The Troubled Relationship Between Prince Jefri Bolkiah and Lawyer Micha Raines

A Web of Conflicts and Allegations

Prince Jefri Bolkiah, a member of the Brunei royal family, found himself at the center of a financial scandal in 2005. The allegations surrounding his dealings with lawyer Micha Raines and her husband, who worked as consultants for the prince, are complex and multifaceted.

The Background of the Scandal

• Mismanaged Funds: Prince Jefri was accused by his brother, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, of mismanaging funds and hiding assets.
• Hired Consultants: Micha Raines and her husband were hired to help the prince manage his finances and avoid freezing orders from creditors.

The Conflict of Interest

• Advisors vs. Interests: The couple claimed that they worked with a group of advisors to carry out Prince Jefri’s instructions, but the prince’s lawyer argued that they had a conflict of interest and were not acting in the best interests of the prince.
• Disputed Claims: The couple claimed that Prince Jefri gave them a 17-year lease on an apartment at the New York Palace hotel, which rented for $20,000 per night, as well as a second lease for the hotel’s steakhouse. However, Prince Jefri denied giving them these leases.

The Role of Micha Raines

• Gratitude and Appreciation: In 2005, Micha Raines sent a fax to her husband expressing gratitude for their work with Prince Jefri, stating that they were “saving his life.”
• Appointed Managing Director: Despite having no experience in hotel management, Micha Raines was appointed as the managing director of the Palace Hotel in 2006.

Disputed Claims and Allegations

• Consulting Fees: The couple claimed that they paid consulting fees to Princes Hakeem and Bahar of between $500,000 and $1.5 million per month, but Prince Jefri’s lawyer disputed this claim.
• Potential Wrongdoing: The text suggests that there were significant conflicts of interest and potential wrongdoing involved in the dealings between Prince Jefri and Micha Raines and her husband.