs: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman KY1-1108, Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@pinnaclemedialtd.com adVertise With us: Telephone: (345) 949-5111 Email: sales@pinnaclemedialtd.com Website: www.caymancompass.com PUBLISHERS daVid r. legge and Vicki l. legge EdITOR-In-CHIEf daVid r. legge A MEMBER OF THE INTER-AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION “Give light and the people will findtheirownway” Amendments to banking codes don’t normally appear on anyone’s Christmas list. But for local residents, recent changes made by the Cayman Islands Bankers’ Associa- tion, regarding how the territory’s financial institutions handle troubled loans, are cause for cheer. The revisions made by CIBA detail the procedures local banks must follow when borrowers find themselves unable to make payments on loans, such as potential alternative repayment options, or also possible repos- session of property. All members of CIBA — including retail banks Butterfield, Cayman National, CIBC First- Caribbean, Fidelity, RBC Royal Bank and Scotiabank — have to adhere to those procedures. (Neither the Civil Service Association Cooperative Credit Union nor the Cayman Islands Development Bank is a CIBA member.) In a story that appeared in Wednesday’s Compass, CIBA President Mark McIntyre said the expanded banking code should provide clarity to customers and lenders when financial difficulties develop. We applaud the bankers’ association for its proac- tive measure to outline best practices for member insti- tutions. While it is, of course, a far more serious and personal crisis for individuals who are faced with the prospect of losing their home — foreclosing on property is the least desirable outcome for the lending institution, as well. As was demonstrated during the financial crisis that led to the global recession, massive waves of debt defaults can send tremors through the financial sector, and shake the foundations of the banking industry itself. Mr. McIntyre offered sound advice for clients with mortgages: “If people are in financial problems, please talk to your bank. The bank is not in the real estate business. We don’t want to sell property. Our prefer- ence is to renegotiate the terms.” Also in the story, Mr. McIntyre expressed frustration at “noise in the marketplace that banks are somehow behaving inappropriately” when it comes to foreclo- sures in recent years. Mr. McIntyre phrased the issue a bit more delicately than we would. We, in fact, would say that a relatively small number of relatively loud people, on radio talk shows, in print publications, and — most troubling — in the Legislative Assembly, have attempted to portray our local banks as villains who lay snares in order to snatch people’s homes right out from under them — presumably, somehow, in order to make a few quick dollars. That sort of thinking, of course, ignores the costs associated with banks diverging from their core function — that is, banking; and the reality that foreclosures in Cayman are, statistically speaking, fairly rare occurrences. While we empathize with people who encounter hard times and lose their homes after years of making mortgage payments, it is also important to understand that banks are business entities, and mortgages are partnerships that have been agreed to, and signed, by both parties in full awareness of their terms. Even in the worst-case scenario of a foreclosure, all that can be said of the bank is it is attempting to recoup expenses it has already incurred. In Cayman, the institutions that hold mortgages are not faceless conglomerates, and should not be conflated with the litany of providers that comprise our interna- tional financial services sector. Cayman’s lenders are local banks, and are vital components of our local business community and the workings of our country’s economy. We hope the community, and our political leaders, will perceive the recent expansion of CIBA’s banking code for what it is: a symbolic and practical gesture of goodwill to the people of Cayman, and a good-faith effort by local banks to preserve people’s mortgages and to keep them in the homes they love. Default settings: Banks offer clarity on troubled loans The Mayor, Boris Johnson, has intervened in the running debate about EU migrant benefits to say that the Prime Minister is within his rights to suggest Britain should be allowed to amend the rules. Mr. Johnson says that if Denmark can have an EU opt-out when it comes to foreigners buying Danish homes then Britain too should be allowed to amend EU rules to regain some control of its borders. For good measure he remarks that the Prime Minister is more Eurosceptic than some of his colleagues. The big picture here is that David Cameron needs to secure concessions from the EU before the in-out referendum that would enable him to argue for Britain to remain in the Union. One critical area for Eurosceptics is for Britain to regain control of immi- gration from the EU and so exert some control over our borders. Trouble is, the de- bate is now less about the end, than the means. The Prime Minister’s preferred method of curbing the num- bers is to confine benefits to EU citizens who have lived here for four years or more. Some EU leaders dis- agreed on the basis it would be discriminatory. But when the Prime Minister’s team suggested he might back down on the proposals, Eurosceptics saw this as capitulation. There are reasons to doubt that restricting in- work benefits to EU migrants would have much effect on the numbers coming here anyway. The reason why so many EU citizens make for Britain is that large num- bers of jobs are available here, by comparison with their own states. It is ques- tionable whether many of them would be put off by limits on benefits. The Prime Minister is within his rights to say that he is prepared to be flexible about how he achieves his aims. That is pure pragmatism. Yet if Mr. Cameron is going to backpedal, he needs to spell out what will achieve his ends. Some Eurosceptics are unim- pressed by his approach and would prefer him to aim for bigger concessions, such as the right of member states to opt out of EU laws. Mr. Cameron must find an alter- native way of arriving at his destination. Mr Johnson is right: the EU is not quite the monolith it seems. There are ways of achieving compro- mise within the system as it stands. But it takes time: the PM doesn’t have much left. The crowds in London for Christmas shopping are a festive opportunity for pickpockets: police figures suggest that the number of thefts is up by seven per cent this season on last year. London is a safe city but op- portunists will make for crowds. Young women are the most vulnerable to theft, presumably because their money and mobiles are ac- cessible in handbags. But forewarned is fore- armed. The police offer the commonsense advice that we should be mindful of our cash when we are in crowds and also suggest we ensure that our insurance policies include losses away from home, to cover thefts by pick- pockets. We should also, they say, be alert to distraction techniques. And one Met ad- viser points out that being drunk increases our vulner- ability. It’s all obvious, but still worth saying. The delay about ex- panding aviation capacity may be dispiriting but if we are to have further debate, it is vital to be open about any information which may swing the verdict. Sadiq Khan, Labour’s mayoral can- didate, today calls for the publication of detailed flight paths, which would show the impact on local communities of a third runway, particu- larly when it comes to noise pollution. He is right: if we can’t have a decision made speedily, the least we can de- mand is full transparency over the facts. © 2015, London Evening Standard Monday deCeMber 21, 2015 • Cayman COmpass Cameron’s bid to curb EU migration Prime Minister David Cameron addresses an industry group in London on Nov. 9. - Photo: Simon DawSon/BloomBergThe islands’ most-trusted news source 5 Cayman Compass • Monday deceMber 21, 2015 kim.lund@remax.ky www.caymanlundteam.com Kim Lund (345) 949.9772 7 Mile Shops, West Bay Rd, Grand Cayman CIREBA MEMEBER Cayman Islands AERIAL VIEW OF STRAND OUTLINED SITE OF STRAND AS A LONG TERM INCOME AND CAPITAL APPRECIATION INVESTMENT, THE TIMING AND LOCATION COULD NOT BE ANY BETTER FOR THE STRAND SHOPPING CENTER. OFFERED FOR SALE AT US$15,495,000 • Extremely high tra c and sought after location in the heart of Seven Mile Beach • Anchored by two very reputable Cayman Landmarks - Foster’s Food Fair and Kirk Freeport • Huge exposure with 1,000 feet of road frontage on West Bay Road and Canal Point Drive • Only a few minutes walk from Ritz-Carlton and the other major hotels and condominium complexes • Large 6.16 acre site with easy access and lots of convenient parking • Well established property for over 18 years at this location • Solid mix of owner occupied shops/businesses and Landlord leasehold space • Property sale is comprised of 24 shops and 36,420 square feet of income space • All shops are strati ed and could be sold on an individual basis • 100% occupied and historically, there is always a waiting list for shop space • Freehold title and Neighborhood Commercial zoning • Best located shopping center that is always busy and in demand • Consistently strong demand for shop space, due to success of shopping center • Currently an 8%+ NET income return based on sales price • Strong upside potential for rental income as leases renew over next few years • Shops can be sold o individually and a high capital return realized • Enormous forthcoming bene ts from being located in the center of an area undergoing a massive development and infrastructure boom • Future rental income and capital appreciation should soar over the next 5 to 10 years, due to a much higher concentration of tourists and residents in the area MLS#404913Monday deceMber 21, 2015 • Cayman Compass DISTRICT DAYS 6 District Days George Town A horsey Christmas with all the trimmings It was a fun-filled day of elves, jingle bells and Santa, of course, on Dec. 12 at the Equestrian Centre. There were plenty of festive activities for kids, including cos- tume contests and Christmas-themed games, a bake sale, and special holiday activities in the Pony Park for the youngest horse lovers. Even horses and ponies donned all sorts of holiday sparkles and decorations, and Lulu the donkey did her bit by allowing herself to be adorned with ornaments. Adding to the fun were Christmas carol hayrides with Santa, whose enthusiastic singing got everyone in the holiday spirit. Lulu the donkey got into the Chrismas spirit with the help of Tony Ibarra and Basil Humphries. Olivia WhitefieldAbbey and Megan Swartz, accompanied by Blitzen, were fully decked out. Basil Humphries outdid hims-elf in the costume department.The stocking were hung by the barn with care. Santa impressed all with his singing skills on the hay ride. Jenna Superfine and Abi Whitefield. 50 yeArS Ago: Commissioner’s cocktail party, and Christmas arrivals The Dec. 22, 1965 edition of the Caymanian Weekly, a predecessor of the Cayman Compass, had lots to re- port on notable social events leading up the Christmas holidays, including one marking a long-awaited move-in for the Police Commissioner: “A very pleasant Cocktail Party was held at the White House, South Sound, on Friday when the Commissioner of Police, Capt. G.S.H. Ellis, entertained many guests. “This was rather in the nature of a house-warming and those present were delighted to inspect the lovely home at present occu- pied by Capt. Ellis. “It is gratifying to know that at last Capt. Ellis has been able to unpack his books and other possessions which have remained in crates for almost 2 years while he moved from residence to residence about town. It is also a pleasure to recall that this house be- longs to Cayman and will always be available to offer pleasant accommo- dation in a most desirable and re- laxing spot to all who, in future days, will serve us in an official capacity. “Last weekend must surely have been a record-breaking one so far as in-coming passengers on airlines are concerned. “On Saturday B.W.I.A. carried 52 persons from Miami and 41 from Jamaica and a special flight on Sunday brought a further 54. LACSA had a special flight from Miami to Grand Cayman on Sunday to bring 55 passengers … the Pacific Western plane from Vancouver brought 96 and Cayman Brac Airways had 4 flights, 3 on Sunday and 1 on Monday trans- porting 34 passengers. This makes a grand total of 332 arrivals.” Cayman Compass • Monday deceMber 21, 2015 7 DISTRICT DAYS District Days George Town a Casa Christmas With the weather fully cooperating, friends and family gathered in the school garden on Dec. 18 to take in the Casa Montessori Christmas show. All of the students, who range from 3 months to 5 years old, played a part, performing such favorites as “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer” with great enthusiasm. Christmas at George Town primary George Town Primary School held its annual Infants and Juniors Christmas concerts with the theme of “Home for Christmas” on Dec. 16 with songs, carols and the nativity story. Left: At the Infants concert, the Angel Gabriel tells the shepherds the good news. Center: Reception students, from left: Janae Terry, Alexandria Lindsay, Keilani Pouchie Bazil, Ariella McLaughlin, Omar Reid, Rihana Sevilla, Cassidy Ebanks, Zai Rivera and Ra’Jon Boothe. Right: From left, Leilya Hydes and Najwa Ow perform at the Infants Concert. a st. Ignatius Christmas Left: It was a packed house on Dec. 16 as the St. Ignatius community came together to celebrate the Christmas season. Orchestras, a brass ensemble, violinists and choirs wowed family and friends. The school also held the drawing of its $25,000 raffle prize which went to Sandra Forrest. - Photo: Patrick Brendel Above: Veronica Heffernan, left, head of Primary at St. Ignatius, Father Suresh, pastor of St. Ignatius Church, second from right, and Peter Embleton, head of Secondary, right, pose with $25,000 grand prize winner Sandra Forrest. The islands’ most-trusted news source 8 Monday deceMber 21, 2015 • Cayman Compass †Scotiabank Gold MasterCard® Holiday Bonus: Receive an additional 2% cashback bonus along with the current 3% Cash Back at all Grocery Stores & Supermarkets for a total of 5% Holiday Bonus Cashback. Offer good from Dec 1st to Dec 31st 2015. Holiday Bonus of an additional 2% cash back on all qualifying purchases made by the cardholder at merchants which are classified in the MasterCard network as Grocery Stores & Supermarkets (Merchant Code: 5411). The referred additional 2% cash back will be applied on their first $2,500 USD qualifying purchases (or equivalent in local currency) spent during the Promotional Period. The maximum cash back reward amount to be earned on the additional 2% bonus during this promotion is $50 USD (or equivalent in local currency). The amount of qualifying purchases and the amount of cash back reward earned will be shown separately in your credit card statement. The cash back earned in this Holiday Bonus Promotion will be credited in the credit card account in November 2016. The Holiday Bonus Promotion will be governed by all the clauses stated in the Scotiabank Cash Back Rewards Program for Credit Cards Terms & Conditions. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. ® MasterCard and BusinessCard are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated, used under licence. Visit cayman. scotiabank.com/creditcards for more information. /ScotiabankKY#MostCashBackEver Visit your nearest branch or cayman.scotiabank.com/creditcards Just for the holidays! Discover what’s possible From December 1 to 31, 2015, get up to 5%† cash back when you use your Scotiabank Gold MasterCard.® Need a card? Apply today! FOR THE HOLIDAYS!†ALL YEAR ROUND! at gas stations & grocery stores at pharmacieseverywhere else 3% 2% 1% at grocery stores 5%† Just for the holidays! Shell shock over turtle-riding scheme sea turtles in St. Thomas to come to tourists and let them scrub their shells with brushes. “It’s something they do naturally, and they liked it,” she said. And that’s about what she expected in Cayman – to teach the turtles some- thing simple and fun for tourists that the turtles would enjoy. She said she discovered that Tim Adam, Cayman Turtle Farm director, and other leaders at the attraction wanted her to develop turtle rides. “I physically laughed,” she said, “I kept waiting for them to say they were joking.” But they weren’t. A former trainer had already started working on the idea with one turtle, a female with about a 2-foot diameter shell, she said. The turtle’s name was Myrtle. “I thought it was a ridic- ulous idea,” Ms. Souster said. “We had proven that it was possible,” Mr. Adam said in an interview last week. He said earlier training had taught the green sea turtle to approach tourists and allow them to hold on to her shell and give rides. He said the idea was to have two shows a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, when six visitors could take turns being pulled through the water by the turtle. The Turtle Farm later abandoned the plan, but Mr. Adam and Ms. Souster gave different accounts of why they stopped working on the turtle ride attraction. Ms. Souster said she pushed to change the minds of people at the Cayman Turtle Farm, citing an investigation at the farm at the time by World Animal Protection, then called the World Society for the Protection of Animals. Mr. Adam said the pro- gram ended because the turtle that would potentially be used for the rides intro- duced salmonella into the public swimming area, and it became too hard to clean. “It wasn’t the right time to do it,” Mr. Adam said. Nevertheless, he said, “It was so cool to watch, and the people loved it.” More than turtles Ms. Souster’s descriptions of conditions for animals at the Cayman Turtle Farm have been confirmed through farm re- cords, on and off-record inter- views with current and former employees and documen- tary evidence, including pho- tographs and Cayman Turtle Farm board meeting minutes. She told the Compass, “I was continually bombarded with more issues regarding the general welfare of all of the animals at CTF. I watched the farm workers fishing out the daily dead baby turtles from the nursery tanks.” In the years since, the Turtle Farm has made some reforms, recently introducing lettuce and other more varied food for tourists to feed to turtles beyond the grain pellet diet they receive. The farm has also started installing shade structures above turtle tanks in the tourist area, and Mr. Adams said the facility will also put shade over the commercial food production tanks, kept separate from the more than 200,000 visitors who pass through the park annually. “The daily grind of watching the suffering, the tur- tles being grabbed out of the handling tanks by the swarms of tourists, scrabbling to get to the surface for the same pel- lets, the huge wounds on their bodies, I felt utterly helpless to stop their suffering,” Ms. Souster wrote in a separate email to the newspaper. She said, “I don’t quite un- derstand why the situation was as dire as it was.” Two nurse sharks at the park while Ms. Souster was there continually ganged up on a third shark. “One was basically being eaten by the other two,” she said. Of her six months as the head trainer at the Cayman Turtle Farm, she said, “It all kind of went downhill pretty quickly.” Some of the workers at the farm had good intentions and wanted to take good care of the animals, but, she said, there was a “lack of education on welfare” and some workers at the farm did not understand issues around animal welfare. “A lot of the staff did ex- press concern,” she added, “but nobody was willing to make a stand.” She said her concerns were met with a sentiment of, “This is what people come here to do, they come here to get their picture with a turtle. I walked away thinking I’d let myself down and let the animals down.” In this photograph supplied by former Cayman Turtle Farm trainer Amy Souster, green sea turtles are shown at the farm in 2012. SEC proposes $0 Caledonian settlement The SEC has been under fire by the U.S. judge in the case. District Judge William Pauley III called the freezing order against Caledonian, which led to a run on the bank and its subsequent demise, “a pre-emptive strike” and “incred- ible government overreach.” The SEC had to amend its initial claim against a co-de- fendant in the case, pulling back on its initial accusa- tions, but the securities reg- ulator said it could not con- firm whether Caledonian was involved in the scheme or had simply acted as a broker in the case, because the bank had not provided any cus- tomer information due to Cayman’s bank secrecy laws. Judge Pauley said in an order in November that the settlement with the SEC should identify who actually benefited from the alleged fraudulent sale of unregis- tered securities. The settlement “should address any discussions between Caledonian and the SEC about the benefi- cial ownership of the shares Caledonian sold,” he wrote. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 LOCAL NEWS Cayman Compass • Monday deceMber 21, 2015 NOTICE We are pleased to advise all life insurance and annuity policy owners of the distribution of policy statements by mail; if you have not received your statement, please contact our office at 345-814-2528 or email jebanks@mybafsolutions.com We kindly ask that you review your statement to ensure its accuracy with your records and then upon completion of your review take either of the following steps: 1) If the statement is in agreement with your records, please date and sign and return your acknowledgement directly to PricewaterhouseCoopers using the enclosed pre-paid envelope or alternatively fax to PricewaterhouseCoopers at 345-945-4237 or scan and email to: elizabeth.budzynski@ky.pwc.com 2) If the stated amount is not in agreement with your records and/or if you consider that discrepancies exist please contact PricewaterhouseCoopers by phone or email using the following contact information: PricewaterhouseCoopers Fax: 345-945-4237 Phone: 345-914-8686 Email: elizabeth.budzynski@ky.pwc.com We express our sincere thanks to you for your continued patronage and cooperation. NOTICE We are pleased to advise all life insurance and annuity policy owners of the distribution of policy statements by mail; if you have not received your statement, please contact our o ce at 345-814-2528 or email jebanks@mybafsolutions.com We kindly ask that you review your statement to ensure its accuracy with your records and then upon completion of your review take either of the following steps: 1) If the statement is in agreement with your records, please date and sign and return your acknowledgement directly to PricewaterhouseCoopers using the enclosed prepaid envelope or alternatively fax to PricewaterhouseCoopers at 345-945-4237 or scan and email to: elizabeth.budzynski@ky.pwc.com 2) If the stated amount is not in agreement with your records and/or if you consider that discrepancies exist please contact PricewaterhouseCoopers by phone or email using the following contact information: PricewaterhouseCoopers Fax: 345-945-4237 Phone: 345-914-8686 Email: elizabeth.budzynski@ky.pwc.com We express our sincere thanks to you for your continued patronage and cooperation. The National Gallery of the Cayman Islands hosted a Family Day on Saturday, where children of all ages participated in free art ac- tivities based on the ex- hibition “Now & Then – A Photographic Journey Through Time.” Kerwin G. Ebanks, edu- cation and community of- ficer, said the event gives children an opportunity to interact with art in a way not available in mainstream education. Activity sheets and art materials were available for children, and self-guided tour packs were collected in the gallery for families to use as they explored. “Now & Then” is an ex- hibition of photographs by Courtney Platt in associa- tion with curator Natalie Urquhart, the Steinmetz Archive and the Cayman Islands National Archive. “We had an overwhelming response from the commu- nity when the exhibition was initially held in 2012, and again in 2013,” Urquhart, NGCI director, said in a press release. “Despite record vis- itor attendance during the initial run, NGCI staff con- tinue to receive frequent calls requesting another chance to view the series. It really is a case of ‘back by popular demand.’” Photographer Platt rep- licated and digitally merged the past and present to provide a window into Cayman’s history. Past and current landmarks, build- ings, events and generations of people blend together in a surreal, and at times, haunting mixture of im- agery, the gallery said. “Now & Then” runs through Dec. 31. Admission is free. Family fun at National Gallery Chloe and her mom, Meerna Dzaghgouni JN now accepting Cayman dollars Charles DuNCaN cduncan@pinnaclemedialtd.com Jamaica National Money Services, along with MoneyGram and QuikCash, can once again accept Cayman Islands dollars for remittances, almost four months after the companies had to restrict cash transfers to only U.S. currency. The Cayman Islands remittance industry ap- pears to be getting back to normal after months of upheaval. Western Union reopened three weeks ago, and now, with Jamaica National’s new deal, all the major cash transfer companies on the is- land are back to accepting local currency. JN board member Robert Hamaty said Friday was “a busy day for all our agents.” JN has nine outlets open in the Cayman Islands and also operates the MoneyGram and QuikCash brands. Mr. Hamaty said, “We always stayed open for them,” through the crisis over the past four months that caused a shortage of U.S. cash in Cayman as people were forced to convert local currency before sending money to family overseas. Financial Services Minister Wayne Panton told the Cayman Compass that as of Sunday nothing had been finalized, but a deal was close between the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and JN’s parent company Jamaica National Building Society. “They’re obviously fairly bullish and optimistic” that the deal will go through, Mr. Panton said. “I suspect that there will be some resolution fairly quickly,” he said. The minister added, “This is good for con- sumers. There will be more choices open to the consumer.” In a press release, JN Managing Director Leesa Kow said, “This is very good news, given the demand for money transfer services, partic- ularly at this time of the year. “I am buoyed by the development; and, wel- come the convenience it will provide for resi- dents in the Cayman Islands who continue to face difficulties when sending money to family and friends overseas.” Last year workers in the Cayman Islands sent almost $180 million overseas through cash transfers. About $110 million of those remit- tances went to Jamaica. The cash transfer industry in Cayman has been in a state of flux since July, leading to a shortage of U.S. cash on the island and causing worry among the many expat workers who rely on sending remittances to support their families. JN lost its account with Cayman National Bank in August, with regulators citing higher risks for the cash transfers and increasing costs to comply with international rules. The company stayed open, but only accepted U.S. cash, which was then flown to Jamaica to be deposited in an account there. of independent review of the CarePay contract was due to negligence on the part of gov- ernment workers who were now seeking ways to blame Watson for their own failures. Former CINICO Chairman Scott A. Cummings testified Friday that he was informed by Watson during a Dec. 15, 2010 CINICO board meeting regarding the upcoming im- plementation of the CarePay system that the government insurer did not need to re- view the agreement. “Mr. Watson was asked whether CINICO legal counsel needed to review the contract,” Mr. Cummings said. “We were informed that CINICO’s legal counsel didn’t need to review it, that had al- ready been done.” Mr. Cummings further tes- tified that Watson had prom- ised to send him a copy of the US$13 million, five-year CarePay agreement that same day, Dec. 15, 2010. However, email re- cords reviewed during the trial showed that Mr. Cummings, CINICO Chief Executive Lonny Tibbetts and former Health Services Authority Medical Director Dr. Greg Hoeksema did not receive the contract until Dec. 20, the day before it was due to be signed. Watson’s attorney, Trevor Burke, QC, suggested during his cross examination of Mr. Cummings that Watson had not told the CINICO board anything about the contract being re- viewed by attorneys. Mr. Burke pointed out that minutes of the Dec. 15, 2010 board meeting do not make reference to any such statements by Watson. “As a lawyer [referring to Mr. Cummings, who is a li- censed litigator in the U.S.], wouldn’t you wish to have a reassurance that CINICO does not need legal advice here?” Mr. Burke asked. “At the time, it did not seem like a big deal,” Mr. Cummings answered. “We were assured we did not need to review it, that someone else would re- view it. If we could go back in time, I wish I could have a transcript [of Watson’s] whole presentation [to the CINICO board on Dec. 15, 2010].” Lawyering up The final contract for the CarePay patient swipe-card system between the HSA, CINICO, the Jamaica-St. Lucia company that owns the swipe card system and its local partner AIS Cayman Ltd. was never reviewed by government lawyers in the solicitor general’s office, ju- rors heard earlier in the case. Instead, the contract was perused by then-HSA board member and Maples law firm partner Wanda Ebanks, who testified that she was asked by Watson to look at the agreement “as a member of the board” to assist her fellow board members. Ms. Ebanks, under prompting by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Patrick Moran, testified that she was surprised to get the contract “at the last minute,” but de- nied suggestions by defense at- torney Mr. Burke that she re- ceived the contract because she was Watson’s “go-to lawyer.” Mr. Moran said the pro- posed contract between AIS Cayman Ltd. and the health services agencies appeared to “bind the hands” of the public hospital system, requiring it to spend more than US$13 million over five years and requiring another five-year renewal un- less either party issued a ter- mination notice a year prior to the contract’s end. Ms. Ebanks testified that she had written a note during her examination of the AIS contract that indicated “it’s even worse than Cerner” – the U.S.-based firm that pre- viously handled HSA’s patient information services. Mr. Burke objected, stating that Cerner’s previous contract could not be compared to AIS because the AIS deal provided a “get out” clause for both par- ties where Cerner’s did not. Trial breaks for holidays Friday was the last day of testimony in Watson and Rodriguez’s criminal trial for the remainder of calendar year 2015. The jury of six women and one man hearing the case is scheduled to return on Jan. 4, when the prosecution’s case will resume. The defense is then expected to begin its case. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations by the end of January. CarePay trial: Testimony reveals little scrutiny for US$13M contract CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1Next >