Editing Michael Misick

{{Short description|1st Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[The Honourable]]
| name                = Michael Misick
| image               = Michael Misick 2008 (cropped).png
| caption             = Misick in 2008
| office              = 1st [[Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]
| term_start          = 9 August 2006
| term_end            = 23 March 2009
| monarch             = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor            = [[Richard Tauwhare]]<br>[[Mahala Wynns]] (Acting)<br>[[Gordon Wetherell]]
| predecessor         = ''New office''
| successor           = [[Galmo Williams]]<ref>[http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090324/lead/lead8.html New Turks and Caicos premier sworn in] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327032724/http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20090324/lead/lead8.html |date=27 March 2009 }}, 23 March 2009, Jamaica-Gleaner daily newspaper</ref>
| office2             = 7th [[Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]
| term_start2         = 15 August 2003
| term_end2           = 9 August 2006
| monarch2            = [[Elizabeth II]]
| governor2           = [[Jim Poston]]<br>[[Mahala Wynns]] (Acting)<br>[[Richard Tauwhare]]
| predecessor2        = [[Derek Hugh Taylor]]
| successor2          = ''Office ceased to exist''
| birth_name          = Michael Eugene Misick
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1966|2|2}}
| birth_place         = Bottle Creek, [[North Caicos]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]]
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Progressive National Party (Turks and Caicos Islands)|Progressive National Party]]
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[LisaRaye McCoy]]|2006|2008|reason=div.}}
* {{marriage|Tatjana van de Merwe|2018|}}
}}
| relations           = [[Washington Misick]] (brother)
| education           = [[University of Buckingham]]
| nickname            = Iron Mike<br />Your Brother's Keeper<br />The Man of the People
}}
'''Michael Eugene Misick''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɪ|z|ɪ|k}}; born 2 February 1966) is a [[Turks and Caicos]] Islander politician who was the 7th [[Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands]] from 15 August 2003 to 9 August 2006 and was the 1st [[Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands]] from 9 August 2006 to 23 March 2009. Misick is a member of the [[Progressive National Party (Turks and Caicos Islands)|Progressive National Party]] (PNP) and became chief minister when his party, after eight years as the opposition party, gained two parliamentary seats in by-elections. In addition to being premier, he was also the minister for Civil Aviation, Commerce and Development, Planning, District Administration, Broadcasting Commission, Tourist Board, Turks and Caicos Investment Agency, and Tourism. Several other members of Misick's family have been politicians in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and important leaders in the PNP. [[Washington Misick]], his brother, is the current Premier, former Chief Minister and former Minister of Finance.

==Biography==
Born in Bottle Creek, [[North Caicos]], Misick is one of 12 children of Mr and Mrs Charles Misick. He received his foundation education in North Caicos and then furthered it at the Turks and Caicos High School (Helena Jones Robinson High School), the Miami Lakes Technical Institute (where he graduated with a certificate in Business Studies), and the [[University of Buckingham]] (LLB, Hons. Bachelor of Law). Misick is a [[Barristers in England and Wales|Barrister at Law of England and Wales]] and an Attorney at Law of Turks and Caicos Islands. He is a member of the [[Lincoln's Inn|Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Premiers: Former Head of Government, Honorable Michael Eugene Misick, Premier |date=10 September 2012 |publisher=Radio Turks & Caicos |url=http://rtc107fm.com/culture/about-turks-caicos/16-local/history-a-culture/16-former-premiers.html#head2 }}</ref>

Misick spent several years in the private sector where he was sales manager for Prestigious Properties Ltd. from 1984 to 1986 and managing director from 1986 to 1988. From 1988 to 1991 he was chairman and CEO of Paramount Group of Companies, a property and financial services company. Misick was first elected to the [[Legislative Council of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Legislative Council]] in 1991, when he became Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Communications. He was re-elected in 1995. In March 2002 he was elected leader of the then opposition PNP thus succeeding [[Washington Misick]]. In the [[2003 Turks and Caicos Islands general election|April 2003 general elections]], Misick's party won 6 out of the possible 13 seats in the legislature. The successful petitioning and winning of by-elections held in two constituencies resulted in Misick being sworn in as [[Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands]] on 15 August 2003, four months after the election.

==Personal==
Misick has six children with five different women.<ref>https://eurweb.com/2018/10/05/former-prime-minister-of-turks-and-caicos-reveals-his-six-month-fling-with-omarosa  Misick, who has been married three times and has six children by five different women,</ref>
His first marriage was to Yvette Marcelin, an attorney.<ref name="tcweeklynews.com">{{Cite web|url=https://tcweeklynews.com/michael-misick-weds-dominican-bride-p8985-127.htm|title = Michael Misick weds Dominican bride}}</ref> In April 2006, Michael Misick married American actress [[LisaRaye McCoy]]. A statement released on 12 August 2008 to the press by Misick stated: "I am announcing that I am separated from ''[[LisaRaye McCoy]]'', I am committed to dissolving the marriage amicably. I believe that this is a private matter and will have no further comments. I hope that our privacy will be respected.”.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/18/taking-names-2630472/|title=Taking Names|date=2008-08-18|newspaper=The Washington Times|accessdate=2008-08-29}}</ref> The two were divorced in 2008.

In 2013 he became engaged to [[Netherlands]] native<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tcweeklynews.com/correction-p8994-127.htm|title=Correction}}</ref> Tatjana van de Merwe of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. They married in August 2018.<ref name="tcweeklynews.com"/>

==Political career==
===Corruption allegations===
In 2008, a [[Foreign Affairs Select Committee]] of British [[Member of Parliament#United Kingdom|Members]] of [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] conducting a routine review of the administration in [[British Overseas Territories]] received several reports of high-level official corruption in the Turks and Caicos.<ref name="Climate of Fear">Nick Meo. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/turksandcaicosislands/2253223/Turks-and-Caicos-MPs-criticise-climate-of-fear-on-luxury-holiday-islands.html "Turks and Caicos: MPs criticise 'climate of fear' on luxury holiday islands."] ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]''. 6 July 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2008.</ref>  Their report charged that Misick, "who is alleged to have built up a multi-million dollar fortune since he was elected in 2003 when he declared assets of only [[United States dollar|$]]50,000 ([[Pound sterling|£]]25,000)," enriched himself and fellow ministers "by selling off Crown land to fund current investment."<ref name="Climate of Fear"/>  In response, the [[Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands]] [[Richard Tauwhare]] announced the appointment of a Commission of Enquiry into corruption on 10 July 2008.<ref>[http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/caribnet/archivelist.php?news_id=9063&pageaction=showdetail&news_id=9063&arcyear=2008&arcmonth=7&arcday=10=&ty= "Turks and Caicos governor appoints Commission of Enquiry"] Caribbean Net News. 10 July 2008.  Retrieved 1 August 2008.</ref>

===Rape allegation===
On 7 January 2007, Misick called for [[2007 Turks and Caicos Islands general election|general elections]] on 9 February. The PNP won 13 of the 15 seats, making it one of the most lopsided election results in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
 
Misick was accused of [[rape|raping]] an American woman on 28 March 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Tim |last=Elfrink |date=12 May 2011 |title=Nikki Beach exec and Turks & Caicos leader accused in rape scandal |newspaper=Miami New Times |url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/nikki-beach-exec-and-turks-and-caicos-leader-accused-in-rape-scandal-6380880 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013193848/http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/nikki-beach-exec-and-turks-and-caicos-leader-accused-in-rape-scandal-6380880 |archive-date=13 October 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref>  The claim against Misick failed, and the woman subsequently brought proceedings against her employers in Florida.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tcweeklynews.com/premier-rape-claim-woman-sues-nikki-beach-p2381-1.htm |title=Premier rape claim woman sues Nikki Beach |newspaper=Turks & Caicos Weekly News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109105739/http://tcweeklynews.com/premier-rape-claim-woman-sues-nikki-beach-p2381-1.htm |archive-date=9 January 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref>

===Resignation===
On 15 December 2008 Misick was asked to step down by nine members of his party. Misick, who has denied any wrongdoing, resigned on 23 March 2009 after an investigation found "clear signs of corruption" in Turks and Caicos. The UK Foreign Office said it would suspend the constitution and give control to Governor [[Gordon Wetherell]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Kunal |last=Dutta |date=4 March 2009 |title=Turks and Caicos PM quits after corruption inquiry |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/turks-and-caicos-pm-quits-after-corruption-inquiry-1652674.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325063250/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/turks-and-caicos-pm-quits-after-corruption-inquiry-1652674.html |archive-date=25 March 2009 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref> The departure of the premier occurred a week earlier than expected.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110713120149/http://www.jonesbahamas.com/news/45/ARTICLE/19461/2009-03-24.html TCI Premier Resigns], ''The Bahama Journal'', published and accessed 24 March 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7960426.stm | work=BBC News | title=Turks and Caicos PM resigns early | date=23 March 2009 | accessdate=12 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2007-2009/turks-and-caicos-pm-quits-amid-corruption-probe.html |title=Turks and Caicos PM quits amid corruption probe |date=25 March 2009 |newspaper=Macau Daily Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213235029/http://macaudailytimes.com.mo/archive-2007-2009/turks-and-caicos-pm-quits-amid-corruption-probe.html |archive-date=13 February 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref> While the investigations were underway, Governor [[Gordon Wetherell]] suspended self-government in the islands on 16 August 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Susan |last=Barrington-binns |date=19 October 2009 |title=Turks and Caicos Islands: Report On The Partial Suspension Of The Constitution Of The Turks And Caicos Islands |publisher=Mondaq |url=http://www.mondaq.com/x/87622/Report+On+The+Partial+Suspension+Of+The+Constitution+Of+The+Turks+And+Caicos+Islands |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131222859/http://www.mondaq.com/x/87622/Report%2BOn%2BThe%2BPartial%2BSuspension%2BOf%2BThe%2BConstitution%2BOf%2BThe%2BTurks%2BAnd%2BCaicos%2BIslands |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy }}</ref>

In June 2011 Misick's assets were [[Asset freezing|frozen]] by a court order.<ref>{{cite web|last=Boyce|first=Hayden|title=Mike Misick's Assets Frozen World-Wide|url=http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=1793|work=www.suntci.com|publisher=Turks and Caicos Sun|accessdate=22 September 2011|date=4 July 2011|quote=The assets of Michael Misick, the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, have been frozen world-wide.|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327024500/http://www.suntci.com/index.php?p=story&id=1793|archivedate=27 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Digest of Asset Recovery Cases |url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/corruption/Publications/2015/15-05350_Ebook.pdf |access-date=2023-08-31}}</ref>  In September 2010 a report from the Turks and Caicos Islands 2008-9 Commission of Inquiry recommended criminal investigation of Misick of possible corruption and abuse of his former position.<ref>{{cite web|title=Commission report recommends eleven criminal investigations of Michael Misick|url=http://www.tcinewsnow.com/headline-Commission-report-recommends-eleven-criminal-investigations-of-Michael-Misick-4918.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402192904/http://www.tcinewsnow.com/headline-Commission-report-recommends-eleven-criminal-investigations-of-Michael-Misick-4918.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=2 April 2012|work=www.tcinewsnow.com|publisher=TCI News Now!|accessdate=22 September 2011|date=12 September 2011}}</ref> the end

===Arrest and trial===
{{update|date=April 2020}}<!-- what was the outcome of the trial in the end? -->
On 7 December 2012, Michael Misick was arrested at [[Santos Dumont Airport]], [[Rio de Janeiro]], Brazil, after being located by [[Interpol]]. He was arrested while trying to leave for [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{Cite news|title=Turks and Caicos ex-premier arrested|newspaper=Financial Times |date=7 December 2012 |url=https://www.ft.com/content/ff6db922-40a6-11e2-8f90-00144feabdc0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/ff6db922-40a6-11e2-8f90-00144feabdc0 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-status=live |accessdate=9 December 2012 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press |title=Missing Turks and Caicos ex-premier arrested in Brazil for corruption |date=7 December 2012 |publisher=Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/missing-turks-and-caicos-ex-premier-arrested-in-brazil-for-corruption |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131213103/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/07/missing-turks-and-caicos-ex-premier-arrested-in-brazil-for-corruption.html |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref> The arrest warrant was issued by Minister [[Ricardo Lewandowski]] of the [[Supreme Federal Court]] of Brazil on 22 November, at the request of the government of the United Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Felipe |last=Martins |title=Ex-premiê de ilhas caribenhas, foragido internacional é preso no Rio de Janeiro |newspaper=[[Universo Online]] (UOL) |date=7 December 2012 |url=http://noticias.uol.com.br/internacional/ultimas-noticias/2012/12/07/ex-premie-de-ilhas-caribenhas-foragido-internacional-e-preso-no-rio-de-janeiro.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210132823/http://noticias.uol.com.br/internacional/ultimas-noticias/2012/12/07/ex-premie-de-ilhas-caribenhas-foragido-internacional-e-preso-no-rio-de-janeiro.htm |archive-date=10 December 2012 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref>

He was returned to Turks and Caicos on 7 January 2014 where he was questioned at the capital's police headquarters. He was briefly remanded at Her Majesty’s [[Prison Grand Turk]] before being released on bail on 13 January 2014 ahead of his trial. He was charged with conspiracy to receive bribes, conspiracy to defraud the government and money laundering.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick Released on Bail |newspaper=Atlanta Black Star |date=16 January 2014 |url=http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/01/16/former-turks-caicos-premier-michael-misick-released-bail/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118111039/http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/01/16/former-turks-caicos-premier-michael-misick-released-bail/ |archive-date=18 January 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}, republished from the ''Jamaica Observer''.</ref> His much-delayed trial began on 18 January 2016, and was still on-going a year later.<ref>{{Cite news|title=SIPT prosecutor cutting back about 68 witnesses |date=30 January 2017 |newspaper=Turks & Caicos Sun |url=http://suntci.com/sipt-prosecutor-cutting-back-about-witnesses-p2598-106.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131210354/http://suntci.com/sipt-prosecutor-cutting-back-about-witnesses-p2598-106.htm |archive-date=31 January 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Hayden |last=Boyce |date=6 February 2017 |title=Mike Misick's Lead Lawyer Resigns from Corruption Trial |newspaper=Turks & Caicos Sun |url=http://suntci.com/mike-misicks-lead-lawyer-resigns-from-corruption-trial-p2592-106.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213232615/http://suntci.com/mike-misicks-lead-lawyer-resigns-from-corruption-trial-p2592-106.htm |archive-date=13 February 2017 |url-status=live |df=dmy}}</ref> The trial was continuing in 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ieyenews.com/tci-michael-misick-trial-defence-calls-for-end-of-trial/|title=TCI Michael Misick trial: Defence calls for end of trial|date=22 January 2019}}</ref> and 2020 until the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] resulted in another postponement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tcweeklynews.com/corruption-trial-suspended-due-to-covid-threat-p10465-127.htm|title = Corruption trial suspended due to COVID-19 threat}}</ref>

He is now set to stand trial commencing December 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tcweeklynews.com/last-sipt-trial-starts-this-december-p14283-155.htm| title=Corruption trial against former TCI premier Michael Misick to begin in December | date=14 September 2024 }}</ref>

===Political comeback attempt===
In December 2016, Misick stood as an at-large candidate in the general elections in Turks and Caicos Island as an independent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/americas/21711741-islands-voters-should-think-carefully-about-what-they-wish-former-premier-trial|title=A former premier on trial for corruption seeks to make a comeback|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=14 December 2016|accessdate=21 June 2017}}</ref>  However, he received only 5.57% of the vote and was not elected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caribbeanelections.com/tc/elections/tc_results_2016.asp|title=Turks & Caicos election centre 2016|accessdate=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222111814/http://www.caribbeanelections.com/tc/elections/tc_results_2016.asp|archive-date=22 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Derek Hugh Taylor]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]|years=2003–2006}}
{{s-aft|after=Position abolished}}
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{{s-bef|before=New position}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]|years=2006–2009}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Galmo Williams]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Turks and Caicos PMs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Misick, Michael}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Buckingham]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]
[[Category:Heads of government who were later imprisoned]]
[[Category:Premiers of the Turks and Caicos Islands]]
[[Category:Progressive National Party (Turks and Caicos Islands) politicians]]
[[Category:Turks and Caicos Islands Christians]]