While appearing at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday, Minister of Finance, the Hon. Michael Halkitis answered questions about his involvement in Top Notch Builders Ltd. Media reports have named the company’s President and Director as Jonathan Eric Gardiner, who was arrested by US officials on drug related charges following a plane crash on May 12th.
Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard posed questions about Halkitis’ links to the company while delivering his response to the 2026/2027 budget communication on Wednesday. He said, “did he at any time serve as President or Director at Top Notch Builders. If his answer is yes, is this the same Top Notch Builders involved in the Eight Mile Rock government building project under the PPP deal. Is it the same Top Notch Builders connected to Jonathan Eric Gardiner in custody. The Minister of Finance must explain and declare his involvement, if in fact it exists.”
Halkitis told reporters, “back in 2019, as a private citizen, I was involved in financial consulting and corporate services consulting. I was approached to provide consulting and directorship services to Top Notch Builders, in particular setting up proper corporate governance procedures and structures. By, that was the middle of 2019, by April 2020, the company suspended operations due to COVID-19 pandemic and I resigned as Director of that company and all of the other directorships I held in 2021.”
The finance minister also responded to allegations that $200,000 in government funds were used to fund vouchers distributed to residents in Abaco during the recent general election campaign. He said, “I see that and as we move into the debate, you know, we can address these issues. I understand that they asked several questions and so those will be addressed.”
The Opposition is also expected to inquire about the standing of the Renaissance At Carmichael housing project and the level of the government’s involvement in the project.
