Chronicle sued for $2B by Sleep-in owner for alleged libel

Aug 22, 2017 News

On August 16, 2017, the Guyana Chronicle published an article stating that the Gaming Authority is likely to reject an application for the operation of a casino at the Sleep-in Hotel.

Businessman Clifton Bacchus

The newspaper also reported on the following day that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) had indicated that it has been investigating the owner of the hotel, Clifton Bacchus and a number of his associates since July 2016 for money laundering.
In court documents seen by this newspaper, the claimant, Bacchus, is suing the Guyana National Newspapers Limited and the Editor of the Guyana Chronicle, for its initial publication on August 16 and the follow-up article in its August 17 publication which claimed that Bacchus and his hotel are being funded from criminal activities. Damages are being sought in excess of $1B for each article.
Further, the Claimant also filed for an injunction restraining the defendants from publishing any statement whatsoever of and concerning the claimant which suggests or tends to suggest that he or his business are engaged in or connected to money laundering, drug trafficking or any criminal conduct whatsoever.
Bacchus is also seeking exemplary damages, interest on all damages awarded pursuant to Section 12 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, costs and any order the court may deem just and proper.
Bacchus said in his claim that he was at all material times a businessman, a husband of a businesswoman and the father of two. He said that he is also the owner of three international hotels located in and operating from the city of Georgetown.
He added that the Sleep-in International is a multimillion-dollar investment comprising a new 150-room facility complete with restaurants, a gym, a swimming pool, a spa, bars and a building to house a casino.
According to Bacchus, the Editor of the articles falsely and maliciously published articles with sensational headlines concerning him.
Bacchus has since denied there being any truth in the articles published by the Guyana Chronicle.
Last Thursday, the hotel owner denied that he is being funded by a Surinamese businessman, Bhagwandath ‘Bidjay’ Parmasar, who is facing legal troubles in the neighbouring country.
Through his lawyer, Anil Nandlall, Bacchus had addressed the claims in a letter published in the Chronicle demanding an immediate apology from the state-owned newspaper, saying that the articles have caused customers to cancel reservations and that he is suffering embarrassment.
Bacchus believes that his chances at obtaining the casino license from the Gaming Authority have been affected. The letter also stated that the articles sought to convey to the reader that Bacchus and his company are funded and financed from criminal proceeds.
The article published by the Chronicle had stated that certain criminal legal proceedings were instituted against Parmasar.
Nandlall said in the letter that the Chronicle’s articles tried to create a nexus between Bacchus and Parmasar’s legal troubles. According to the Chronicle, Parmasar is the owner of Yokohama Trading Company, the parent company of Pasha Global Group, a supposed main player in the setup of the Carnival Casino, owned by Bacchus.
Nandlall said that his client has not received a single cent from Parmasar and that Bacchus’ financing has been from Trust Company (Guyana Limited), Scotia Bank (Guyana), Wide Grace Limited and Global Trading Company Limited; entities Parmasar and Yokohama Trading Company are not directors or shareholders.
Based on Guyana’s law, there can be only three casinos in each of the 10 administrative regions. As it relates to Region four, one license has already been granted to Princess Casino. This leaves two for the taking, one of which is expected to be awarded to the state-owned Marriott Hotel.