(Barbados Nation) Moments before being sentenced yesterday, Donville Inniss delivered a lengthy and passionate plea in a United States Federal Court in New York, saying that for the past 32 months he had endured public humiliation, immeasurable pain, financial ruin, poor health and shattered relationships.
Inniss, 55, a former Minister of Industry, International Business and Commerce, also apologised to his family, friends, political colleagues and the citizens of Barbados for bringing himself and the country into disrepute.
Reading from a written document and sitting at the bar table next to his attorney, he spoke of life from his childhood to an adult, highlighting his achievements and the hallmark of his political career when he became a Member of Parliament.
He said he had now become the first person in Barbados to be convicted under the 1929 Prevention of Corruption Act.
He told the court he returned to the US in 2018 following the Democratic Labour Party’s 30-0 defeat in the general election.
Pointing out he was not bitter over the loss, Inniss said: “I felt that the defeat was another lesson in life.”
He said he returned to the US to start afresh, intending to complete his doctoral studies and become a college professor before returning to active politics. “All my hopes, dreams, aspirations . . . came crashing down on that fateful day when I was arrested and charged.
“The arrest and indictment hit me like a ton of bricks . . . I felt alone and stranded in a country where I had few friends and less family. I had little resources and no support system,” he revealed, adding he had spent the last 32 months restricted to Florida, under house arrest and faced “serious embarrassment” as a result of the charges and conviction.
“I am throwing myself at your mercy and I express sincere apology to those I have hurt by my actions,” he told the court, adding his wife and sons had been his “bedrock” and support system.
“I could not have imagined the embarrassment, pain, anger and mixed emotions that my family endured over the past 32 months,” he said, as he asked the court to allow him to pick up the pieces of his shattered life.
The businessman who was widely touted as a future political leader revealed how he had now hit rock bottom.
He said even before his pre-trial, banks in Barbados had closed all of his accounts “and wanted nothing to do with me as a customer. No amount of pleading innocence and asking for the matter to be resolved here first appealed to the banks”, he cried, adding he was also shunned by banks in the US.
Inniss said he was unable to find work and was forced to put his doctoral studies on hold.
He also gave business advice to some companies “who have not seen it fit to pay me”.
He further told that court that since his arrest in 2018, he hardly had cash to survive and was at the mercy of friends and family. He spoke of having “doors closed in my face” since his conviction 16 months ago.
“I have faith that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. It is times like these you realise who your true friends are.”
He offered a “deep and sincere” apology to Barbadians for the “pain, suffering and embarrassment caused”.
Inniss revealed that as an MP in Government, he was part of discussions which centred around the need to upgrade the outdated 1929 Prevention of Corruption Act, which still has not been changed.
He said he never envisaged being the first person to be convicted under that act in 80 years.
“The fact that I am the first person to be convicted by the 1929 act is not lost on me. The fact that it has occurred in the US is also very profound.”
However, he said: “I bear no malice against the jury or the prosecutors.”
As to the bribe money he was accused of receiving from the Insurance Corporation of Barbados Ltd (ICBL), Inniss appeared to distance himself once more from the matter, stating that in Barbados it was usual for politicians to receive support from businesses to help finance their political engagements.
“I do hope that no upcoming politician back home would have to endure what I went through for the past 32 months.”
Of the crime for which he was convicted, Inniss said: “I ask myself how, when and where did I create fictitious invoices,” as he stressed that he did not ask anyone at ICBL to write any cheques for him, neither did he approve any contracts for that company.
He added it was not his intention to hurt any employees of the company as he apologised for any anguish he had caused them, but quickly added that ICBL continued to prosper as an insurer.
Pointing out that he worked at BIDC for seven years as a business development officer, Inniss said he had made many friends there and apologised “for the pain they have suffered as a result of these charges”.
In terms of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), of which he had oversight as minister responsible for Industry and Commerce, he said: “Your Honour, I have searched high and low for any evidence that I as a minister instructed the affairs of the BIDC . . . .
“Today I humble myself before you and the court. I have lost everything – all that I have worked for,” he said, adding he now had to endure strained relationships and irreparable financial ruin, and that health issues “have threatened my existence”.
“Whilst I look forward to returning to Barbados soon, I know I would be persona non grata,” he said as he mentioned broken relationships.
“Recovery is uncertain but it is something that I am willing to fight for. I sincerely apologise for all the errors I have made and I humbly throw myself at the mercy of the court.”