DeSilva On Savvy, Leaked Documents & More
“It is very worrying for the integrity of Police enquiries that emails and other documents obtained during a legitimate investigation are now in the public domain,” MP Zane DeSilva said, adding that “when legal matters are tried in the press, instead of the courts, it compromises the integrity of the police investigation.”
This follows after the newspaper published articles and emails on aspects related to the Savvy matter, citing police documents.
Mr DeSilva said the recent articles “referenced a case involving alleged fraud related to Mr. Blakey and Savvy Entertainment. It is a matter of public record that I was charged with a money laundering offence.”
He said that he loaned another person $200,000 to invest with Mr. Blakey, and “Mr. Blakey reneged on that loan” and the other person was unable to pay him back.
“We pursued Blakey and he sent me $100,000. However, once the police investigation demonstrated that the $100,000 paid to me came from the $800,000 he swindled from the Bermuda Government, I returned it as anyone would,” the MP added.
He further explained that he and the other individual “continued to pursue Blakey for the remainder of the debt. Happily, we managed to secure a further $60,000 in repayments before he disappeared, a matter I brought to the attention of the police officers investigating the matter. ”
Noting that he still owes the person money, the MP added, “I will continue to do all I can to assist him to get that money back.”
“This case, including all relevant evidence, was fully reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions [DPP], who made the decision not to proceed with the case. ”
Mr Desilva added, “It is very worrying for the integrity of Police enquiries that emails and other documents obtained during a legitimate investigation are now in the public domain. This is a continuing enquiry. There is an extradition warrant out for Mr. Blakey to be brought back to Bermuda so that he can be prosecuted for Fraud.
“There is a presumption of innocence that I am entitled to and, in fairness even he is entitled to. The presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of our justice system, and when legal matters are tried in the press, instead of the courts, it compromises the integrity of the police investigation, undermines public trust and strikes at the administration of justice.”
“I call upon His Excellency the Governor and the Commissioner of Police to launch an immediate investigation into how this confidential information has been leaked. We all want Mr. Blakey brought back to Bermuda so that he may face trial and the police should be concentrating their efforts at ensuring that happens – rather than allowing rogue officer/s to disclose confidential information.”
The MP added that given he is a candidate for the role of Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party, the “actions appear to be a deliberate effort to undermine my candidacy and my role as a Minister within the Bermuda Government” and said the “coordinated attack is an affront to the democratic process.”
The police have noted that “the release of confidential information from any investigation constitutes a breach and is of grave concern,” with the Commissioner of Police Darrin Simons saying “after this matter was first reported in the media, I initiated an investigation.”
The OBA has stated that, “Bermudians deserve to know why public funds were handed over with little oversight and why the Premier continued to support an individual now at the centre of serious allegations. This is not just one bad deal—it reflects a pattern of reckless decision-making at the highest levels of government. The time has come to expose just how deep this problem runs.
“When Parliament reconvenes, the Opposition will ensure the Public Accounts Committee [PAC] launches a full investigation. We will push for public hearings and demand transparency—any Government member opposing this will be named and held accountable.”
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