supremecourt

Associated Press: The Supreme Court has ended the nation’s constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. Friday’s outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.

The decision, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump.

Both sides predicted the fight over abortion would continue, in state capitals and in Washington, and Justice Clarence Thomas, part of Friday’s majority, called on the court to overturn other high court rulings protecting same-sex marriage, gay sex and the use of contraceptives.

West Virginia’s lone clinic performing abortions stopped after Friday’s decision.

The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the court was prepared to take this momentous step.

It puts the court at odds with a majority of Americans who favored preserving Roe, according to opinion polls.

Source: Associated Press

The Supreme Court was expected to hear the matter involving lawyers fighting and defending the exploratory drilling by Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC, today.

However, it was adjourned after Fred Smith QC, who represents the environmental groups, Waterkeeper Bahamas Ltd and Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, said he was in pain due to an injury he suffered last year. Smith dislocated and shattered his left ankle, broke his left tibia, dislocated and sliced his right ankle, and broke two vertebrae while paragliding in the Dolomite mountains of the Italian Alps in 2019.

Why it matters

Bahamas Petroleum Company has begun drilling for oil just 40 miles of Andros. The exploratory drilling has faced major opposition from environmentalists who argue that the drilling risk harming the country’s marine environment.

Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley was to hear if BPC should be allowed to continue the oil drilling.

Attorneys for BPC is skeptical of Smith

Though Counsel for the BPC did not object to an adjournment, they questioned Smith’s motive, expressing concern that Smith may use the time to file more paperwork to help his case.

But Smith responded, “This is not a trick I am attempting to pull off to file more documents.”

But he did say that during the proceedings other matters may arise, adding that the main documents for the judicial review application have already been filed.

The parties will return to the Supreme Court for adjournment at 10 am Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest denied claims of a writ filed in the Supreme Court, suggesting that he played a part in defrauding an aviation company.

In an article, Eye Witness News claimed that Turnquest and Sky Bahamas Principal Randy Butler defrauded Alpha Aviation and Advanced Aviation Ltd of nearly $30,000,000.

Though Turnquest is not named as a defendant in the writ, he was reported to be director and manager of Sky Bahamas and Aviation Oversight which was owned by Butler.

The defendants are listed as Randy Butler, Sky Bahamas Airlines and Aviation Oversight Group Ltd.

What does DPM Turnquest say about the allegations?

• Turnquest says he is “aware” of the writ filed in the Supreme Court involving two former business associates.
• He makes it clear that he is not named as a defendant.
• Turnquest says the “several allegations” are “categorically false.”
• He says, “I deny the false claims. I am appalled that my standing as a public servant made calling my name in this dispute between two former business partners worthwhile. There is no room for that kind of misuse of our judicial system in our society. I am confident that the facts will defend my integrity once presented.”

What are the allegations in the court document?

• On December 31st, the defendants caused Alpha to pay a total of $20,680,337.33 to Sky Bahamas.
• As of December 31st, the defendants had dishonestly caused Alpha to pay $3,026,000 to themselves via a company.
• Between February 2008 and July 2016, the defendants caused Alpha to pay to Aviation Oversight by means of 39 fraudulent invoices, to pay to Aviation Oversight, 37 cheques, and to Sky Bahamas two cheques totaling a sum of $3,800,000.
• As of December 31st, the defendants caused Advanced to pay wire transfers totaling $5,916,587.67 to Sky Bahamas.
• It is further alleged that as of December 2017, the defendants had caused Alpha to pay $3,026,000 to themselves via a company controlled by AOG Maintenance Ltd.
• The plaintiffs also claim that between February 2008 and July 2016, the defendants caused Alpha by some 36 fraudulent invoices and book entries to pay away to Aviation Oversight $3,800,000.
• The plaintiffs claim that Turnquest and Butler failed to keep adequate financial accounts documenting the companies’ financial transactions and failed to put in place an adequate financial system.

Featured Image: ZNS