Statement from the Chief Executive Officer of the Citizenship by Investment Department

As some of you may already know, my name appears in a civil lawsuit filed in the United States by MSR Media International and Philip Martinez against former and current government officials of St. Kitts and Nevis and CIP participants who are active in St. Kitts and Nevis and are currently building a hotel in St. Lucia.

In an interview with Lisa Joseph on Daher Broadcasting Service (“DBS”) on Thursday evening, June 6, 2024, Mr. Philip Martinez said, “During my conversation with him, I deduced that Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the Minister in charge of the CIP program, was suspected of being involved in a CIP fraud case.

I would like to draw the attention of the Saint Lucia public to the reasons and nature of my meeting with Mr. Martinez and the position of the Saint Lucia CIP Department:

1. I am extremely concerned and confused about the inclusion of my name as a co-defendant in the lawsuit filed by Philip Martinez under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

2. At the invitation of Mr. Martinez through his local representative, I agreed to meet with him and his attorney to understand the reasons why I was included in the civil lawsuit and to avoid the possibility of discrediting the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program sector. During the meeting with Mr. Martinez, no evidence was presented to me to substantiate the allegations of any fraudulent practices in the Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program.

3. Furthermore, I made it clear to Mr. Martinez that I had no knowledge of Congressman Hillaire or any Saint Lucian official being involved in any fraudulent or illegal activity related to the operation of the CIP program.

4. I further explained that the issuance of the real estate shares had gone through all due legal procedures and the funds were properly accounted for in an escrow account established for the purpose.

5. At no time during my meetings with Mr. Martinez did I suggest, explicitly or otherwise, that Mr. Hillaire or any Saint Lucian official might be of concern for his alleged fraudulent conduct in connection with the Saint Lucian Citizenship by Investment Program.

I would like to reiterate that the Department has always complied with the laws and policies established for the program. I am committed to ensuring that the Department operates in accordance with Saint Lucian law and best international practices. As such, I will vigorously defend myself and the integrity of the CIP Department against this allegation.