Jeffrey Epstein Expressed Interest in Long Island Science Centre, The Bahamas

Epstein Expressed Interest in Long Island Science Centre, Emails Reveal

By The Long Island Runner News

Newly released U.S. Justice Department documents show that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein once expressed interest in funding a proposed physics research centre on Long Island, The Bahamas, near the Stella Maris Resort.

The emails, part of millions of Epstein-related documents released last week, reveal that in 2015, approximately seven years after serving jail time for crimes involving underage girls, Epstein was approached about helping finance The Bahamas Centre for High Energy Physics, Astrophysics, Gravitation and Cosmology.  The centre was intended to bring advanced scientific research and graduate-level physics education to The Bahamas for the first time.

The initiative came from Professor Eduardo Guendelman of Israel’s Ben-Gurion University, in collaboration with Professor Thomas Curtright of the University of Miami.  Both scientists have maintained strong ties to Long Island, where they allegedly continue to host annual academic events at the Stella Maris Resort under The Bahamas Advanced Study Institute and Conferences (BASIC) banner.

In one February 2015 email, Professor Guendelman described the vision for the Long Island centre: a permanent staff of five senior researchers, ten post-graduate students, and ten doctoral students, offering high-level research opportunities and drawing international attention to the island. 

Guendelman also suggested that the centre could boost tourism and local economic activity by hosting scientific conferences.

Epstein responded positively within days, writing simply: “Yes, I would be interested.”  Guendelman quickly suggested the centre could be officially linked to the University of Miami, thanks to Professor Curtright’s involvement.

The emails detail ongoing discussions, including possible video calls with Epstein, interest from physicists worldwide, and potential funding from organizations such as the Lyford Cay Foundation.  A local developer, Richard Keyworth, reportedly offered discounted land near Stella Maris and assistance in securing government support.

The project faced setbacks, including Hurricane Joaquin, which damaged parts of northern Long Island in late 2015.  Guendelman argued that the hurricane could strengthen the case for government support, presenting the centre as both a scientific initiative and a way to boost the island’s economy.

Despite Epstein’s initial interest, the Long Island physics centre was never built.  The Stella Maris Resort, which was mentioned in alleged discussions as a potential site, remains for sale today.  However, Professors Guendelman and Curtright allegedly continue to bring international attention to Long Island through their annual BASIC conferences, which attract academics and researchers to the island.

The documents highlight Epstein’s attempts to engage with high-profile scientific projects even after his criminal convictions, and shine a light on Long Island’s potential as a hub for education, research, and international collaboration.

Long Island is not just a tourist destination, but also has the allure to attract and host world-class academic initiatives.

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Corruption in Bahamas Immigration?

Immigration Corruption in The Bahamas?

By James Julmis

Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas

It has been brought to public attention, including via a circulated voice note, that an Immigration Officer allegedly attempted to extort the sum of $500 from a Haitian national.  According to the allegations, the individual was only able to provide $150, after which the officer allegedly issued threats to conduct raids on the homes of other Haitian nationals in the area should the remaining amount not be paid.  Even more concerning, the voice note allegedly contains statements in which the officer boasts about “protecting” Haitian nationals in exchange for monetary payment.

If substantiated, these actions would amount to gross misconduct, corruption, abuse of public office, intimidation, and possible criminal extortion, all of which severely undermine public trust in law enforcement and immigration institutions.

Given the gravity of these allegations, I respectfully but firmly request the following:

1. An immediate and impartial investigation by the relevant authorities, including the Immigration Department and THE RBPF. 

2. Identification and suspension (pending investigation) of the individual heard on the voice note, should the authenticity be confirmed.

3. Protection for the alleged victim(s) and witnesses, particularly members of the Haitian community who may fear retaliation.

4. A formal update to the public or relevant stakeholders on the status and outcome of the investigation, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

5. That, if the allegations are proven, the individual responsible be held fully accountable under the law, including disciplinary and criminal proceedings where appropriate.

No public officer should be permitted to exploit vulnerable individuals or use the authority of the State as a tool for personal enrichment or intimidation. Failure to address such conduct decisively risks normalizing corruption and eroding confidence in national security and immigration enforcement.

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Police Corruption Live and in Color in The Bahamas

Corruption in The Bahamas

By Franklyn Robinson

What makes that video so damaging is not only what was said, but what it signaled: the ease, the confidence, and the procedural choreography of a roadside stop being turned into a private “arrangement” — “can’t be too obvious,” “too much people around,” “go out of the view.”  That is not the language of lawful enforcement; it is the language of a shakedown.  And the public outrage is justified because the scene described in the reports was not a lone officer acting in isolation — it was a staffed roadblock with multiple officers stopping multiple vehicles near St Matthew’s Anglican Church off Shirley Street.

If the Royal Bahamas Police Force wants the public to believe this is “not reflective of standards,” then the response cannot be generic.  The Force has already confirmed it is investigating the matter after reviewing the circulating video.

Now the burden is transparency, not slogans.  The public should be shown the written operational order that authorised that specific roadblock: who ordered it, what lawful purpose it served, the time window, the command structure on scene, and the enforcement output (warnings/tickets issued, vehicles seized, arrests made).  Because without that, the reasonable conclusion in the public mind is exactly what the video communicates: an organised environment where leverage is created in public and monetised in private.

And it gets worse when you widen the lens.  The tourist in the footage said he rented a scooter near the cruise port and produced a contract, while the officer raised concerns about the scooter being damaged.

That is not a minor side issue — it is a second corruption channel sitting beside the first: unsafe or improperly regulated rentals being put onto Bahamian roads, and then tourists (and Bahamians) being trapped between defective equipment and discretionary enforcement.  If a vehicle is unroadworthy, then the system’s priority should be safety and compliance — not extracting money to “make it go away.”

If a rental operation is legitimate, it should be licensed, traceable, insured, and operating vehicles that are demonstrably fit for the road.  The Road Traffic (Vehicle Inspection) Regulations are explicit that vehicles must have a valid certificate of inspection, owners must present the vehicle for further inspection before expiry, and inspection certificates are not to be transferred between vehicles.

In addition, the Road Traffic Department’s own published guidance for public service vehicles states inspections are conducted twice per year (May and October).  A tourist rental scooter being on the street in questionable condition, tied to an informal rental source near the cruise port, is a flashing sign that regulation and enforcement are not being applied consistently.

This is why the “bad apple” framing fails.  A roadblock is not a private one-on-one interaction; it is an operation.

The moment an officer can tell someone to step out of view and “work something out,” the question becomes systemic: what supervision was present, what culture is tolerated, what discipline is actually enforced, and why so many Bahamians recognise the script immediately.  The Tribune report itself notes the clip triggered widespread condemnation, precisely because the public read it as brazen, familiar misconduct — not as an unimaginable anomaly.

The political dimension cannot be ducked either.  When this kind of conduct becomes normalised, it is not only a policing problem; it is governance decay.

It seeps into licensing, inspection, enforcement discretion, and the quiet tolerance of “small corruption” as if it is harmless.  It is not harmless.  It is reputationally catastrophic for a tourism economy, corrosive to public trust, and financially predatory to ordinary Bahamians who cannot afford to buy their way out of inconvenience.  And every time leadership responds with vague statements rather than hard disclosures, it reads like protection of the institution over protection of the country.

So, yes: the encounter is shameful — not merely because it embarrasses The Bahamas internationally, but because it reflects an out-of-control culture where too many people believe government-facing systems can be navigated by side-payments, favours, and quiet arrangements.  If the country is serious about cleaning it up, the standard must be simple and public: publish the roadblock authorisation trail, disclose the command accountability, identify the rental operator pathway that put that scooter on the road, and show enforcement outcomes that match the gravity of what the public saw and heard — not “investigation” as a holding pattern, but consequences that make the next officer think twice before trying to turn a public duty into a private hustle.

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Brittany Harris writes the Canadian Prime Minister on the Appointment of Mr. Clayton Fernander; The Bahamas Consul General to Canada

I wrote the Mark Carney Prime Minister of Canada 🇨🇦and the Minister of Foreign Affairs

 

Dear Prime Minister,

I am writing as a concerned member of the public to respectfully request that the Government of Canada undertake an appropriate review and investigation into the appointment and presence in Canada of Mr. Clayton Fernander, former Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who is currently serving as Consul General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in Canada.

This request is made in the interest of transparency, public confidence, and the integrity of Canada’s diplomatic and national security standards.

Mr. Fernander resigned from his position as Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in December 2024.  His resignation followed significant public controversy surrounding serious criminal matters that arose under his leadership and are now before the courts.

During Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner, the following documented and factual events occurred:

- United States federal indictments were issued against senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for drug and firearms trafficking, with those officers arrested and prosecuted in New York.  These matters are before the United States courts and occurred while Mr. Fernander was Commissioner.

- Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, then head of the Criminal Investigations Unit, was removed from his position following the public release of voice recordings involving the bribery of a known criminal figure connected to a million-dollar armoured truck robbery.  This matter is also before the courts.

- The killing of Mr. Azario Major, an unarmed Bahamian man who was shot and killed by police officers.  This incident has been the subject of public inquiry, judicial proceedings, and documentary examination, and has significantly impacted public trust in law enforcement leadership during that period.

In addition to the above, I wish to clearly distinguish the following as allegations, which I respectfully ask Canadian authorities to independently assess:

- There have long been allegations within Bahamian and Canadian law-enforcement and community circles regarding a close relationship between Mr. Fernander and Daran Neely, also known as “Monster,” an alleged gang leader associated with the so-called “Dirty South Gang.”

- This gang has been linked to violent criminal activity, including a serious robbery-murder in Windsor, Ontario, involving Bahamian nationals.

- It has been alleged that Mr. Neely benefited from protection during Mr. Fernander’s tenure as Commissioner.  Following Mr. Fernander’s resignation, that protection allegedly ceased, and Mr. Neely was later killed.  These points are presented strictly as allegations for the purpose of requesting independent review.

It is also a matter of public record that Mr. Fernander maintains a close personal relationship with the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Right Honourable Philip Edward Davis.  Despite Mr. Fernander’s resignation amid public outcry and ongoing court matters involving senior officers under his leadership, he was subsequently appointed to a senior diplomatic post in Canada.

In light of the seriousness of these facts and concerns, I respectfully request:

1. A review of the vetting and acceptance process that led to Mr. Fernander’s appointment as Consul General in Canada.

2. An assessment by appropriate Canadian authorities of whether his presence and role are consistent with Canada’s standards for diplomatic engagement, public safety, and the rule of law.

3. That relevant national security, law-enforcement, and foreign-affairs agencies be permitted to independently examine the court records, indictments, and public materials related to the above matters.

This letter does not seek to assert guilt, but rather to request due diligence, accountability, and transparency.  Canada’s reputation for upholding democratic values and the rule of law makes such a review both reasonable and necessary.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I trust this matter will receive the seriousness it warrants.

Respectfully,

Brittany Harris  

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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It's Every Bahamian Duty to Keep The Bahamas Safe

Bahamians Demand and Deserve a Safer Bahamas

Dr. Duane Sands, Chairman of The Free National Movement: The Duty to Keep Bahamians Safe Endures

Last year’s reduction in murders is welcome news in a country that has felt the heavy toll of violent crime.  Any reduction in murder matters, and every life saved matters.  But no Bahamian believes that a single statistic means the work is done.

We can acknowledge progress and still be clear-eyed about reality.  Bahamians want to feel safe walking home, sending their children to school, and going about their daily lives without fear.  That remains the standard by which success must be measured.

A decline in murders, while important, does not on its own mean we have a safer society.  Crime trends can shift quickly if the underlying system remains weak.

Even the Minister of National Security has acknowledged the need to study where crimes occur, when they occur, and who is affected.  That analysis must lead to action because public safety is built on execution, not explanations.

What Bahamians are asking for now is clarity and follow-through: clear priorities, clear timelines, and clear results.  Too often, crime plans are announced but not fully delivered, leaving communities frustrated and victims underserved.

That is why the Free National Movement has put forward a comprehensive 10-point plan to address crime.  Our plan is not a slogan and not a copy.

It is a correction, and focuses on tougher, smarter policing, faster justice, and a public health approach that works to prevent violence before it spreads.  It calls for stronger enforcement against gangs and illegal firearms, improved intelligence-led policing, modern forensic capacity, and real accountability across the justice system.

Any serious crime strategy must also confront sexual violence head-on.  Reported sexual offences continue to rise, disproportionately affecting women and children.  Protecting them must be central to national security.

Laws alone are not enough.  Survivors must be supported, believed, and protected, and cases must move quickly through the system.  The continued absence of a national forensic lab, leaving victims waiting months for DNA testing, is unacceptable.

Public confidence also depends on capacity.  Visible policing, adequate manpower, modern tools, and an efficient court system are essential if gains are to be sustained.  Without them, progress risks being temporary.

Bahamians do not want a victory lap.  They want solutions.  If murders are trending down, that is a positive step.  But safety cannot be seasonal, and it cannot depend on short-term measures.  The duty to keep Bahamians safe endures, and it demands serious leadership, real investment, and decisive action.

A National Agenda for The Bahamas

Deo Adjuvante, Non Timendum

“With God as My Helper, I Have Nothing to Fear”

By Dr. Kevin Turnquest-Alcena

Nassau, The Bahamas

“The price of greatness is responsibility.” — Winston Churchill

The Bahamian drums are beating, the cowbells are ringing into 2026.  The year 2026 represents more than another election cycle; it is a national crossroads.

As Bahamians often say, when “the fat lady sings and gives you the price of the fish,” the debate ends, and reality begins—someone must govern.  The true challenge is not only who wins, but what agenda will guide the nation forward.  While elections bring speeches and promises, words alone do not deliver progress.  The country now requires a people-centered agenda rooted in discipline, accountability, and long-term development.

Reducing the national debt must be a top priority.  High debt limits investment in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services.

As Warren Buffett once said, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”  The government must commit to transparent budgeting, responsible borrowing, and improved tax collection.

Auditing government programs, prioritizing high-impact projects, and leveraging public-private partnerships are essential steps toward fiscal sustainability and ensuring every dollar borrowed produces measurable value for the nation.

Crime remains one of the most urgent challenges facing The Bahamas.  It threatens public safety, tourism, investment, and social confidence.

Addressing it requires a comprehensive approach including intelligence-led policing, strengthened border security, judicial reform to reduce court backlogs, community policing, youth intervention programs, and rehabilitation services.  As Marcus Tullius Cicero said, “The safety of the people shall be the highest law.”  Treating crime as both a social and security issue ensures safer communities and stronger national cohesion.

A National Service Programme could further strengthen the nation by promoting discipline, civic responsibility, and workforce readiness among young Bahamians.  Participants could serve in disaster response, healthcare, environmental protection, agriculture, technical trades, and community safety.  Mahatma Gandhi wisely noted, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”  Beyond providing skills, the program would reduce youth unemployment, foster civic pride, and build social unity.

Education reform is central to national development.  Priorities include early childhood education, teacher training, curriculum updates, and accountability measures.  Nelson Mandela emphasized, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  A literate, skilled population drives productivity, innovation, and economic competitiveness, laying the foundation for sustained national growth.

Preparing Bahamians for the digital economy is equally vital.  Integrating coding, robotics, AI, and digital entrepreneurship into schools equips students for modern careers and entrepreneurship.  Bill Gates observed, “The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it.”  Partnering with tech firms, universities, and online platforms can provide mentorship and access to advanced resources, ensuring long-term competitiveness.

Public health and wellness must also be prioritized.  The Bahamas faces challenges such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Preventive healthcare, nutrition education, community fitness initiatives, and mental health services are critical.  Gandhi reminded us, “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”  A healthier population reduces healthcare costs, improves productivity, and enhances quality of life.

Economic empowerment requires land reform and effective land management.  Clear land titles, efficient approvals, and transparent administration encourage investment, reduce disputes, and support sustainable development, particularly in the Family Islands.  Aristotle once said, “Land is the basis of all wealth.”

An efficient and accountable public sector is essential.  Digitization, performance-based management, retraining programs, and rationalizing structures improve service delivery.  As Peter Drucker stated, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things.”  These reforms ensure taxpayers receive value while government operations remain sustainable.

Raising the minimum wage addresses rising living costs and improves social equity.  Franklin D. Roosevelt’s principle, “A fair wage for a fair day’s work,” reflects the importance of fair pay in improving living standards, stimulating domestic consumption, and reducing inequality.

Supporting Bahamian investors and entrepreneurs strengthens local ownership and economic resilience.  Simplifying investor registration, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, offering tax incentives, and providing mentorship foster innovation and job creation.  As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”  A thriving business sector reduces dependence on foreign investment and drives national prosperity.

Economic diversification is critical to reduce vulnerability.  While tourism remains important, expansion into financial services, captive insurance, renewable energy, agriculture, digital services, and the creative economy is necessary.  Miguel de Cervantes’ wisdom, “Do not put all your eggs in one basket,” highlights the need for multiple growth sectors to ensure stability and opportunity.

Affordable housing and cost-of-living relief remain urgent.  Government-subsidized programs, construction incentives, and policy reforms ensure working families can afford safe homes.  As an unknown author noted, “A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Modern infrastructure drives national development.  Roads, bridges, ports, airports, inter-island transportation, and broadband connectivity enhance trade, mobility, and quality of life.  Lily Tomlin’s observation, “The road to success is always under construction,” underscores the ongoing need for investment in infrastructure.

Climate resilience and disaster preparedness are essential.  As a small island nation, The Bahamas is highly vulnerable to climate change.  Coastal protection, flood mitigation, resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and community awareness safeguard lives and property.  The Native American proverb reminds us, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

Finally, good governance and anti-corruption measures underpin national success.  Transparency, accountability, and strong institutions ensure public trust.  Kofi Annan stated, “Good governance is less about structure and more about behavior.”  Ethical leadership and citizen oversight are critical for maintaining confidence and ensuring fair use of national resources.

Countries such as Singapore demonstrate that discipline, efficiency, education, and long-term planning can transform a nation.  While The Bahamas cannot replicate another nation entirely, adopting these principles can guide national development and sustainable growth.

As 2026 approaches, the national agenda must move beyond promises and focus on execution, accountability, and measurable results.  Addressing crime, debt, education, health, wages, investment, and national service is essential to securing the future of The Bahamas.

A Christmas Message to the Bahamian People: As the year ends, warm wishes go out to the people of The Bahamas.  May this season bring peace, reflection, and renewed hope. Merry Christmas, and may the coming year bring unity, progress, and national renewal.

December 20, 2025

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Rick Fox is not hiding in The Bahamas

The Future of The Bahamas

Bahamians Deserve More Than Silence

Many have asked: Which party are you joining  None.  Not yet.

Not because I'm undecided but because silence is still masquerading as governance.

People Are Worried

An estimated 350,000 Haitian nationals face the termination of Temporary Protected Status in the United States in the coming months.

People are already worried. They're just afraid to ask.

When decisions of that scale are announced, nations in the region have a right to ask what preparedness looks like.  Not because panic is inevitable, but because planning is responsible.

What does the US Government know that they aren't telling us?

What does The Bahamas Government know that they haven't shared?

Why the rush?  Why the silence?  What's coming?

These questions don't undermine national security.  They strengthen public trust.

Urgency Without Explanation Breeds Distrust.

Last week, Parliament passed a Smuggling of Migrants Act at lightning speed.

Urgency?  Absolutely. Sovereignty matters. Preparedness matters.  But transparency matters too.

We are a nation of 400,000 citizens.  What happens when 350,000 asylum seekers need a place to go?  When does enforcement begin?  What are the routes?  What guarantees that The Bahamas won't become a spillover zone?

What troubled many Bahamians - was not that action was taken, but that it was taken with minimal public briefing, no visible capacity assessment, and little dialogue about downstream impact.

When governments move quickly but refuse to explain their thinking, citizens have every right to ask why.  That silence doesn't calm people.  It unsettles them.

The Pattern Is Repeated With Our Elections.

This same silence appears again most troublingly in how we approach our elections.

Since the by-election, I have asked every party the same questions.  We are still waiting.

Will you commit to a National Day of Voting so no Bahamian has to choose between democracy and survival?

Will you increase transparency in ballot handling and counting so trust is earned, not demanded?

Will you guarantee secret, secure, verified votes?  One person, one vote, one time.

Will you commit to addressing these issues before calling the next general election?

These aren't partisan requests.

They are baseline requirements for trust.

What is concerning is not disagreement on their part, it is refusal to even engage -  on borders and on ballots.   On what matters most their silence can no longer be the answer.

Why I Haven't Chosen a Party?

I won't offer loyalty to a system that treats transparency as a threat.  I won't choose sides when neither side is willing to state its position.

This is not avoidance - it is accountability.

I have been open about my interest in serving.  I have been honest about my questions, my values, and the seriousness with which I am approaching this moment.

I am not hiding.  I am listening.  I am learning.

And I am doing this the way I have approached every arena I've competed in sports, business, entertainment:

Be open. Be honest.  Be inquisitive.  Be willing to learn how to win without losing your principles.

A New Path Forward

Today, I am launching The Bahamas Future Movement.  Not a political party.  A civic platform - nonpartisan and uncompromising.

One mission: forcing transparency where silence has taken hold.

We will:

1. Give Bahamians a voice loud enough to be heard

2. Hold every party accountable before votes are cast

3. Make transparency the price of seeking power

I am investing one million dollars of my own money to build this movement.

No donors and no strings; accountable only to the Bahamian people.

The Challenge

To every political party and leader:

Tell us where you stand on election integrity.

Tell us your plan for border preparedness.

Tell us what you know and what you don't.

Publicly - clearly and now.

The moment any party answers these questions in good faith, I will listen and I will engage.  I will work together for the future of our country.

When I do choose, it will be where transparency has the best chance to lead.

Until then, I stand with the people demanding answers not with a system that hides behind silence.

Join Us

If you are ready to serve, to ask hard questions, and to help build a future rooted in trust join us.

Our leaders can break their silence, or citizens will build something strong enough that silence no longer works.

The Bahamas Future Movement Starts Now

https://www.bahamasfuturemovement.com

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