A detailed rap sheet of suspected corruption among ABLP figures across the government is now at the U.S. Department of Justice, awaiting consideration by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The 12-page document, dated April 20, contains names of individuals and institutions, including Gaston Browne and Maria Bird-Browne.
The allegations, though not new, are shocking when laid out in one document:
- transnational financial crimes;
- money laundering;
- passport corruption within the Citizenship by Investment Programme;
- shadowy activity in an opaque CIP oversight committee chaired by Joey John;
- disappearance of millions from the Alfa Nero expropriation;
- corruption in the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) and ties to the Cartel of the Suns;
- violation of international sanctions on Maduro regime in Venezuela;
- inappropriate ties between Gaston Browne and Cartel of the Suns money launderer Alex Saab;
- human trafficking;
- much more.
The Caribbean Anticorruption Association calls for the U.S. to conduct full forensic audits and criminal investigations where applicable, and the revocation of U.S. visas to ABLP figures, including those associated with CIP oversight.
The full text of the letter appears below. Download PDF of full letter here.
Caribbean Anticorruption Association
Washington, DC
Date: April 20, 2026
The Honorable Todd Blanche Acting Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
RE: REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION INTO TRANSNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRIMES AND CORRUPTION WITHIN THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (CIP) and WEST INDIES OIL COMPANY (WIOC)
Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche,
The Caribbean Anticorruption Association is writing to formally request that the Department of Justice, through the newly established National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED), initiate a comprehensive investigation into credible allegations of systemic corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes involving senior members of the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) and their associates and cronies.
Specifically, we urge your office to examine the illicit exploitation of the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP). There is significant evidence suggesting that this program has been used as a conduit for the laundering of funds by foreign actors and corrupt local officials, undermining the integrity of the U.S. financial system and regional security.
Geopolitical Concerns and Illicit Financing of particular concern is the influence of the People’s Republic of China and the Maduro-linked interests from Venezuela within Antigua’s critical infrastructure. The West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) serves as a primary example of this entanglement. With significant shareholding held by PDV Caribe S.A. (a subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA), the company operates at the intersection of sanctioned
regimes and local political power.
Requests for Action:
Financial Investigation: Conduct a forensic audit of U.S. dollar transactions linked to the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) parliamentarians and the executive leadership of the West Indies Oil Company, including CEO Gregory Georges and the Board of Directors, to identify potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and anti-money laundering statutes. Our organization also respectfully requests that an investigation be launched into the so-called CIP OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.
This committee is chaired by Dr. Joseph (Joey) John, an ABLP advisor and confidant of prime minister Gaston Browne. Other members of this so-called Citizenship by Investment (CIP) Oversight Committee who should be the subject of an investigation are:
Martin Camacho
Katrina Yearwood
Rachid Bloodman
Visa Revocation: We request that the Department of State, in coordination with the DOJ, exercise its authority under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to revoke the U.S. visas of these individuals. Their continued access to U.S. territory poses a risk to national security and facilitates the movement of illicit wealth.
Entry Bans: Formally bar the CEO and board members of the West Indies Oil Company from entering the United States mainland and its territories (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) due to their roles in managing assets linked to sanctioned entities and facilitating public corruption.
Key Context
● The NFED: Acting AG Todd Blanche established this division on April 7, 2026, specifically to consolidate resources for investigating fraud against government programs and international financial schemes.
● WIOC Leadership: The CEO of West Indies Oil Company is Gregory Georges. The board has historically included figures such as Raul LiCausi (linked to PDV Caribe) and Maria Browne, spouse of Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
● Legal Precedent: The U.S. government recently used similar visa revocations against over 50 officials in Mexico due to corruption and ties to illicit organizations, providing a clear precedent for this request. The evidence stemming from the Alfa Nero discovery filings provides a detailed look into alleged financial irregularities within the Antigua and Barbuda government. The following summary outlines the key evidence cited in recent U.S. court filings (March and April 2026), specifically regarding the Alfa Nero and the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC):
Discrepancies in Sale Proceeds
The core of the legal challenge by Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhov (the alleged owner) centers on the “disappearance” of millions of dollars from the yacht’s sale.
● Undervaluation: Filings allege that the $40 million final sale price was
suspiciously low, significantly less than the $67 million high bid received during the initial public auction.
● Unaccounted Funds: While the Antiguan government released a breakdown ccounting for $36 million, the remaining $4 million remains unanswered.
● Corrupt Motive: Applicant investigators alleged that the administration was set to receive up to a 50% commission on the sale and that the process was orchestrated for self-interested purposes.
Targeted Financial Entities and Individuals
Discovery applications targeted wire transfer records over a five-year period to trace the flow of funds. The entities and individuals named in the filings include:
● Seven Individuals: Prime Minister Gaston Browne, his wife, his son, Antigua’s Accountant General, and the Port Manager.
● West Indies Oil Company (WIOC): Specifically cited due to its 25% shareholding by Venezuela’s state-owned PDV Caribe S.A.
● Fancy Bridge Ltd: A Hong Kong-based investment firm identified in filings as having ties to Venezuela’s PDVSA.
Coordinated Pressure: The filings suggest a pattern of “reputational pressure and procedural fragmentation” designed to facilitate the seizure and sale of high-value assets.
U.S. Scrutiny of WIOC Leadership
In January 2026, Prime Minister Browne confirmed that WIOC CEO Gregory Georges was detained and questioned by U.S. authorities.
● Evidence Seizure: His electronic devices were temporarily seized.
● Sanction Scrutiny: The questioning was reportedly linked to WIOC’s historical and financial ties to Venezuela, which the U.S. continues to monitor for sanctions violations.
Status of the Filings
● Second Circuit Ruling (March 30, 2026): The U.S. Court of Appeals recently quashed subpoenas against the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, citing procedural grounds rather than a lack of merit in the corruption claims.
● Open Door: The court explicitly stated that a fresh discovery application could be filed if circumstances change—for instance, if the Antiguan High Court rules that the original seizure of the yacht was unconstitutional.
Appendix A: Evidence Citations from Alfa Nero Discovery Filings
I. Primary Legal Reference
● Case Citation: Guryeva-Motlokhov v. Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Case No. 23-cv-11129 (S.D.N.Y.) and subsequent appeal Case No. 24-211 (Second Circuit).
● Discovery Filing: Application for Judicial Assistance Under 28 U.S.C. § 1782.
II. Key Evidence of Financial Irregularity
The “Missing” Millions: Discovery documents allege that while the Antiguan government claimed the Alfa Nero sale was necessary to pay off state debts, the final sale price of $40 million—received from Eric Schmidt (who later withdrew) and subsequent bidders—resulted in a $27 million shortfall from the initial high bid. Filings suggest these funds were diverted through offshore intermediaries.
Naming of High-Level Officials: The § 1782 discovery application specifically sought financial records for a group of “Interested Persons” including:
● Gaston Browne (Prime Minister)
● Maria Bird-Browne (Member of Parliament)
WIOC and Sanctioned Interests: The filings highlight that the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) facilitated the fueling and maintenance of the vessel during its seizure. Evidence was presented regarding the 25% ownership of WIOC by PDV Caribe S.A., alleging that the ABLP administration used WIOC to bypass U.S. sanctions and move funds linked to Venezuelan interests.
III. Admissions of U.S. Law Enforcement Activity
● January 2026 Confirmation: Prime Minister Gaston Browne publicly confirmed that Gregory Georges, CEO of WIOC, was detained by U.S. federal agents and his electronic devices were seized for forensic imaging. This confirms an active nexus between WIOC leadership and U.S. criminal jurisdictions.
● Tampering Allegations: Recent filings in the Antigua High Court (April 2026) allege that public records related to the CIP funds used to maintain the yacht were altered to hide the involvement of specific ABLP parliamentarians.
IV: Targeted Individuals for Investigation and Visa Revocation
We formally request the inclusion of the following individuals in any pending or future federal investigation regarding the Alfa Nero matter, CIP corruption, and financial crimes:
Primary Parliamentarians & Officials:
● Charles Max Fernandes: Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. As a senior member of the ABLP, his oversight of high-value tourism assets and coordination with foreign investors (particularly from the PRC) is a matter of strategic concern.
● Daryll Matthew: Minister of Education, Sports, and Creative Industries who has accumulated unexplained wealth
● Paul Chet Greene: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs. His role involves the direct administration of foreign treaties and trade agreements with sanctioned regimes.
● Senator Mary-Clare Hurst: Senate Majority Leader. Her legislative influence has been instrumental in passing amendments that facilitated the expedited sale of seized assets under the Alfa Nero framework.
Relatives and CIP Agents (Nepotism & Facilitation):
● Andron Browne: Son of Prime Minister Gaston Browne. Evidence suggests a potential role in the facilitation of high-level CIP transactions and acting as a liaison for private investment interests linked to the Prime Minister’s office.
● Attorney Arthur Thomas: A key legal architect and CIP agent. Thomas has historically provided the legal framework for domestic and international asset transfers that obscure the true beneficial ownership of funds.
● Relatives of Max Fernandes (CIP Agents): We request an audit of specific CIP licenses held by members of the Fernandes family, who serve as authorized agents. There are credible allegations that these licenses are used to fast-track “high-risk” applicants from China and Venezuela, bypassing standard Interpol and JCAAA vetting.
● U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs (Visa Office)
V: Key Facilitators and Related Parties
We urge the Department of Justice to specifically investigate the following individuals for their roles in the management of seized assets and the facilitation of financial transactions that bypass U.S. regulatory oversight:
Port and Asset Management Facilitators:
● Darwin Telemaque: Port Manager of Antigua and Barbuda. Telemaque has been the central figure in the physical seizure and maintenance of the Alfa Nero. His office manages the interface between the vessel’s operational costs and the public treasury, where significant discrepancies in maintenance billing have been alleged in recent discovery filings.
● Johan Hesse: A business associate frequently linked to high-value government procurement and asset management. His involvement in the logistics of the Alfa Nero transition and his ties to ABLP leadership warrant a forensic review of his U.S.-based financial interests.
● Gilbert Bustany: A prominent figure within the business community with deep ties to the current administration. Investigation is requested into his role as a potential intermediary in the movement of funds derived from the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) into private commercial ventures.
Legal and Familial Nexus:
● Attorney Arthur Thomas: As previously noted, Thomas remains a primary person of interest regarding the legal structuring of offshore entities used to hold and move ABLP-linked capital.
● Andron Browne: Son of Prime Minister Gaston Browne. We request an investigation into his business ventures and whether they have been financed or supported by funds diverted from the West Indies Oil Company or the CIP.
● Relatives of Charles Max Fernandes: We specifically flag CIP agents related to Minister Fernandes. There is a documented risk that familial ties are being leveraged to bypass the mandatory Section 4 vetting requirements of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act, particularly for applicants from mainland China and Venezuela.
Final “Notice of Interest” for the Acting Attorney General
The collective actions of these individuals—ranging from the management of state ports to the legal facilitation of asset sales—represent a coordinated effort to insulate the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party leadership and other corrupt actors from the consequences of transnational financial crimes.
The use of U.S. correspondent banking to process these transactions provides the necessary jurisdictional authority for DOJ intervention.
VI: Key Facilitators (Updated)
● Attorney Arthur Thomas: * Legal Standing: Senior Partner at Thomas, John & Co. (or associated private practice).
● Location of Interest: Sir Sidney Walling Highway, St. John’s, Antigua.
● Reason for Inclusion: As a primary legal architect for the Antigua Labour Party and a high-level CIP agent, Thomas’s offices are allegedly the hub for the legal structuring of transactions now being scrutinized in the Alfa Nero discovery filings. His proximity to government decision-making processes regarding the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC) and CIP fund allocation makes his U.S.-linked financial activities a matter of urgent federal interest.
VII: Geographic Nexus and Business Locations
We request that federal investigators prioritize the following locations for financial audits and surveillance related to the Antigua Labour Party (ABLP) corruption and Alfa Nero funds:
● Gilbert Boustany (Miami/Coral Gables Nexus):
● Focus: Investigation into U.S.-based assets, real estate holdings, and corporate entities registered in Coral Gables and the broader Miami, Florida area.
● Concern: Identifying whether these properties or accounts have been used to shield wealth derived from the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) or the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC).
● Johan Hesse (St. John’s, Antigua Nexus):
● Focus: Financial activities and procurement contracts managed within St. John’s, Antigua.
VIII: Human Trafficking and Illicit Campaign Financing
We urge the Department of Justice to investigate the following operational nexus involving Antigua Airways and its links to transnational crime syndicates:
The Antigua Airways Smuggling Conduit:
The Scheme: In late 2022 and 2023, Antigua Airways—a public-private partnership promoted by the ABLP—operated chartered flights from West Africa (specifically Nigeria) to St. John’s.
While marketed as “tourism,” these flights facilitated the transit of hundreds of African nationals who were subsequently smuggled through the Caribbean to illegally enter the United States.
Human Trafficking Violations: This operation mirrors a “gateway” human smuggling model, where a sovereign state’s visa-on-arrival policies are exploited for profit. We request an investigation into whether any of the targeted ABLP parliamentarians received kickbacks or “facilitation fees” for each passenger landing.
The “Marvelous Mike” Financial Nexus:
The Entity: Marvelous Mike Press Ltd, a Nigerian printing and logistics firm, has been identified as a primary backer of this venture.
Money Laundering Allegations: Evidence suggests that funds generated from these smuggling operations, and other illicit West African sources, were laundered through Antigua Airways to provide “dark money” support for the ABLP 2023 political campaign.
U.S. Jurisdiction: As these transactions often involve U.S. correspondent banking and the eventual illegal entry of persons into the U.S. mainland, this falls directly under the mandate of the National Fraud Enforcement Division.
IX: The Alex Saab Nexus and Maduro’s Financial Network
We urge the Department of Justice to investigate the high-level coordination between Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Alex Saab, the convicted money launderer for the Nicolás Maduro regime. Evidence suggests that Antigua and Barbuda served as a critical node in Saab’s global etwork to bypass U.S. sanctions and fund the “Cartel of the Suns.”
The Special Envoy Appointment
The Scheme: Gaston Browne’s administration appointed Alex Saab as a “Special Envoy” for Antigua and Barbuda, providing him with a diplomatic passport to grant him immunity from U.S. prosecution and international warrants.
The Motive: This appointment was not a traditional diplomatic gesture but a functional tool to facilitate the movement of “blood gold” and illicit oil revenues through Caribbean financial channels.
Link to the Cartel of the Suns:
Money Laundering: We request an investigation into whether the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC)—partially owned by Venezuela’s PDV Caribe S.A.—acted as a laundering point for cartel-linked funds.
Asset Shielding: Evidence from the Alfa Nero discovery suggests that the ABLP leadership used their relationship with Saab and Maduro-linked entities to shield illicit wealth from U.S. seizure, potentially violating the Kingpin Act.
Campaign Influence:
Like the “Marvelous Mike” allegations, there are credible reports that Venezuelan state assets and cartel-linked capital were funneled into ABLP coffers to ensure the party’s narrow victory in the 2023 elections, thereby maintaining a “sanctuary state” for sanctioned individuals.
X: Additional Targeted Legislative Personnel
We urge the Department of Justice and the State Department to include the following individual in the investigation for facilitation of legislative frameworks that enable financial opacity and transnational crime:
Senator Philip Shoul:
Focus: Investigation into the use of legislative influence to fast-track amendments that benefit the ABLP’s private financial interests and those of foreign adversaries (China and Venezuela).
Concern: His oversight role in the Senate regarding the management of public-private partnerships, such as Antigua Airways, and his connection to the distribution of CIP-derived capital.
XI. Lastly, Allen Onyema Ties to Antigua and Barbuda and Gaston Browne
Executive Summary
This report outlines the ongoing legal challenges facing Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace, and his significant business influence within Antigua and Barbuda. Despite federal indictments in the United States, Onyema remains a central figure in the regional aviation sector through the launch of LIAT 2020.
United States Federal Indictments
The U.S. Department of Justice has brought serious charges against Mr. Onyema across two primary filings:
● Bank Fraud & Money Laundering (2019): Allegations involve the movement of over $20 million through U.S. accounts using “export letters of credit” supported by false documents for airplane purchases.
● Obstruction of Justice (2024): A superseding indictment added charges claiming Onyema and his legal manager submitted a fraudulent contract to the government to intentionally unseat the initial investigation.
Antigua and Barbuda Relationship
The relationship between the Antiguan government and Mr. Onyema is characterized by high-level diplomatic and economic cooperation.
● Citizenship Status: Mr. Onyema was granted Antigua and Barbuda citizenship via the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP).
● Prime Ministerial Support: Prime Minister Gaston Browne has consistently defended the partnership, citing rigorous due diligence and the vital importance of Onyema’s capital to the nation’s aviation goals.
LIAT 2020 Joint Venture
The restructuring of the regional carrier LIAT into LIAT 2020 is the cornerstone of this business relationship.
Entity Shareholding % Contribution
Air Peace (Allen Onyema) 70% US$60M + Embraer 145 Aircraft
Gov. of Antigua & Barbuda 30% Regulatory support & Infrastructure
Compliance & Risks
● Extradition Concerns: Given the U.S. indictments, there is ongoing public debate regarding the potential for extradition requests, though no formal move has been finalized.
● Operational Stability: The reliance on a majority shareholder facing active federal prosecution in the U.S. presents a reputational and financial risk to the LIAT 2020 brand.
References
● U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Georgia
● Newsday: LIAT 2020 Nigerian Investor Analysis
● Official Portal of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Complete list of officials and facilitators targeted for investigation:
I. Ministerial & Executive Leadership
● Gaston Browne: Prime Minister
● Sir Molwyn Joseph: Minister of Health, Wellness, Social Transformation, and the Environment
● Daryll Matthew: Minister of Education, Creative Industries, and Sports
● Paul Chet Greene: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Trade, and Barbuda Affairs
● Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin: Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Labor, and Immigration
● Gregory Georges: CEO of the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC)
II. Legislative & Political Personnel
● Senator Philip Shoul.
III. Operational Facilitators & Legal Personnel
● Attorney Arthur Thomas: Identified as the legal architect
● Hilroy Humphreys
● Darwin Telemaque: Port Manager
● Sir Ronald Sanders: Ambassador to the U.S.
● Charles “Max” Fernandes: Minister of Tourism
IV. Family Members & Intermediaries
● Maria Bird-Browne
● Andron Browne: Son of PM Gaston Browne
● Dr. Joseph “Joey” John Private businessman
● Gilbert Boustany and Johan Hesse: Business intermediaries
This list was compiled to support a comprehensive investigation into systemic corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes, specifically concerning the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) and the West Indies Oil Company (WIOC). Also, collusion between individuals, groups
and countries considered to be hostile toward the United States and a national security threat.
The United States has long been a leader in combating global kleptocracy. At a time when foreign adversaries are seeking to gain a foothold in the Caribbean through “debt-trap diplomacy” and the co-opting of local elites, a firm response is required to protect our hemispheric interests.
We remain available to provide further documentation and evidence to support these inquiries.
Thank you for your leadership and your commitment to the rule of law.
Sincerely,
CC:
The Honorable Linda Taglialatela, U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean
Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Director, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
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