Above: TCI

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Special Investigation Prosecution Team and the Turks and Caicos Islands government have reached an agreement with Sandals Resorts International totaling $12 million.

The agreement is due “in part to the cooperation of the company with the United States authorities to a degree that has been acknowledged to be both extraordinary and unique and included the early and voluntary release of valuable evidence that has been shared with the SIPT,” the SIPT said in a statement.

The agreement involves a payment of $12 million to the government.

The SIPT is investigating corruption in the Turks and Caicos; it was formed after a Commission of Inquiry led by Sir Robin Auld in 2009 found evidence of widespread corruption in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

That led to the suspension of democratic government in the British Overseas Territory. The TCI returned to democratic government with elections in November.

The company has been voluntarily cooperating with the investigation, including an internal investigation.

“This agreement is without any admission of liability by the company, its directors and/or officers,” the SIPT said. “It does not however prevent the prosecution of any other persons in respect of any facts and matters.

Sandals operates the Beaches resort in Turks and Caicos. The company recently purchased the former Veranda resort property as part of an expansion in TCI.

Last year, the SIPT issued a warrant for the arrest of former Premier Michael Misick, who was eventually arrested in Rio de Janeiro last month.