The original Peter Nygard

Dear Editor,

It is said that there is nothing new under the sun. After reading Alan Bock’s fascinating “Masters of Paradise”, I am now convinced that, in The Bahamas, the saying really is true.

The excellent book tells of the influence of organized crime in The Bahamas from the 1950s to the 1980s. Published in 1998, long before the full picture of the alleged activities of one Peter J. Nygard began to come to light, it contains a hauntingly familiar observation about an earlier political benefactor:

“Robert Lee Vesco was probably the most audacious crook to ever land in The Bahamas, and his effect was extraordinary. He intended the country to provide him a sanctuary, if need be, from American justice.

“To make sure of his welcome, he spent millions buying influence and loyalty from the very top of Bahamian life on down the ranks. He transformed as much of the government and population as he could into criminal accomplices. Corruption was nothing new to Bahamian life, but with Vesco, the scale dramatically changed. He and Progressive Liberal Party members were in so many conspiracies, they appeared permanent criminal partners — a new Bahamian cartel.”

Vesco’s crimes were financial in nature; nothing like those which Peter Nygard is now alleged to have committed. He came to The Bahamas already pursued by American justice, whereas Nygard faces the long arm of Yankee law at the end of his stay with us.

But consider the reaction when each man found himself in trouble. The book tells of how, back in the 70s, William Curtis and Samuel Miller, “both close friends of Pindling”, argued that “the only humanitarian and civilised thing to do is to grant Mr. Vesco some status in this Commonwealth.”

The reason being enormous contributions “made to the Bahamian people both individually, severally, and jointly and…to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas as a whole.”

They argued that Vesco must be allowed to stay because he is a man who “loves” The Bahamas.

Some 40 years later, when Nygard found himself up against the ropes, the PLP came running to his defense. V. Alfred Gray insisted that Nygard was “a Bahamian” and a philanthropist that has “given more to this country than many other Bahamians”.

There you have it. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Thank you,

L. Lewis

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