Prime Minister Philip Davis addressed questions regarding whether the government has any financial involvement in the legal defense of convicted drug dealer Jonathan Eric Gardiner, insisting that government funds are allocated for legal services benefiting the government of The Bahamas, rather than individuals.
Speaking in the House of Assembly this morning, Long Island MP Dr. Andre Rollins asked: “Are you able to say, Mr. Prime Minister, whether the government or any of its emissaries is paying for the legal services now being provided to Mr. Jonathan Eric Gardner in the United States of America?”
The issue came up after Davis confirmed that the government generally allocates a budget for the payment of attorneys abroad.
In response to Rollins’ question, the prime minister said: “I’m not going to go down the rabbit hole that this young man wants us to go.
“I indicated that that line item is set up for the payment of legal services provided to the government of The Bahamas, not any individuals.”
When Rollins pressed Davis to confirm or deny whether the government was paying for legal fees, the prime minister indicated that the question had already been answered and refused to respond again.
Gardiner was onboard a plane that departed Marsh Harbour, Abaco, for Freeport, Grand Bahama on election day, May 12.
The plane later crashed into waters off Florida. The 11 survivors were rescued by the US Coast Guard.
Two days later, the US government filed a criminal complaint against Gardiner, alleging that he had been moving tons of cocaine through The Bahamas with the protection of Bahamian government officials and high-ranking politicians.
Yesterday, Gardiner pleaded not guilty to charges of cocaine importation conspiracy; firearms use, carrying and possession; and firearms conspiracy.
Gardiner was indicted in the Southern District of New York.
In the indictment, it is alleged that Gardiner was involved in a drug trafficking conspiracy starting on or about May 2021 and up to May 2026, among other things.
