marvindames

As the 2026 election campaign intensifies, two names, absent from the ballot, have begun circulating in the political conversation — Malcolm Goodman and Adrian Fox.

Neither is seeking office. Both, however, are business associates of candidates representing opposing parties.

Goodman’s story unfolded at sea.

U.S. authorities intercepted a 45-foot vessel near Florida and reported discovering roughly 200 kilograms of cocaine onboard. Goodman, identified as the vessel’s captain, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute and importation of a controlled substance.

Before his arrest, Goodman was known as an experienced Bahamian A-Class captain and certified diver, offering chartered experiences on open water.

In 2024, he entered into a business arrangement with former National Security Minister and Mount Moriah candidate for the Free National Movement Marvin Dames. When news of the arrest broke, Dames publicly acknowledged the partnership but swiftly distanced himself, stating that neither he nor his wife had knowledge of or involvement in any alleged unlawful activity.

Goodman has taken responsibility.

Dames has not been accused of wrongdoing.

While Goodman’s case proceeds through the American court system, another name resurfaced in public discussion.

Adrian Fox, businessman and co-founder of Island Luck, had past U.S. legal matters and references in the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files. Fox is the business partner of Ambassador and Progressive Liberal Party candidate for Fort Charlotte, Sebas Bastian.

Both men were named in documents containing allegations of human and firearms trafficking — allegations they have denied.

Years earlier, Fox faced human trafficking charges in the United States connected to vessel operations in American waters. He ultimately entered a plea agreement tied to operating a vessel in a grossly negligent manner.

In 2021, Prime Minister Philip Davis confirmed he wrote to a U.S. judge on Fox’s behalf, describing him as his client and friend, and someone who had reordered his life and contributed positively to his community, urging a light, non-custodial sentence.

Character references were also submitted by Cabinet ministers Jomo Campbell and Alfred Sears, former ministers Shane Gibson and Leslie Miller, Sea Breeze MP Leslia Miller, and her husband Leander Brice, owner of the Asure Win web shop chain.

Davis said if he had to do it again, he would.

Neither Goodman nor Fox is campaigning, but as the election intensifies, their stories have become part of the season, where even association carries weight.

Two high-profile candidates from opposite political parties are feeling the political pressure because of who and what they have been connected to.

In Mount Moriah, Free National Movement Marvin Dames is trying to win back his seat after losing in 2021. A former National Security Minister and Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Dames has built his reputation on law and order.

But his campaign hit turbulence after a business associate Malcolm Goodman was arrested near Florida on a 45-foot boat allegedly carrying about 200 kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. authorities made the arrest, and the associate has taken responsibility.

Dames has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

He quickly distanced himself, saying neither he nor his wife had knowledge of or involvement in any illegal activity and that they would cooperate fully with any investigation.

“We have a country to fix, and we will remain steadfast in that mission,” he said.

Legally, that should settle it, but politically, that rarely settles it.

His connection to something like this raises eyebrows. Fair or not, voters start asking questions about association and trust.

The party’s leader, Michael Pintard on talk radio said he trust Dames’ integrity but would gather the facts and monitor the situation.

Across the aisle, in Fort Charlotte, Progressive Liberal Party candidate Sebas Bastian, an ambassador and well-known businessman, CEO of Island Luck with co-founder and business partner Adrian Fox, faced his own wave of scrutiny after his name appeared in FBI interview summaries connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Among those claims were statements that Bastian “moved arms and women” and Epstein “controlled governments.”

Bastian strongly denied any involvement. “We have a country to build, and I’m focused on helping with that,” he said.

Prime Minister Philip Davis publicly backed him, saying he was not persuaded by the claims and did not believe the matter would hurt the party’s campaign.

No charges or findings for either man.

Both are political candidates asking voters for trust at a time when public scepticism is high.

One built his reputation on enforcing the law, while the other holds a diplomatic rank and significant business influence.

They are of different parties and different situations, but the same political reality.

Election season, everything is magnified, even the candidate’s association.

With Free National Movement’s candidate Marvin Dames confirming that he and his wife previously entered into a business arrangement with a man in 2024, who is now facing serious drug charges in the United States, the political conversation has shifted because of how close the suspect appeared to be to Dames.

Our sources reveal Dames owns a charter company in which the now-arrested Malcolm Rashad Goodman served as captain. Goodman’s name was removed from the charter company’s business license after the arrest.

There is no charge, no accusation, and no evidence suggesting Dames was involved in any criminal activity. Dames, a former Deputy Commissioner of Police and Minister of National Security, moved quickly to distance himself and his wife from the accused and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

The criminal complaint filed in U.S. federal court outlines allegations against Malcolm Goodman alone, including the seizure of approximately 200 kilograms of cocaine aboard a vessel near Florida. According to the affidavit, the suspect allegedly claimed sole responsibility.

Still, politics is rarely confined to legal matters but operates heavily on voters’ perception.

In today’s campaigns, candidates may do more good by commenting quickly than staying quiet on the matter.

But voters may still ask questions about Dames’ judgment, oversight and how closely business operations are monitored: How did the business relationship begin? What level of due diligence was conducted? How well do public officials truly know those they partner with? How much autonomy does a captain have?

What safeguards are standard in charter operations?

These are questions about judgment and not criminality.

These are the kinds of questions that surface when someone with a national security background seeks public office again.

In the Bahamas, where one’s reputation travels quickly, an association with an individual can take on a life of its own. Some voters believe the relationship alone is troubling. Others argue that in business, especially in a small country, relationships overlap and circumstances change.

The deeper issue may be about the standards Bahamians expect from those seeking to lead.

As the country prepares for an election that could be called at any time, voters weigh many factors, including association.

In politics, perception can shape results and judgment, fair or not, belongs to voters.

The recent release of millions of documents connected to the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein has reignited global attention on one of the most disturbing criminal cases. Among the vast trove of material are references to several individuals, including some well-known Bahamians. Authorities however, have stressed that appearing in these files does not imply criminal conduct or wrongdoing.

The disclosure, commonly referred to as the Epstein Files, was made public on January 30 following the implementation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the United States. The legislation, signed into law by President Donald Trump in November, mandated the full release of Epstein-related records held by federal agencies.

The release includes approximately three million pages, 180,000 images, and thousands of videos gathered over years of investigation.

Among the names mentioned are Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian, Fox Foundation Founder Adrian Fox, FML Founder Craig Flowers, and former National Security Minister Marvin Dames. There is no allegation or finding that these individuals were involved in Epstein’s criminal activities, and the documents themselves vary widely in reliability, context, and evidence.

Marvin Dames

Marvin Dames (identified as Marvin James) is referenced in relation to claims that he turned over an informant to the U.S. Embassy.

Dames confirmed to the Tribune that this element of the report was accurate but challenged the authenticity of the document itself.

Sebas Bastian

The files also contain claims alleging that Sebas Bastian and Adrian Fox were involved in moving “women and arms.” Both men have strongly denied these allegations.

“I don’t do fool. In fact, the closest I come to Epstein, Jepstein, or any Stein is the stain on my shirt.”

He further expressed support for justice for Epstein’s victims and accountability for those proven to have committed crimes.

“I pray that the victims of Jeffery Epstein get justice, and that everyone who was involved in his crimes are punished without prejudice, and to the full extent of the law. No matter who they are or what power they think they have.”

Adrian Fox

Fox, in a statement to the Nassau Guardian, categorically denied ever meeting or associating with Epstein and rejected claims of any illegal activity. He warned against the spread of misinformation and echoed calls for justice grounded in evidence, not speculation.

“I want to categorically state that I have never had any personal interaction with him, nor have I engaged in any activities that could be construed as illegal, including the sale or trafficking of firearms or women.”

Craig Flowers

Craig Flowers is referenced in the files with an allegation that he “partners with Russians.”

According to the Tribune, Flowers had not commented on the matter up to press time.

As these records continue to be examined, readers should exercise caution. Documentation alone does not equal guilt, and due process remains essential, especially in cases where reputations and public trust are at stake.

As voters cast their ballots at the advance polls on Thursday, many news agencies have characterized the process as ‘not smooth.’

Voters turned out in large numbers at polling stations, standing in long lines and complaining of the wait time.

Sporadic crowds were seen at some stations as the COVID-19 Task Force sought to ensure order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham left the polling station frustrated after he complained that his name was not listed at either of the two polling divisions he attended.

He later returned and was allowed to vote after an apology by Parliamentary Commissioner Lavado Duncanson.

But Minister of National Security Marvin Dames with responsibility for the Parliamentary Registration Department said he is “not surprise” at the complaints and agitation by some voters due to the increased number of voters including the elderly, allowed to vote at the advance polls.

Senior citizens are allowed to vote early to prevent exposure to the virus and long waits on lines on Election Day.

Dames said, “We would have recently had amendments to the Act. In 2017, we had a central area where advance poll voters were allowed to come and vote. That was when we had some 3,000 voters.  This is like a mini election. We have 30,000 voters.

“You’re going to have your growing pains. This is the first time we are doing this. The growing pains are not significant to really impact people’s right to vote. People are being allowed to exercise their right to vote,” Dames said.

He said his team will “continue to forge forward” and debrief to ensure a smoother running on September 16.

Pineridge Member of Parliament Frederick McAlpine gloried that his popularity on social media trumps those of other members of parliament.

In a shouting match with National Security Minister Marvin Dames in the House of Assembly, McAlpine contested, “Every speech I put up gat 10,000 views, 10,000 views, 10,000 views. I’m waiting to see your page. I’m going to your page.”

What happened that caused the outburst

McAlpine jumped on an issued raised by Englerston Member of Parliament Gleny Hanna-Martin, claiming that police reservists were not paid the overtime for their work in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. Dames refuted that claim, stating that officers were paid overtime based on his conversation with Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle.

Dames Response to McAlpine

Dames said, “Whenever I stand, and I speak to something, I have factual documentation to prove it. We’re taking advantage of this honorable house to mislead the Bahamian people, constantly, some of us. We have to move beyond that. We talk about we speak on behalf of the people. What people?”

Dames then asked McAlpine to bring his facts to the house instead of making baseless claims.

“That he’s speaking on behalf of the people. I have yet to see the people he’s speaking on behalf. Time will tell which people on whose behalf you speaking, because I don’t see [anyone] following you.”

Nearly 150 people convicted of a criminal offense were granted clemency on Wednesday after the Prerogative of Mercy Committee met to review their cases.

Why it matters

The group comprised the largest that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee has ever considered.

What happened at the meeting

• The Prerogative of Mercy Committee met to review 205 requests for Clemency and two for Expungement of Records.
• As a result, 147 were approved for clemency, six pending additional reports, one record expunged and 59 deferred to the next meeting in January 2021.

What National Security Minister Marvin Dames said

The committee met earlier in the month with National Security Minister Marvin Dames who got an update on the processing of applications by young persons and first-time offenders.

“We are very excited about this Committee; hence the reason why our Government wanted to see this Committee flourish and come into being,”  Minister Dames said.  “The focus now is to ensure that Bahamians everywhere understand the objectives behind this Committee — the purpose of the Committee — especially those out there with police records.”

He added: “We are all about giving people a second chance, and that’s one of the objectives behind the work of this Committee — giving persons a second chance — and we already seeing the worth of that and the success of doing that.”

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said nearly 60 prisoners could be released early from the Bahamas Department of Corrections as COVID-19 cases climb exponentially in New Providence.

“To date, the Committee has recommended for approval, by the Governor-General, the release of 57 persons and others are currently being reviewed and considered for the same,” he said.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Health Organisation, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights have jointly encouraged institutions of detention around the globe to consider the release of inmates, as COVID-19 undermines hygiene, health and safety due to social distancing limitations.

Why it matters

The Bahamas Department of Corrections has an inmate population of 1,489, with many crammed in small spaces, sharing cells, showers and toilet spaces, making them susceptible to the virus.

The cramped spaces make it impossible to social distance, poor hygiene exists and like in many prisons, hand sanitizers are not permitted as they can be used to brew alcoholic drinks.

This is a big move. Who will be released?

The Prerogative Board of Mercy Committee has begun reviewing the files of inmates to determine who would be considered high-risk for contracting the virus.

The board is considering the following people for release:

• the elderly
• people with comorbidity
• people who have completed more than half of their sentences with good behavior
• people sentenced for minor, non-violent offenses that don’t compromise public safety

The virus may be rising within the prison. Reported COVID-19 prison statistics

There are two confirmed positive cases of the virus which represent 0.1 percent of the total inmate population.

• The first case was recorded in August, five months after the first case was recorded in the Bahamas. The inmate contracted the virus while receiving medical care for an unrelated illness outside of the prison.
• The second reported case is a  male inmate who tested positive on September 23rd.