The Jamaican entertainer at the centre of a bribery case involving a former security official at the United States (US) Embassy in Kingston will automatically lose his American visa and could face criminal prosecution, a US-based attorney has revealed.
Dahlia Walker-Huntington, who practises immigration law in the state of Florida, told The Gleaner yesterday that the revelations made in a Virginia court by David Rainsberger, the former assistant regional security officer at the US Embassy, could also bar the entertainer from obtaining citizenship in the US. “This person who is alleged to have bribed a US official did so to obtain a benefit and that is where the immigration fraud comes in,” Walker-Huntington explained. “Any visa that you obtain by fraud is not valid and any benefits you get from that fraud will be taken away,” she emphasised. Yesterday, the US Embassy declined to comment on the visa status of the entertainer, whose identity has still not been released. The embassy referred queries to the US Attorney’s Office in Virginia. Rainsberger pleaded guilty on Wednesday to accepting two luxury watches valued at US$2,500 in exchange for helping the entertainer gain a visa to enter the US. He said he also received backstage passes to concerts, free admission and a birthday party hosted by the entertainer. Walker-Huntington said because Rainsberger was employed in a very senior and sensitive position that will automatically trigger a wide-ranging probe by US authorities. “He was put in a position of extreme trust … . To have violated that trust, you can rest assured that further investigation will take place to make sure it is a deterrent to US employees all over the world,” she reasoned. In a statement released yesterday, Yolonda Kerney, head of the Public Affairs Section at the embassy, seemed to echo Walker-Huntington’s assertion. “The government of the United States of America takes its own anti-corruption mandates seriously. No one is above the law, even embassy employees,” Kerney said. Walker-Huntington said if the entertainer is already in the US and marries an American citizen to obtain permanent residency, the fraud could become a major obstacle. “To change your status, you must be in the US pursuant to lawful entry to be able to change your status, through marriage, from a visitor to an immigrant,” she explained.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20130209/lead/lead2.html

Do you think of Jamaica as a country where gays and lesbians are hunted down in the streets? This film reveals the REAL Jamaica.
Launched: Jan 31, 2013
Funding ends: Mar 2, 2013
Remind Me
What is AN ABOMINABLE CRIME about?

AN ABOMINABLE CRIME is a documentary that explores the culture of homophobia in Jamaica through the eyes of two Jamaicans who are forced to chose between their homeland and their lives — after their sexual orientations are exposed…

This film tells the stories of…

Simone Edwards, a young lesbian who survives being shot down outside of her home by anti-gay gunmen and must choose between living in hiding with her daughter in Jamaica or traveling alone to seek safety and asylum abroad.

Maurice Tomlinson, a human rights activist and lawyer, who experienced an avalanche of death threats when his marriage to a Canadian man is revealed by a Jamaican Newspaper. Does he dare to return to Jamaica to continue his activism?

Why make a documentary about gay Jamaicans?

Homophobia is a human rights problem, and the struggle for equal treatment of LBGT people is a global human rights issue.

In Jamaica being gay is a crime, homophobia is the status quo, and violence against the LGBT community is widely approved and accepted. HIV now infects nearly a third of the gay male community, who must live in the shadows or risk their lives.

Since filming began in 2009, five characters in AN ABOMINABLE CRIME have fled Jamaica after dealing with gunfire, mob violence, and death threats.

Today, people like Simone and Maurice must choose between their lives and their homeland — exile or death.

These stories have never been told before and the impacts of Jamaican homophobia stretch far beyond the Caribbean as refugees like Simone and Maurice seek asylum and safety in the US, Canada, and Europe.

AN ABOMINABLE CRIME is not just a film about homophobia and violence, it also demonstrates in a deeply personal and intimate manner how courage and love can transcend violence and fear.

What will you use your Kickstarter funds for?

1. Finishing the edit: The very talented Karen Sim has been editing AN ABOMINABLE CRIME in bits and pieces for nearly a year. Karen’s award-winning work has been broadcast on Frontline, PBS, and HBO. She is an amazing editor who is passionate about the project. If we are successfully funded, we will be able to pay Karen to finish the film.

2. Music rights and an original score: Amanda Harberg is an award-winning composer whose music has been performed by the the Grand Rapids Symphony, the National Symphony of Ecuador, the Thuringer Symphony, the Olympia Philharmonic Society, the String Orchestra of the Rockies and by the New Juilliard Ensemble. Her work has also been performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, the Juilliard School, the Eastman School’s Women in Music Festival, Chautauqua, and the Interlochen Music Festival. Amanda has also composed music for several documentaries, including PBS Wide Angle’s “Japan’s About Face” and the “New Teacher Survival Guide” for the Teaching Channel. When we are successfully funded, Amanda’s talents will bring the film to life with an emotional and evocative score.

3. Paying for graphics and archival materials: Graphics include things like titles, transitions, and poster design. The archival materials includes news footage and newspaper photos that help to document the crimes described in the film.

4. If we raise more than $35,000 then the remainder will be used to pay for an animated opening sequence and a professional sound mix — and to support an outreach campaign to get the film seen around the world!

How did you get this far into the project?

We’ve been working on AN ABOMINABLE CRIME for more than four years with support from the Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting. The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an innovative award-winning non-profit journalism organization dedicated to supporting the independent international journalism that U.S. media organizations are increasingly less able to undertake. The Center focuses on under-reported topics, promoting high-quality international reporting and creating platforms that reach broad and diverse audiences.

Director Micah Fink first met Simone while in Jamaica working on a series for the Pulitzer Center and PBS World Focus called “The Glass Closet: Sex, Stigma, and HIV/AIDS in Jamaica.”

The Pulitzer Center is supporting our Kickstarter campaign by reaching out to their networks and spreading the word about AN ABOMINABLE CRIME. When the film is finished, the Pulitzer Center will arrange screenings at colleges around the United States as part of their campus consortium program.

Who is producer/ director Micah Fink?

Micah Fink, the founder of Common Good Productions, is an award-winning producer, director and writer specializing in international affairs, public health, and environmental issues. He is also on the faculty at the Graduate Program in Social Documentary at the School For Visual Arts in NYC.

Recent projects include producing of CNN’s “Memo to the President with Fareed Zakaria” (2013), serving as a Segment Producer for seven hours of Al Gore’s “Climate Reality Project,” (2012), and directing and producing “Mann V. Ford” for HBO (2011).

Micah’s work has been recognized with three Emmy nominations, two Cine Golden Eagle Awards, a Silver Screen award, and an International Film and Video Award. He was a Japan Society Fellow in 2008 and a Kaiser Media Health Fellow in 2005. Micah has a MS in Journalism from Columbia University and a BA in Comparative Literature from Cornell University.

You can learn more about Micah’s company, Common Good Productions, and see examples of his recent work at www.commongoodprod.com.

How does Kickstarter Work?

Kickstarter is an all or nothing model of funding – if we don’t meet our goal then you won’t be charged for your pledge and we won’t receive any money.

Payments are made securely by credit card through Amazon.com. Kickstarter has an excellent and thorough FAQ for backers that can answer your most detailed pledging questions! You can find it here.

Because of the high pressure all-or-nothing funding model, we would greatly appreciate if you could also take time to share this page in any way that you can – Facebook, Twitter, by blogging about it, or sending an e-mail to a friend – or all of your friends! Shout it from the rooftops! The more people who hear about the project, the more chances we have to reach our goal!

How can I keep in touch?

For project updates and news about Jamaica and LGBT issues you can connect with us on Twitter @AbominableCrime.

You can also like us on Facebook.

If you’d like to say hello you can also e-mail us at abominable.crimes [at] gmail [dot] com.

RISKS AND CHALLENGES Learn about accountability on Kickstarter

The biggest risk in this project was not a production issue but rather the risks that Simone and Maurice are taking by showing their faces — and revealing their true identities as gay Jamaicans.

They were both willing to be filmed while in Jamaica — which was, at times, rather tense but because of their commitment to telling this story, it was a risk they (and the production crew) were willing to take.

This film is a testament to their bravery and commitment to the simple idea that LGBT people should not have to live in fear — and risk their lives — just for being themselves.

In terms of production challenges, we don’t yet know how the film will be distributed — and are actively looking for broadcasters around the world (please contact us if you are interested!) so we can’t be certain when DVD’s and digital downloads will be available. But we promise to do our absolute best to get everything out to our supporters as quickly as possible.

We’ll be posting regular updates!

Thank you for your support!

FAQ

If you are SINGLE …. You need to READ THIS

There are all kinds of things that keep reminding you that Valentine ’s Day is here from the classic commercial sense, all kinds of pink & red balloons around, love songs playing all the time on the radio, commercials for what to get the special one.

If you’re in a relationship, it’s a good reminder and definitely gives some ideas on what you can do for your special one, but if you’re single it’s an annoying reminder that you’re single and even if you don’t care about val’s day, it’s just in your face and you want it to end.

If you’re single and Valentine ’s Day rolls around, you know you’re gonna get bombarded with couples all over the place. Folks receiving flowers, engagement stories, restaurants filled with lovers, etc. Well there’s stuff to do that will definitely get your mind off all that stuff.

You can still do your own thing, and have fun. You don’t have to sit at home and hate every couple, or pout, or drown yourself in ice cream and cheesy romance movies.

Some few ideas below

1. Hit The Scene
Grab your single friends and hit the club scene. There’s always guaranteed to be something popping on vals day, and you can definitely grab a few single friend and hit up bars, pubs, clubs, karaoke bars and lounges. You definitely don’t need a significant other to have a blast in the club.

2. Volunteer
Technically, Valentine ’s Day is about love. Not just romantic love, but love in general. There are plenty of folks that don’t have any kind of love, and there’s nothing that will make you feel better about yourself than doing some volunteer work that will put a smile on someone else’s face. Motherless babies home, Nursing home, Animal shelter, Food banks. These are just a few ideas.

3. Gym Time
While others might be piling up calories by eating chocolate and ice cream and the likes, you can do the opposite, and hit the gym. A good workout session will shed that stress you might be feeling off, and you’ll end up feeling very refreshed.

4. Watch Movies (Scary Movies)
The farthest thing to think about when watching scary movies, is love. Well, technically, but it sure beats watching romantic comedies. Depending on your mood, you can watch movies by yourself or call up a few friends for movie night. Stack 3 movies together, and you’re sure to kill the night quickly.

5. Treat Yourself
Fine you don’t have a date on Valentine’s Day, but you still love yourself. Yep. You can spoil yourself a little bit on Valentine’s Day and feel great about it. A spa treatment, pedicure, shopping, buy something you’ve always wanted. Just something that will put a smile on that face.

6. Spend Time With Family
If you live in the same city as your family, it’ll be a good idea to spend some time with them. Some of my best memories of Valentine ’s Day have been with family, and nothing like some good ole family time.

If you’re too far away to visit family, then give them a call, or even skype with your parents or loved ones if you have the means. They are your first loves anyways.

7. Throw A Party
Throwing a party just might be the ultimate way to have blast on val’s day. But you have to know for at least a week that you’re not doing anything “traditional” on Valentine’s Day. Hit up everyone, buy drinks, some appetizers, and get to partying. Heck you can spice it up and give it a theme. Fun things.

So there you have it. 7 things you can do on Valentine’s Day if you’re single.

You don’t want to come off as desperate, bitter, miserable or accept a rush date with someone you really don’t know, sulk and hate on your friends in relationships.
So have fun and make the day worthwhile.

KILLA A HIM ENEMY………….

7 reasons why GUYS choose ONE LADY over ANOTHER

Don’t you hate that? You give a guy, the best years of your life or you’ve liked that guy for ages but yet he keeps choosing these tramps over you?

N.B not that I’m bitter about my ex’s new girlfriend or anything…..kmt

So what’s going on? What’s so good about her? What was it that he couldn’t or didn’t see in you? He most likely isn’t going to tell you why but I have seven reasons why he chose her and not you.

1. GOD’S TIME IS THE RIGHT TIME- Timing is everything. It’s not your time to be with him or it will never be your time. Sometimes some things aren’t meant to be.

2. Attraction – Hard pill to swallow but it could be that she’s more attractive than you, in which case you can’t blame him. We all want someone on our arm that we can be proud of but one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure right?

3. Confidence – If you like to constantly point out your flaws just so he could dispute them, chances are he was thinking ‘On to the next one!’ Guys like confident girls who are confident in their own skin. If you were guilty of this, you just gave him the green light to pick a more confident chick, sucks huh?

4. She trusts him – If you were the sort of girl who checked their man’s phone while he went to the toilet or did some military style interrogation when he went out with his boys? That sort of behavior screams crazy/needy/out of control/ neurotic freak. If you trusted him, you might have kept him.

5. She knows he’s not psychic – What do I mean? Basically when a guy asks you ‘what’s wrong?‘ TELL HIM. They are not psychic, they won’t just ‘know’. This kind of behaviour drives guys up the wall, and they hate it. As I always say communication is KEY. I realize I’m guilty of this one *sighs*

6. She understands that his bank account isn’t bottomless – If you were one of those girls always demanding money for this or that, it’s no wonder you found yourself suddenly single. This other chick is probably within his price range.

7. She respects him –If you complained at everything he did instead of giving constructive criticism. No guy likes to stick around for abuse. Odds are this new chick probably shows she appreciates him not just when he does something for her but constantly, guys need love too, you know!

To sum it all up, you and her are two different women and he choosing her has no reflection on you as a woman. He’s made his choice and the best revenge you can do is meet someone who knows your worth and stop thinking about your ex cos trust me he ain’t thinking about you.

TON