Carib Scope

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  • Jamaica add three medals at Carifta Games

    Jamaica add three medals at Carifta Games

    ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA — The 53rd edition of the Carifta Games, hosted at Grenada’s Kirani James Athletic Stadium, saw Jamaica solidify its dominant position in the tournament on Monday, adding three more medals — two gold and one silver — to its growing tally during the penultimate competition session of the event.

    For the second consecutive day, wet weather forced delays to the competition schedule, but poor conditions did not slow Jamaica’s top young athletes. Two standout performances delivered gold for the delegation: Zavien Bernard claimed top honors in the girls’ Under-20 high jump, and Shamanda Wilmot secured first place in the girls’ Under-17 javelin throw. Talshawn Edwards added a silver to the country’s day total with a strong performance in the boys’ Under-17 long jump.

    With only one final competition session remaining, Jamaica is on track to secure another overall tournament victory, holding a substantial lead in the overall medal table. The Caribbean nation has already collected 47 total medals, split evenly between 17 gold and 17 silver, with an additional 13 bronze medals.

    Trinidad and Tobago holds the second position in the overall rankings with 26 total medals: seven gold, nine silver, and 10 bronze. The Bahamas follows in third with 19 total medals, including six gold, eight silver, and five bronze. Guyana sits in fourth place, having earned five medals (three gold, one silver, one bronze), while Barbados rounds out the top five with nine total medals: two gold, two silver, and five bronze.

    For Bernard, Monday’s gold medal marked a personal redemption after underwhelming results in the long jump and triple jump events earlier in the competition. The young athlete, who won the Under-17 high jump gold at the Carifta Games two years ago, matched her 2024 season best clearance of 1.78 meters to take the top spot on the podium. Jah’kyla Morton of the British Virgin Islands took home silver, breaking her country’s national record with a 1.76-meter clearance, while Alexandria Komolafe of Curaçao claimed bronze with a 1.70-meter jump.

    Wilmot’s gold medal win was one of the most dramatic moments of the day. Trailing defending champion Zonique Charles of Antigua and Barbuda heading into the final round of the competition, Wilmot threw a new personal best of 46.39 meters, surpassing Charles’ previous leading throw of 46.27 meters to claim first place. Niaviv Matrona earned Curaçao its second bronze medal of the session with a throw of 41.52 meters.

    Edwards continued his strong run of individual results at the tournament, adding a silver in the long jump to the silver he earned in the triple jump on Sunday. The Jamaican athlete posted a best jump of 6.71 meters, finishing second behind leader Michal Paul of Trinidad and Tobago, who secured gold with a 6.93-meter jump in the opening round. Randal Monroe of St Lucia took bronze with a 6.60-meter jump.

    Beyond the medal events completed on Monday morning, Jamaica also advanced two athletes to the final of each of the three sprint hurdles preliminary competitions held during the session. Macaela Gordon (13.45 seconds) and Tashana Godfrey (13.51 seconds) led qualifying for the girls’ Under-17 sprint hurdles. In the girls’ Under-20 100m hurdles, Tiana Marshall (13.40 seconds) and Akeelah Bell (13.62 seconds) posted the fastest qualifying times to advance. For the boys’ Under-20 110m hurdles, Romario Jibbison (13.76 seconds) and Robert Miller (13.70 seconds) both earned spots in the afternoon final.

  • Junelle Bromfield and Noah Lyles tie the knot

    Junelle Bromfield and Noah Lyles tie the knot

    Two of track and field’s biggest names have stepped into a new chapter of life together: Jamaican Olympic sprinter Junelle Bromfield and American sprint star Noah Lyles exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in a heartfelt ceremony held at The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge, located in Trenton, Georgia. The couple designed their big day around the theme “All Shades Melanin”, a celebration of Black identity that wove together their distinct cultural backgrounds into a single, joyful experience.

    In an exclusive interview with Vogue, Lyles opened up about the most emotional moments of the afternoon, recalling that he had braced himself for tears ahead of the service but could not pinpoint when the wave of emotion would hit. “I already knew I was gonna cry, I just didn’t know when,” Lyles shared. “But when Junelle read the title of her vows, I was like, ‘Oh, yep, this is the part. This is when I cry’. Her hands shook so much that she couldn’t hold the vow book, so I ended up holding it for her. But I was also crying, so I couldn’t wipe away my own tears. It was a super magical moment.”

    For Bromfield, the day lived up to every expectation she had held, bringing together family, friends and loved ones from both Jamaica and the United States. The Olympian joked that guests left with an unexpected story: instead of walking slowly down the aisle as tradition dictates, she ran toward her future husband. “I heard I didn’t walk down the aisle. I heard that I ran,” Bromfield said. “It was definitely a ceremony of unity. It was just amazing to see the different cultures mesh into one. Everybody was having fun, interacting and filled with love.”

    Following the formal ceremony, guests gathered for a lively reception that included a special surprise performance from celebrated gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard, capping off a day filled with laughter, tears and abundant joy for the newlyweds.

  • Fabolous makes triumphant return to Jamaica at Vacae Weekend 2026

    Fabolous makes triumphant return to Jamaica at Vacae Weekend 2026

    OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA — After 14 years away from Jamaican performance stages, Brooklyn-bred international hip-hop icon Fabolous captivated a packed crowd Sunday night at Plantation Cove, headlining the highly anticipated Risqué late-night showcase, a flagship attraction of 2026’s Vacae Weekend.

    For attendees and event organizers alike, the rapper’s long-awaited homecoming to the island carried special weight: his last show in Jamaica took place all the way back in 2012, and months of growing hype preceded his eagerly anticipated entrance to the stage.

    Fabolous exceeded every expectation, bringing nonstop high energy to a set that pulled the biggest chart-topping hits from across his decades-long career. Fans sang out every word to beloved fan favorites including *Into You*, *Make Me Better*, *You Be Killin Em*, and *Shawty is a 10*, never letting their momentum fade from the opening note to the final encore.

    The electric chemistry between the headliner and the audience was visible from the second he stepped into the spotlight. Continuous crowd engagement and collective sing-alongs turned his set into one of the most memorable standout moments of the entire Vacae Weekend lineup.

    “Pulling off Fabolous’ return to Jamaica after more than a decade is a huge milestone for our team,” shared David Mattie, a representative for the event. “The overwhelming crowd response made it clear that his music still strikes a deep chord with Jamaican audiences, and it brought an unmatched, special energy to this year’s Risqué event.”

    Famed for its upscale atmosphere and premium late-night entertainment, the Risqué showcase lived up to its reputation once again in 2026. The event blended A-list international talent, dynamic sets from top DJs, and a style-forward audience to craft an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance.

  • Woman gives birth on flight from Kingston to New York

    Woman gives birth on flight from Kingston to New York

    On a routine Saturday flight bound from Kingston, Jamaica to New York City, an unexpected life event transformed an ordinary commercial journey into an unforgettable story of quick thinking and compassionate care. Caribbean Airlines flight BW005, a Boeing 737 Max 8 operating the international route, saw a passenger go into unexpected labour thousands of feet above the Atlantic Ocean, forcing the crew and air traffic controllers to adjust their plans rapidly.

    When the passenger’s labour accelerated faster than expected, trained cabin crew immediately stepped in to provide emergency assistance, creating a makeshift birthing space in the aircraft cabin to support the mother through delivery. Recognizing the urgency of the mid-flight medical situation, air traffic control rushed to grant the jet priority clearance for a direct, expedited approach to John F. Kennedy International Airport, the flight’s original destination. Emergency medical teams were prepped and standing by at the airport gate before the plane even touched down, ready to provide immediate advanced care as soon as the aircraft landed.

    But despite the coordinated rush to get the plane on the ground as quickly as possible, the baby arrived safely before the jet could reach the runway. Recorded air traffic control audio, first circulated by international media outlets, captured the lighthearted exchange between ground controllers and the flight’s cockpit crew after delivery was complete. When a ground controller asked the pilot “Caribbean five, ground. Is it out yet?”, the pilot confirmed the happy news with a simple “Yes, sir.” The controller responded with a playful suggestion: “Alright, tell her she’s gotta name it Kennedy,” a nod to the airport the flight was approaching.

    Following a safe landing, both the new mother and her newborn were transferred to waiting medical personnel for routine post-birth checkups and assessment, and both are reported to be in good health. In an official statement following the incident, Caribbean Airlines confirmed the details of the mid-air delivery, noting that the situation was handled as a standard medical diversion and never required a formal emergency declaration that would have impacted flight operations more broadly. The airline went on to praise its cabin crew for their calm, professional response under pressure, highlighting that the team prioritized both the needs of the birthing mother and the comfort and safety of all other passengers onboard the flight throughout the incident.

  • From Meadowbrook High, SoChill goes global

    From Meadowbrook High, SoChill goes global

    KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Few entrepreneurial success stories grow as organically as that of SoChill Clothing, the Jamaican apparel brand that emerged from a casual daily hangout among high school basketball teammates more than a decade ago. What began as a casual idea dreamed up under a tree by friends from Meadowbrook High School’s basketball team in St. Andrew in 2011 has expanded into a global lifestyle label, with its co-founder predicting major long-term influence on the international fashion market.

  • Carifta 2026: Douglas anchors U20 girls to sprint relay gold, Jamaica dominate medal table

    Carifta 2026: Douglas anchors U20 girls to sprint relay gold, Jamaica dominate medal table

    The 53rd edition of the Carifta Games, one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious youth track and field competitions, entered its second day of competition on Sunday at the purpose-built Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St George’s, Grenada, delivering a mix of triumph and disappointment for pre-event favorite Jamaica across the day’s sprint relay finals. Of the four sprint relay gold medals up for grabs on the day, Jamaica claimed only one victory, secured by its dynamic women’s Under-20 quartet. The team, composed of Renecia Edwards, Tiana Marshall, and 100m medalists Natrece East and Shanoya Douglas, crossed the finish line in a solid time of 43.76 seconds, outpacing second-place Trinidad and Tobago (44.17 seconds) and third-place Barbados (45.40 seconds) to claim the top spot on the podium.

    Jamaica’s other relay teams did not manage to replicate that gold-medal success: both the girls’ Under-17 and boys’ Under-20 squads earned hard-fought silver medals, while the boys’ Under-17 team was forced to retire from the race after a dropped baton derailed their second exchange, ending their bid for a medal before the final handoff.

    Even with the underwhelming relay performance, Jamaica entered Monday’s final day of competition with an unchallenged lead atop the overall medal table, boasting a total haul of 43 medals split between 15 gold, 16 silver, and 12 bronze. Defending its top spot from previous editions, Jamaica holds a comfortable lead over second-place Trinidad and Tobago, which has collected 25 total medals (7 gold, 9 silver, 9 bronze). The Bahamas sit third in the standings with 21 medals: 6 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze. Rounding out the top five competing nations, Guyana holds fourth place with 3 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze for a total of 5 medals, while host nation Grenada sits fifth with 2 gold, 2 silver, and 6 bronze for a 10-medal total.

    Sunday’s competition also delivered a string of standout individual performances from Jamaican athletes, even outside the relay track. Earlier in the day, Jamaican hurdlers completed a historic clean sweep, taking home all four gold medals on offer in the 400m hurdles events across age and gender categories. One of the day’s most impressive individual wins came from teenage distance runner Javaughn Tomlin, who claimed his second gold medal of the Games by taking first place in the Under-17 boys’ 3000m, adding to the 1500m title he won on Saturday. Tomlin took control of the race from the opening laps, pulling ahead of the pack early and maintaining his lead through the final stretch to win comfortably in a time of 9:12.49. Bermuda’s Sanchez Smith took silver with 9:22.24, while Barbados’ Zindzele Renwick-Williams claimed bronze in 9:26.95.

    In other individual results, Jamaica’s Sushana Johnson secured third place in the open women’s 3000m with a time of 10:26.90, finishing behind gold medalist Aniqah Bailey of Trinidad and Tobago (10:14.10) and silver medalist Laila McIntyre of Barbados (10:15.61). In the men’s decathlon, Jaquan Souden improved on his fourth-place finish from the 2023 Carifta Games to take silver, tallying a total of 6,760 points. Gold went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Tyrique Vincent, who finished with 6,824 points, while Vincent’s teammate Kaleb Campbell took bronze with 6,598 points.

    In the Under-20 men’s high jump, Jamaica’s Michael Neil claimed third place after clearing 2.00m — the same height reached by gold medalist David Hall of Turks and Caicos and silver medalist Joshua Williams of the Bahamas. Finally, in the Under-17 girls’ long jump, Dashanelle Clarke of Jamaica took third place with a jump of 5.54m. The gold medal went to defending champion Jazae Johnson of the Bahamas, who retained her title with a leading jump of 6.02m, while Johnson’s teammate took home silver with a 5.70m jump.

  • Armanii delivers at Pic-Nic Beach Club

    Armanii delivers at Pic-Nic Beach Club

    OCHO RIOS, St. Ann — As Vacae Weekend 2026’s momentum continues to build across the Jamaican resort town, Saturday’s Pic-Nic Beach Club delivered a standout daytime experience that lived up to its growing reputation as a fan-favorite staple of the annual Easter entertainment series. Held at the scenic, sun-drenched Plantation Cove venue, organizers transformed the coastal space into a sweeping ocean of pastel pink, leaning into the event’s iconic aesthetic with immersive, elaborate decor that created one of the most visually memorable moments of the weekend so far.

    Long before the headline performance, the air hummed with electric anticipation as a stylish, energetic crowd filtered into the venue, ready to embrace the laid-back yet high-vibe lifestyle-focused gathering. Attendees were treated to a full roster of premium amenities, including signature pours from Appleton Estate and a wide selection of curated dishes from local food vendors. Top-tier DJs including Fyahman, Chromatic, and Kryptic kept energy levels elevated through the afternoon with a steady stream of genre-spanning tracks that kept the crowd moving.

    The clear highlight of the day came when rising dancehall star Armanii stepped onto the stage, instantly forging a connection with the packed audience. He ran through a dynamic set of his most popular tracks, many of which struck a particular chord with the large contingent of female attendees who made up the core of the event’s crowd.

    In comments following his performance, Armanii expressed sincere gratitude for the warm, enthusiastic reception he received. “The vibes from the crowd were amazing,” he shared. “From the moment I stepped on stage, the energy was there. The ladies showed up and showed out, and that made the performance even better.”

    For event organizers, the overwhelmingly positive response to this year’s Pic-Nic Beach Club confirms the event’s enduring and important place on the Vacae Weekend lineup. “Pic-Nic is all about the experience — the visuals, the energy, the crowd — and this year we really saw that come together,” said Franz Kentish, lead organizer for the event. “This year we went crazy with the décor, we went deep into the Pic-Nic experience, and the fans loved it. So we are grateful for that.”

    With its unwavering commitment to its signature pink theme, standout musical bookings, and consistent ability to draw an engaged, lively crowd, Pic-Nic has cemented its status as one of the defining events of the entire Vacae Weekend series. The annual celebration is far from over, however: upcoming signature experiences include the highly anticipated Estate All-White Soiree, Risqué, and the festival’s grand finale, Sandz Caribbean Music Festival. For the duration of the Easter holiday weekend, Ocho Rios remains the undisputed epicenter of Jamaican entertainment.

  • Popeye Caution building with Freshadan

    Popeye Caution building with Freshadan

    A Jamaica-born, US-based recording artist Popeye Caution, born Marlon Reid, has launched his latest dancehall single *Freshadan* to kick off what he hopes will be a landmark period of growth for his career. Produced by Khalfani, the new track officially hit streaming platforms on March 25, and the early reception from fans has already exceeded the artist’s expectations.

    In an exclusive interview with Jamaica Observer, Popeye Caution shared his excitement about the response to the new release. “The feedback has been positive so far. A lot of people have connected with the vibe, which means a lot to me. I’m definitely pleased with how it’s being received, but I also see it as motivation to keep improving and building on this momentum,” he explained.

    A veteran of the professional recording industry since launching his career in 2010, Popeye Caution first built his reputation through high-profile collaborative projects, including fan-favorite tracks *Bezerk* and *Good Ting Dem*, which features celebrated dancehall artist Ding Dong. Now, with the release of *Freshadan*, the artist is setting his sights on expanding his reach far beyond his existing fanbase.

    While he has outlined ambitious goals for the track, Popeye Caution says long-term cultural impact matters more to him than commercial chart performance. “Ultimately, I hope to see it as a worldwide dancehall hit, but the impact is what matters most,” he said.

    Looking ahead to the rest of 2024 and beyond, the artist has laid out a clear strategic plan to advance his career, with consistency and fan connection at its core. “This year my goal is to stay consistent with releasing music and to grow my audience. I want to collaborate more, build a stronger connection with listeners, and perform live when possible, and to be the next breakout artiste in 2026,” he said.

    The deejay also offered a preview of what fans can expect in the coming months. He is currently working on a new collaborative project with a group of talented artists based in Belgium, and he is already confirmed to take the stage at one of Miami’s biggest annual live music events, the *Best of the Best* concert, this coming May.

  • ‘I’m no snitch’

    ‘I’m no snitch’

    MONTEGO BAY, St James — A New York man charged with smuggling a large shipment of cannabis into Jamaica via Sangster International Airport has been ordered to pay thousands in fines by the St James Parish Court this Wednesday, closing a high-profile border contraband case that exposes gaps in cross-border cannabis movement amid partial legalization in both the U.S. and the Caribbean nation.

    Shaquel Morales, a resident of Queens, New York, faced four criminal charges: possession of cannabis (ganja), trafficking in ganja, illegal importation of ganja, and making a false declaration on immigration documentation. A separate conspiracy charge was ultimately dropped after prosecutors presented no supporting evidence. Morales was represented by local Jamaican defense attorney Martyn Thomas.

    Court documents and law enforcement reports outline the timeline of the incident, which unfolded around 10:30 a.m. on March 26. Acting on a tip, members of Jamaica’s law enforcement command were waiting in the Customs contraband search area when Morales exited an incoming flight from Miami, Florida, to undergo routine screening by a Jamaica Customs Agency contraband enforcement officer.

    During a preliminary search of Morales’ checked grey hard-shell suitcase, officers detected multiple tightly wrapped packages that field testing confirmed were cannabis. After being formally cautioned that unlicensed cannabis importation is a criminal offense under Jamaican law, Morales was moved to a secured secondary search facility for full evidence processing.

    At the secondary facility, Morales first told investigators he resided in Queens, New York, and provided the name of a local Jamaican hotel as his intended accommodation. When investigators cross-checked the information, they discovered the hotel he named had not operated in Jamaica for a number of years, and Morales could not produce any proof of a reservation. Further review of his mandatory C5 immigration declaration form showed he had listed the same defunct hotel as his Jamaican address, plus an Atlanta, Georgia residential address that did not match the Queens address he provided to officers — flags that confirmed investigators’ suspicions of a false declaration.

    When investigators confronted Morales about the non-existent hotel, he changed his account to claim a cousin would send someone to meet him at the airport, but he refused to provide his cousin’s full name or contact information. When pressed about who the shipment of cannabis was intended for, Morales famously told investigators, “I’m no snitch.” When asked who was scheduled to take him from the airport to his accommodation, he deflected again, responding, “It is mine, why you need to get a cab driver?” After that exchange, Morales declined to answer any additional questioning and invoked his right to have legal counsel present for further interrogation.

    A full forensic search of the suitcase uncovered 12 vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, totaling approximately 14 pounds of the controlled substance, which were logged into evidence by investigators. Morales was taken into custody and transferred to the Montego Bay Police Station to await processing. During a formal interview on March 28 held with his defense attorney present, Morales entered a plea of not guilty to all charges laid against him.

    In his mitigation argument to the court, defense attorney Martyn Thomas painted Morales as a first-time offender who was misled by his family member. Thomas told the court that Morales traveled to Jamaica for a planned spring break trip, and his cousin — who operates a licensed cannabis dispensary in Jamaica and does business with a second dispensary based in Atlanta — asked Morales to transport the cannabis shipment from Atlanta to Jamaica for sale at the cousin’s dispensary. Thomas argued that Morales believed all required import permits had been secured by his cousin, and he was told clearing Jamaican customs with the cannabis would not present any problems.

    Thomas also addressed the false declaration charge, explaining that Morales completed his electronic C5 declaration mid-flight after realizing he had forgotten to fill it out ahead of time. With no confirmed accommodation arranged (his cousin was supposed to handle that, Thomas said), Morales entered the address of a Jamaican resort he had stayed at during a previous visit, with no intent to actually stay there. It was an impulsive, careless mistake, not a deliberate attempt to deceive, Thomas argued.

    On the claim that Morales entered the customs red channel (for travelers declaring goods), court clerks confirmed there was no record of Morales declaring the cannabis on any of his entry documentation. Thomas further emphasized that his client admitted he made a mistake, had no prior criminal convictions in either the U.S. or Jamaica, and posed no public safety risk to Jamaican communities. He requested the court hand down a non-custodial sentence rather than prison time.

    Before announcing sentencing, Parish Court Judge acknowledged that both the United States and Jamaica allow licensed medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries, but reminded Morales that cross-border importation still requires formal approval, regardless of domestic legal status. The judge also called out Morales’ “I’m no snitch” comment, noting that the phrase is widely associated with organized criminal activity and that Morales could have simply invoked his right to legal counsel instead of making the provocative statement.

    In the final sentencing, the court handed down four cumulative fines: $56,000 Jamaican dollars for possession of ganja (with 30 days prison in default of payment), $112,000 Jamaican dollars for dealing in ganja (30 days default), $112,000 Jamaican dollars for illegal importation of ganja (three months default), and $20,000 Jamaican dollars for making a false declaration (30 days default). The conspiracy charge against Morales was dismissed for lack of evidence.

  • ‘JACDEN hasn’t broken any law’

    ‘JACDEN hasn’t broken any law’

    Jamaica’s Opposition Leader and President of the People’s National Party (PNP) Mark Golding has announced that Dennis Gordon, head of private medical firm JACDEN Limited and a sitting PNP Member of Parliament, will step down immediately from his roles on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Shadow Cabinet, pending the outcome of ongoing investigations into a controversial tax exemption scheme tied to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI).

    In an official statement released Sunday, Golding clarified that based on all evidence currently provided to him, no concrete evidence has emerged to prove that JACDEN or Gordon violated any existing Jamaican laws. He also acknowledged that JACDEN’s dialysis equipment currently delivers critical, life-sustaining care to Jamaican patients dealing with renal disease at price points below the current market average. Even so, Golding emphasized that the unfolding controversy comes on the heels of a damning Auditor General’s Department (AGD) report that uncovered widespread maladministration at UHWI, making a proactive stance on accountability non-negotiable for his party.

    “Our party has always made a public commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity in public office, and we must consistently demonstrate that commitment. All of our parliamentarians and senators have signed on to the Leadership Code of Conduct, and we owe it to the Jamaican public to respect the spirit of that agreement,” Golding said. “Jamaica currently faces a crisis of weak accountability standards in public life, and we must act to prove that we hold ourselves to a higher bar, regardless of the lack of proven wrongdoing at this stage.”

    Per Golding, Gordon has already voluntarily recused himself from all PAC proceedings related to this investigation, and the PNP’s internal integrity commission will launch a full independent review of the matter before issuing formal recommendations to the party leadership.

    The controversy stems from an AGD audit report tabled in Jamaica’s Parliament earlier this year, which revealed that UHWI misused its official tax-exempt status to facilitate imports for four private companies, resulting in a total loss of roughly J$23.1 million in unpaid customs duties. The audit documented that customs declarations listed goods including office furniture, laundry equipment, and medical devices as hospital property, but UHWI inventory records confirmed the items were actually transferred to the private firms. The AGD noted that this misrepresentation violates Jamaica’s Customs Act, an offense that carries potential fines or criminal prosecution for involved parties. Following the release of the redacted report, UHWI officially named the four private entities as Supreme Laundry Services, Willman Sales, Scientific Medical Services, and JACDEN Limited.

    In his first extensive media interview on the scandal with the *Jamaica Observer* over the weekend, Gordon, who represents the St Andrew East Central constituency, pushed back against growing calls for his permanent resignation. He dismissed allegations that he defrauded the Jamaican state out of millions of dollars by exploiting UHWI’s tax-exempt status for JACDEN’s benefit as politically motivated. Gordon admitted that UHWI did process a dialysis machine shipment through customs for his company, but confirmed JACDEN has already paid all outstanding duties owed, and stressed that neither he nor the company have been found guilty of corruption or any criminal offense related to the incident.