PLP chairman defends tax dodger

The Nassau Guardian

PLP chairman defends tax dodger

A day after the Free National Movement (FNM) called for the resignation of Ishmael Lightbourne as coordinator of the Value-Added Tax Unit, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday defended him as an upstanding Christian man.

The Nassau Guardian revealed that Lightbourne failed to pay real property taxes over the past 10 years.

“I happen to know of Mr. Lightbourne's personal dilemma in the past,” Roberts said.

“I know him to be an outstanding and upright Bahamian, a strong Christian gentleman.”

Roberts suggested the FNM ought to be careful in how it criticizes the government on this matter.

“I think that a full disclosure of who owes real property tax may be a surprise experience for them,” he said.

“It’s not only brother Lightbourne, but there are many others, and many others who are sitting in influential positions.”

The Nassau Guardian revealed that Lightbourne has not been paying real property taxes even though his beachfront residence on West Bay Street is only assessed at $321,000 and as such his real property tax bill has only been $534 per year.

Lightbourne, who is one of the chief advocates for VAT, told The Nassau Guardian that he is experiencing some financial hardships and could not pay.

However, he admitted that he "recognized the hypocrisy and contradiction of this”.

FNM Chairman Darron Cash described Lightbourne as a “flawed messenger” who is unfit to carry the government’s torch on the VAT campaign.

"Mr. Lightbourne's decision to not pay property taxes for 10 years suggests a willful refusal to pay," said Cash in a statement.

"Consequently, he has lost all legitimacy as the principal spokesman and advocate of VAT."

Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday declined to comment on Lightbourne’s situation.

 

 

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