What can drive a man to display so much hate towards a country that so many people love and pay hundreds of dollars to visit each day?

Harald Fuhrmann is a German investor who has flooded the Internet with websites such as this one: http://www.focusbahamas.net.tc/ in an effort to discourage visitors from coming to the Bahamas. He accuses Bahamian lawyers and even the Bahamas Bar Association of corruption. Also he accuses the Bahamian "Mafia" (whatever that is) of controling our legal system. He claims to have lost thousands of dollars because of the our legal system and that the Bahamas is “America's Bad Neighbour”. In this mans eyes our entire legal system appears to be an “Axis of Evilxis of Evil”.

I have my own views about Mr. Fuhrmann but I would like to hear yours first.
Please post your feelings on this issue here.

There have been two sets of people badmouthing the Bahamas, from what I can remember. One is to do with a dock and the other was to do with an alleged bodily attack on Cat Island.

Which one is this guy? I could check out the websites, but it's quicker to ask you, Delroy, as you've already done the ground work!

I doubt whether anyone is taking him seriously though. The Bahamas has too many friends around the world, who love our sun, sea, beautiful beaches and mostly happy, friendly people.

Fay

So far I haven't found anyone else that I can link directly to this campaign except for Mr. Fuhrmann himself.

Justice needs light???

Why do I have a eight year wrangle with local lawyers over what I claim is their mishandling of my property dispute? In the meantime my damage raised up to 480 000 $. The Bahamas legal profession and in addition the government have turned deaf ears to my plight. In complaints to the Bahamas Bar Association, I have cited instances of alleged inefficiency and tardiness by certain lawyers. It seems to me that some Bahamian lawyers delay action on cases involving foreign investors because they feel they will eventually get fed up and go away. In letters to both Prime Minister Perry Christie and Attorney General Alfred Sears, I urge greater concern for public rights and accuse lawyers of "ignorance" in their dealings with foreigners. I am frustrated but not the kind of man who goes away and I am still waiting for answers. It was unfortunatelly necessary to publish a few websites in order to spotlight the advantages and disadvantages of investing in The Bahamas. Today I reminded Prime Minister Perry Christie once again by email. Yesterday my Bahamas dispute was shown in the European RTL2 programme which could have been seen from Scandinavia to Southern Spain by up to 15 million. Justice needs light? See also my homepage www.mybahamas.net.tc. Who cannot agree? And why not?
>Bahamas Consult - Harald Fuhrmann
>22th of January 2003

Bahamas Writer,
WHO DON´T YOU WANT TO TAKE ANYBODY SERIOUS?

I had a feeling who you were when you registered on my site.
This kind of action that you are taking will get no results but hate towards yourself from Bahamians and other investors in this country.

Lets talk.
I can try to assist you but first you must stop the bad mouthing of my country and take down your sites.

Mr Fuhrmann,

I am a Bahamian.
How do you expect me or any other Bahamian to feel about this situation?
Why dont you explain this matter fully for all of our members here so that we can better understand your problem.
Don't give us links to your websites because the messages there will only offend us before we can understand what really happened in your case.

You can create a new thread or post a reply in this one.

I understand that Mr. Fuhrmann may sound offensive to those who do not understand what he has been through. I do understand. Mr. Fuhrmann does not hate the Bahamas or Bahamians. He married a Bahamian woman and chose to make his life here. He purchased property here and ran into problems with people trying to "swindle" him. He took the matter to court but instead of having his property rights restored he encountered sneaky backhanded connections, corrupt lawyers who transferred the title of his property to their own names rather than his, delayed court dates and threats against his safety and his property.

When he brought these things to the attention of those "in authority" such as the Bar Association he was brushed off. He has lost nearly a half million dollars, and still, after eight years has not resolved his property issues. Now he resides in Germany and must fly back and forth for court appearances which is financially stressful to him.

Who wouldn't be frustrated and angry over all that? It's easy to understand how he could develop such a negative view towards a country where he has experienced so much injustice and distress. Instead of researching the situation (which I am pleased to see you doing) or showing sympathy, most Bahamians berate him because they are concerned about the effect all this has on tourism. Instead, they should try to assist him in resolving the matter in an equitable manner. That is the only Christian thing to do.

The whole situation is very similar to what has happened to me. And it is no coincidence that I am being victimised by the same groups. This has resulted in many distressing experiences with the Bahamian legal system. My previous posts go into more detail about my own experiences. It is no secret that things must change. It is no secret that our beautiful country is very prone to corruption. I am a Bahamian, I love this country as much as anyone else. This is my country but I can also see the evil here. That is not being negative, it is realistic and it is necessary to realise that, if things are ever to change. If you had a child who was addicted to drugs, wouldn't you still love the child. Absolutely you would, if you are a good parent. But if you are a good parent you would also recognise the wrong in the child and do what you could to correct those wrongs.

The legal system here is sluggish, inefficient, stinking of corruption and often, incapable of producing justice due to blatant incompetence. Yes, we have beautiful shores with sun-kissed sand and pure azure waters. We have wonderful, friendly people and so much potential in so many areas. But we also have our problems, and ignoring them won't make them disappear or get any better. We have to route out the evil in our society. Look at our crime rate, look at our courts, look at our leaders... there is a lot that needs to be done to clean this country up.

I hope that you are not reading this thinking "what a negative message" but rather thinking about what part you could play in improving this country. Let's not be offended by harsh words from people like Mr. Fuhrmann, let's instead look at what our country has done to offend him causing him to take this harsh approach. Isn't that what the BIble tells us to do?

Lisa Wells
www.bahamasb2b.com (http://www.bahamasb2b.com)

Lisa,

Obviously this man has a problem but that still does not justify him striking back at the entire country. If he has a beef with the Bahamas Bar Association and Bahamian lawyers then he should fight them and not the entire country. His attack at the tourist economy of the Bahamas shows his intent to hurt us All. If thats not hate then what is?

I understand him being hurt by his lost but must you hurt the innocent?
That is not the Christian thing to do.

Delroy,

It actually seems that there must have been some issue that has disturbed Mr. Fuhrmann, if he is diligent and such the man that he is he would accept his losses (if there are any) and continue with his life. As it seems there might have been some bad occurance, but he cannot allow that to change his views on the way that he feels about the best destination in the world. If you Mr. Fuhrmann know that.

There are indeed certain ways in dealing with situations. However, callin names to badmouth a nation are actual leagal grounds for a law suit. So you should be very careful about the tales that you are publicizing.

Try talking to someone about your problems who can help...

It seems that if it goes as he says that he is a very frustrated individual who is at the end of his rope on this matter.

The usual avenues that would work in a non-corrupt society, i.e. the court system have not helped him at all apparently, so now all he can do is try to draw attention to his situation.

Now, if the lawyers, politicians and ministers would not assist him before, they would surely at least notice the problem when millions of people watch it, read about it and comment on it WORLD-WIDE.

We as Bahamians too like hide and talk... if he was treated as he says he was then we should be talking about how we can help him or expose this sort of injustice and PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN instead of about how he should not berate our country. What if it happened to you.... tink bout dat...

RIGHT DEALING WITH TOURISTS AND FOREIGN INVESTORS?
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I complain for instance that concerning a case against his brother in law was an unnecessary delay, an increase of costs due to letters, faxes and calls hardly have been answered by my lawyer. And once I arrived in Nassau from Germany I even was told that a hearing at the Surpreme Court was adjourned. Minutes before a hearing at another time I have been informed that a new law firm would deal with my case whereas I met my lawyer still in his office.
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Finally the judge claimed that witnesses have not been filed and he would have received a „bunch of invoices“ – some even not properly translated. I wonder why the judge does not have any evidence whereas almost 5000 $ for two damage assessments have been payed. And why were my lawyers not admonished in order to be able to come to a right decision? Why is it so easy in The Bahamas to earn sufficient money for a insufficient job
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In addition I have to point out that I was never before so bad and thightlipped represented at a court than in The Bahamas. And hardly I claimed the professional job of a lawyer and sent a official complaint to the Ethics Committee my lawyer did not continue to represent or to talk with me anymore but afterwards a bill of 33,000.00 $ was issued whereas my lawyer knew from the very beginning that I was not willing to through good money behind bad money. In addition my house almost went for auction as a result that my lawyer sued me.
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As a result of my experiences I recommend a survey about Bahamian lawyers.I also have been treated by the Ethics Committee with utter contempt and almost not even given the courtesy of reply. I guess my complaint should have been transferred without delay and since years to the Disciplinary Tribunal because considering the Legal Profession Act,1992, section II, the Bar Council has to take care about the encouragement of legal education, the promotion of standards of etiquettes and professional conducts of the member of the Bar. Furthermore the Bar is obliged to protect the public right of access to the courts and – of course – the member of the Bar should represent their clients professional before the courts.
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If the only effectfull recommendation by the Bar is to change the lawyer than you cannot respect the professional competence of the Bar. And even the members won’t respect the own association either. It is necessary for all Bahamians and foreign investors as well that the lawyers consider the Legal Profession Act otherwise we cannot build a world-class society in The Bahamas giving world-class service. And Mr. Peter Maynard as the president of the Bar is obliged to give the public the clear evidence where his association stands in this society and which codes of ethic are relevant?
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I was recently shocked when I recognized that the Bar even could not find my file of the complaint. This is not badmouthing but somebody might have had a long arm to reach the file cabinet in the first floor or the whole building became infected with termites. But than call in the exterminators to deal with this problem soon. I hope that we do not have to loose the faith in the Bahamas Bar or the Attorney General who is also involved.
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I also just cannot understand that in my procedure I have hitherto neither seen a courtroom nor a judge with a wig. I have the feeling that at the county court a thief is given more public attention than a foreigner at the Supreme Court. I hardly find words in view of the moral humiliation I feel considering my damage of in the meantime more than $ 480,000.00 - even when I consulted the most different official institutions. As an example, and after various attempts to after all obtain an appointment, an insignificant conversation of just two minutes took place with former A/G Janet Bostwick.
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I experienced the same frustrating outcome of my report to Philip Miller whose Bahamas Investment Authority is directly subordinated to the Prime Minister, because - according to the director - an interference in legal affairs is not possible. Just change the attorney at law - was the terse answer. But my adventurous trip through the world of law did not stop after consulting a new lawyer!
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Some Bahamians are angry about me because I involved the media in Nassau and oversees and that I have begun to let the world know by internet what might happen if you invest money in the Bahamas. I am shure - if you would be willing to see this from a view of your own brother - you could come to the result why didn´t you start earlier and why did you wait even six years?
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You will imagine or you will not that various appeals even to the Director of Public Prosecution Bernard Turner, to Attorney General Alfred Sears and Prime Minister Perry Christie had fallen on deaf ears. Those inefficiencies are having a serious impact on the country´s dealings with foreign investments.
Harald Fuhrmann
DELROY, could you help me???

Fay, see my reply dated 26th of January 2003. Could you understand my position? Do you need more informations? Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you
Harald

Thank you for your reply because you helped in so far as English is not my mother language. You are right that the situation is very stressful
Thanks
Harald

KIRTLAND: You caused that I wrote much more than what I wanted. See my letter to Delroy. Could you agree? Could you contact Mr. Alfred Sears or Mr. Perry Christie?