Prime Minister Gaston Browne
PRESS STATEMENT
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda was informed today that Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne has, through his legal representatives, issued a formal demand to attorneys at the U.S. law firm Boies Schiller Flexner LLP regarding a series of defamatory statements made against him in connection with the 2024–2025 sale of the super-yacht Alfa Nero.
The Prime Minister—who also serves as Minister for Finance and Corporate Governance—has taken this step to protect the integrity of his office, his personal reputation, and that of Antigua and Barbuda following months of repeated, baseless, and internationally publicised allegations.
In correspondence dated November 26, 2025, attorneys acting for Prime Minister Browne detailed that Mr. Martin DeLuca, an attorney with Boies Schiller Flexner LLP acting on behalf of Ms. Yulia Guryeva-Motlokhova, made multiple public accusations suggesting corruption, financial misconduct, and misappropriation of public funds relating to the sale of the Alfa Nero.
These statements—widely circulated through major international news agencies including the Associated Press, Newsweek, Yahoo News, and regional outlets such as the Antigua Observer and Antigua News Room—imputed illegal conduct to the Prime Minister despite repeated and unequivocal denials issued by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Many of the statements were also posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where they amplified unsupported allegations and targeted the Prime Minister personally, his family members, and senior public officials.
The letter also outlines Prime Minister Browne’s established record of leadership in major global and hemispheric institutions. He currently serves or has served as:
• Chairman, SIDS Commission on Climate Change and International Law
• Governor, World Bank and Caribbean Development Bank
• Member, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council
• Incoming Chair-in-Office, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026
• Chairman-in-Office, OECS Authority and ECCB Board
• Chair, UN Expert Group on the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index
• International speaker at the United Nations, OAS, CARICOM, CELAC and COP Conferences
Given this global profile, the allegations have caused substantial and unwarranted reputational harm to both the Prime Minister and the nation of Antigua and Barbuda.
Among the claims challenged by the Prime Minister’s legal team are:
• Assertions that “millions disappeared” from the Alfa Nero sale
• Claims questioning the official sale price and implying secret deals
• Statements alleging “corruption,” “lack of transparency,” and “misappropriated funds”
• Social media posts accusing the Government of “selling Antigua to the highest bidder,” linking the Prime Minister to “foreign interests hostile to the U.S.,” and suggesting he faces a “corruption scandal”
The letter notes that these statements were made recklessly, maliciously, and without seeking comment or verification from the Prime Minister. It also highlights that subpoenas used as the basis for some comments were later discharged—yet the defamatory implications continued.
On behalf of Prime Minister Browne, the legal correspondence issued to attorneys David Boies, Jonathan Schiller, and Martin DeLuca demands:
1. Immediate cessation of all defamatory publications
2. Removal of the statements from all platforms
3. A public apology in approved terms
4. Publication of the apology across all media outlets where the allegations appeared
5. Payment of damages in the amount of US$10 million
6. Payment of legal fees on an indemnity basis
The letter also puts Boies Schiller Flexner LLP on notice of the Government’s intention to hold the firm vicariously liable for the actions of its employee, Attorney DeLuca.
The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda affirms that it welcomes legitimate legal processes but will not tolerate the weaponisation of falsehoods to damage the country’s reputation or undermine the office of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Browne maintains that all allegations concerning the Alfa Nero sale are entirely false, politically motivated, and orchestrated to tarnish his personal standing and the image of Antigua and Barbuda internationally.
The Cabinet reiterates its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, and will vigorously defend its integrity in all appropriate legal forums.
A copy of the Prime Minister’s Attorney Letter is enclosed.
A man of his word. If u say u gonna do something DO IT
What we need now is transparency. Anything that brings an end to rumours, mischief, and half-truths is welcome.
Let’s hope this doesn’t escalate into a prolonged international legal battle. It could be costly and distract from local priorities.
The Alfa Nero story has had too many voices and too little evidence. A court case may finally force clarity
Good to see the PM listing his global leadership roles. Internationally, reputation is currency. If false claims threatened that, legal action is logical.
It will be important to see what evidence emerges as the legal process unfolds and how it shapes public understanding of the issue.
People need to remember that reputational damage can affect the country, not just the individual. If the PM was defamed, it reflects on Antigua and Barbuda as well
Don’t play with them PM..your reputation is something yoi cannot ever regain once its gone