Michael Misick

Michael Misick
Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands
In office August 9, 2006 – 23 March 2009
Preceded by	Derek Hugh Taylor
Succeeded by	Galmo Williams[1]
Personal details
Born	February 2, 1966 (1966-02-02) (age 45) Bottle Creek, North Caicos
Political party	Progressive National Party
Spouse(s)	LisaRaye McCoy (Divorced)
Religion	Christianity

Michael Eugene Misick ( /ˈmɪzɪk/; born February 2, 1966) was the chief minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 15 August 2003 to 9 August 2006 and was the first Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 9 August 2006 to 23 March 2009.

Misick is a member of the liberal Progressive National Party (PNP), and became chief minister when his party, after eight years as the opposition party, gained two parliamentary seats in by-elections. In addition to being premier, he was also the minister for Civil Aviation, Commerce and Development, Planning, District Administration, Broadcasting Commission, Tourist Board, Turks and Caicos Investment Agency, and Tourism.

Several other members of Misick's family have been politicians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and important leaders in the PNP. Washington Misick, his brother, is a former chief minister and leader of the PNP.

Biography

Born in Bottle Creek, North Caicos, Misick is the last child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Misick. He received his foundation education in North Caicos, and then furthered it at the Turks and Caicos High School (Helena Jones Robinson High School), the Miami Lakes Technical Institute (where he graduated with a certificate in Business Studies), and the University of Buckingham (LLB, Hons. Bachelor of Law). Misick is a Barrister at Law of England and Wales and an Attorney at Law of Turks and Caicos Islands. He is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

Misick spent several years in the private sector where he was sales manager for Prestigious Properties Ltd. from 1984 to 1986 and managing director from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1991 he was chairman and CEO of Paramount Group of Companies, a property and financial services company.

It is reported that the Misicks are to be divorced. A statement released to the press by Premier Misick on August 12, 2008 stated: "I am announcing that I am separated from LisaRaye McCoy-Misick, I am committed to dissolving the marriage amicably. I believe that this is a private matter and will have no further comments. I hope that our privacy will be respected.”^[2]

December 15, 2008 Misick was asked to step down by nine members of his party. On the 23rd March 2009 he resigned, a week earlier than expected. The UK Foreign Office said it would suspend the constitution and give control to Governor Gordon Wetherell.^[3]

Political career

Turks and Caicos Islands

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Governor Ric Todd Premier Office suspended, powers delegated to Governor.[4][5] House of Assembly Political parties Elections: 2007

Other countries · Atlas Politics portal view · talk · edit

Misick was first elected to the Legislative Council in 1991, when he became Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Communications. He was re-elected in 1995. In March 2002 he was elected leader of the then opposition PNP thus succeeding Washington Misick. In the April 2003 general elections, Misick's party won 6 out of the possible 13 seats in the legislature. The successful petitioning and winning of by-elections held in two constituencies resulted in Misick being sworn in as Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands on 16 August 2003. On 7 January 2007, Misick called for general elections on 9 February. The PNP won 13 of the 15 seats, making it one of the most lopsided election results in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Controversies

Assault accusation

In April 2008, Misick became the focus of a criminal investigation after a woman identified by news outlets as an American citizen residing in Puerto Rico accused him of assaulting her sexually on 27 March.^[6] On 10 April, Misick issued a videotaped statement forcefully rejecting the charge, stating: "I strongly and categorically deny these false allegations…. I am confident that I will be completely and fully exonerated of these false and outrageous allegations."^[7] According to Turks and Caicos authorities, the charges are being investigated by local police and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.^[6]

Corruption allegations

In 2008, a Foreign Affairs Select Committee of British Members of Parliament conducting a routine review of the administration in British Overseas Territories received several reports of high level official corruption in the Turks and Caicos.^[8] Their report charged that Misick, "who is alleged to have built up a multi-million dollar fortune since he was elected in 2003 when he declared assets of only $50,000 (£25,000)," enriched himself and fellow ministers "by selling off Crown land to fund current investment."^[8] In response, the Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands Richard Tauwhare announced the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry into corruption on 10 July 2008.^[9]

While the investigations were underway, Governor Gordon Wetherell suspended self-government in the islands^[10] on 16 August 2009.

In June 2011 Misick's assets were frozen by a court order.^[11] In September 2010 a report from the Turks and Caicos Islands 2008-9 Commission of Inquiry recommended criminal investigation of Misick of possible corruption and abuse of his former position.^[12]

Resignation

Misick, who has denied any wrongdoing, resigned on 23 March 2009 after an investigation found "clear signs of corruption" in Turks and Caicos.^[13] The departure of the premier occurred a week earlier than expected.^[14]

References

1. ^ New Turks and Caicos premier sworn in, 23 March 2009, Jamaica-Gleaner daily newspaper
2. ^ "Taking Names". The Washington Times. 2008-08-18. http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/18/taking-names-2630472/. Retrieved 2008-08-29. 
3. ^ "Turks and Caicos PM resigns early". BBC News. 23 March 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7960426.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
4. ^ "UK imposes Turks and Caicos rule". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8202339.stm. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
5. ^ "Turks and Caicos: Britain suspends government in overseas territory". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/turksandcaicosislands/6030311/Turks-and-Caicos-Britain-suspends-government-in-overseas-territory.html. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Turks and Caicos premier faces rape investigation; calls allegations 'outrageous'." International Herald Tribune. 16 April 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
7. ^ Anthony Hall. "Commentary: TCI Premier Michael Misick accused of rape! (Updated)." Caribbean Net News. 11 April 2008.
8. ^ ^{a b} Nick Meo. "Turks and Caicos: MPs criticise 'climate of fear' on luxury holiday islands." The Telegraph. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
9. ^ "TCI Governor appoints Commission of Enquiry." Cayman Net News. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.
10. ^ Turks and Caicos PM quits amid corruption probe, AFP, published and accessed 24 March 2009
11. ^ Boyce, Hayden (July 4, 2011). "Mike Misick’s Assets Frozen World-Wide". www.suntci.com. Turks and Caicos Sun. http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=1793. Retrieved September 22, 2011. "The assets of Michael Misick, the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, have been frozen world-wide." 
12. ^ "Commission report recommends eleven criminal investigations of Michael Misick". www.tcinewsnow.com. TCI News Now!. September 12, 2011. http://www.tcinewsnow.com/headline-Commission-report-recommends-eleven-criminal-investigations-of-Michael-Misick-4918.html. Retrieved September 22, 2011. 
13. ^ Independent, Turks and Caicos PM quits after corruption inquiry, published and accessed on 24 March 2009.
14. ^ TCI Premier Resigns, The Bahama Journal, published and accessed 24 March 2009.

Preceded by Derek Hugh Taylor	Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands 2003–2006	Succeeded by Position abolished
Preceded by New position	Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands 2006–2009	Succeeded by Galmo Williams

Persondata
Name	Misick, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	2 February 1966
Place of birth	Bottle Creek, North Caicos
Date of death
Place of death