Andrew Mitchell KC secures convictions in TCI Corruption Trial

In the second trial in long-running proceedings in the Turks & Caicos Islands, relating to high-value land deals, verdicts have been reached against the former Premier, his brother and another government minister.  

Andrew Mitchell KC, having led the prosecution team throughout the investigation and the trial proceedings, commented “The dedication of the investigating officers and lawyers for the Crown to gather the evidence and present the case before the courts and, despite the sad and untimely death of the original trial Judge, the decision of the then DPP Eugene Otuonye KC to continue the case, has been wholly vindicated.”

Summarised from The Times Caribbean Online:  

“In a historic and damning judgment that sends shockwaves across the Caribbean political landscape, former Turks and Caicos Islands Premier, his brother and attorney, and former government minister were found guilty on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, following one of the region’s longest-running and most consequential corruption prosecutions.

The verdicts were delivered by after a tense four-hour hearing in a packed and hushed Supreme Court, with the judge presiding without a jury. When asked whether they wished to address the court prior to sentencing, all three defendants declined, indicating they would speak through their legal representatives. Sentencing has been adjourned to a later date; however, the judge made clear his intention to remand the convicted men in custody pending that hearing

The sweeping convictions stem from a sprawling corruption scheme involving more than US$20 million in alleged bribes, fraudulent land transactions, and money laundering tied to high-value Crown land deals in the .

Former Premier Misick was convicted on three counts of bribery relating to transactions involving the Beaches resort interests, as well as land on Salt Cay and West Caicos. Hanchell was found guilty on two counts of bribery connected to land deals on Salt Cay and West Caicos. Chal Misick was convicted on four counts of money laundering under the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance.

Evidence before the court revealed a complex web of corrupt payments allegedly totalling approximately US$14.2 million linked to Salt Cay, US$4.7 million associated with West Caicos, and a further US$2 million connected to Beaches-related transactions.

The convictions mark a defining moment for accountability and governance in the Turks and Caicos Islands, closing a dark chapter that has loomed over the territory for more than a decade. As the region now awaits sentencing, the fall of once-powerful political figures stands as a stark warning that corruption at the highest levels—no matter how entrenched—can and will be exposed.”

Andrew Mitchell KC added “It has been a long and winding road, but the TCI now knows the truth, the facts and the sums involved nearly $20m,  in what was a small part of the entire investigated corruption and money laundering.”