Antigua and Barbuda has found itself at the center of a Hollywood scandal after it appointed film and Broadway star Angela Bassett as a tourism ambassador without going through the proper channels.
The Ministry of Tourism in Antigua and Barbuda announced last week that Bassett and another Hollywood actress Dawn Lewis will be made ambassadors of the country.
But attorneys representing Bassett have now asked the Ministry of Tourism to “immediately cease and desist any and all use of Ms. Bassett’s name and/or image in connection with the Tourism Board’s marketing or promotional efforts”.
A letter dated May 10, issued by Bassett’s lawyers at law Fox Rothschild LLP, said no formal arrangement had been made in this regard.
“While Ms. Bassett is honored to be considered by the Tourism Board for the distinction of Tourism Ambassador, we need to discuss what this means for Ms. Bassett including, but not limited to, the duties, responsibilities, timeframe, and approvals, etc. that will be required of Ms. Bassett,”
“We request that the Tourism Board immediately cease and desist or stop using Ms. Bassett’s name, image, and biographical information in association with the designation of “Tourism Ambassador” until the parties have reached a mutual agreement, reflecting Ms. Bassett’s acceptance of the Ambassadorship position and outlining any obligations and protections for Ms. Bassett in connection therewith.”
The letter also took issue with the Department of Tourism, accusing them of using Bassett’s photos “taken during her trip to Antigua for commercial purposes without the customary prior approvals.”
The Department of Tourism has until May 15, 2023, to acknowledge receipt of the correspondence.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne was quoted in Antiguan news as saying that Tourism authorities acted in “exuberance and prematurely” when they commenced using the name, images, biodata, and other information of Hollywood Star Angela Bassett as a tourism ambassador-designate.
“Modalities had to be determined before to ensure that there are no tax implications or labeling as a politically exposed person (PEP) before they started using the information”, Browne said
Meanwhile Chief of Staff in the Office of Prime Minister Lionel Max Hurst explained that the lawyer who issued the letter is attempting to ensure two things, “First that there are no tax liabilities attached to Angela Bassett’s agreement or agreeing to be a tourism ambassador and second, if you are a US citizen and you agree to act on behalf of a foreign government, you also require in some instances a license…from the State Department listing you as a foreign agent.”
He claims the lawyers just want to ensure “no liability attaches to her.”
SAME FOR THE SINACH!!!!!! The seller of Jesus. How the hell she become an ambassador for Dominica?
You are right the DON key who was not winning a race in the Donkey derby was kicked out of the competition.
Classic case of “open mouth, insert foot”. Simply put, Gaston and his cronies got jammed up Big Time!!!
Lying Brown is at it again. Another fast one to fool and sweeten the pot for low-information-voters. He’s playing his game from an old familiar playbook with the same results. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes.
Ouch! Embarrassing much
That’s it. Blame it on the civil servants.
Dumb caribbean politicians. SMH!
Caribbean are in a haste to take credit but always refuse to take any blame. No wonder this once tranquil region is now a place of poverty, crime waves, decadence and ubiquitous corruption.
*Caribbean ‘leaders’ are in a haste…….. Inadvertently omitted the word ‘leaders’.
Yes I. That’s all I have to say. Failure to adhere to this “no nonsense” lawyer Gas-Stove Brown could find himself in serious trouble. Is this human trafficking? Maybe not. Boy look a BOMBSHELL!!! BOOOOM
The CARIBBEAN is a region!!! You dumb dumb.
“A letter dated May 10, issued by Bassett’s lawyers at law Fox Rothschild LLP, said no formal arrangement had been made in this regard.”
The above simply means that crook Gaston lied about this woman and him appointing her some sort of ambassador, of nothing!
You see these crooks, in Antigua, Dominica, and some other places in the Caribbean usually takes on their own to try and associate themselves with celebrities (popular people) to impress their political followers that they know people in high places, and as such these people are supporting them in their crooked island dealings.
The bottom line is vote for me, because, appointing a Hollywood celebrity to represent Antigua, she is going to cause the island to be flooded, and overwhelm with tourist!
Gaston is lucky they wrote him a letter demanding he cease and deists, and not slapping him with a law suit!
he thought she would be elated to be mentioned in his lie!
In America Money talks, balloon crawls!
He already blaming the tourism department and his buddy Max Fernandez…Alfa Nero, Antigua Airways, Angela Bassett, gassy really going for it this year.
Gaston put the cart before the horse going uphill. The only outcome for such folly is disaster.
Antigua again and Gaston Brown in row row, also did you know that Liat is now majority owned by a Nigerian Airline, they formed an agreement recently
https://simpleflying.com/air-peace-majority-stake-liat-2020/
This is a classic case of putting the cart before the horse. According to former President Barack Obama, “you can’t make these things up.” Now, who will help Gaston Browne to wipe the egg off his face?
Nah this is a classic case of the Jack As is we have running some of the Caribbean Islands. One in Antigua who attended too many donkey derbies and the other emperor who watched too many pappy show weddings.