Bermuda’s Top Politician Charged with Money Laundering in Savvy Recording Studio Scandal
- Zane DeSilva, a prominent Bermudian politician and business owner, was charged with money laundering on October 27, 2022.
- DeSilva, a Progressive Labour Party MP since 2007, appeared in court with his lawyer, Jerome Lynch.
Allegations and Charges
- Prosecutors allege that DeSilva facilitated the use or control of criminal property on behalf of William Anthony Blakey.
- The alleged offense breached Section 44 of the Proceeds of Crime Act and took place between April and August 2018.
Savvy Recording Studio Scandal
- Blakey, a music promoter from Atlanta, was granted an $800,000 loan from the Bermudian government to set up the Savvy recording studio in Dockyard in 2018.
- The project never came to fruition, and Blakey disappeared with the funds, never repaying the loan.
Defaulting on the Loan
- A demand-for-payment notice was issued in June 2019, revealing that Blakey had defaulted on $778,204 of the loan.
- In December 2020, law enforcement were called in to locate Blakey when government lawyers were unable to serve him with legal papers to return the taxpayer funds, plus interest.
DeSilva’s Past Ministerial Portfolios
- DeSilva held numerous ministerial portfolios throughout the years, including minister without portfolio, minister of health, minister of social development and sport, and minister of tourism and transport.
Impact on DeSilva’s Political Career
- In light of these allegations, DeSilva relinquished his ministerial responsibilities but maintains his parliamentary position.
- The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cindy Clarke, stated in court that no comments would be allowed on this case due to the ongoing criminal nature, adhering to The Royal Gazette’s policy.