The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has moved to address allegations circulating publicly that the country’s Ambassador to the African Union, Johann Hesse, received a US$450,000 introductory fee in connection with the sale of the Alfa Nero yacht.

Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Maurice Merchant, confirmed that Cabinet summoned Ambassador Hesse to clarify the matter amid growing public scrutiny.

According to Merchant, Hesse informed Cabinet that the fee in question was paid to a United Kingdom–registered company owned by his business partner.

He stated that the taxes associated with the payment were declared in the United Kingdom.

Hesse, has clarified that the US$450,000 fee connected to the sale of the luxury yacht Alfa Nero was not paid to him personally, but to a United Kingdom–registered company owned by his business partner, Rufus Gobat.

Hesse explained that the company earned the introductory fee after successfully identifying and securing a buyer during the initial bidding phase of the sale process. He stated that the firm is tax compliant and that the payment was properly declared to UK authorities.

Gobat, who joined Cabinet virtually during discussions on the matter, confirmed that the money was fully declared and that all applicable taxes were paid in the United Kingdom.

Both men have since sworn affidavits affirming that no government official, Cabinet member, or any family member of a government official — including Prime Minister Gaston Browne — received any benefit from the commission. They have also indicated plans to issue public statements addressing the issue.

Merchant emphasized that the money did not originate from government funds or from proceeds of the yacht’s sale to the State.

“The commission was paid on the sale of the Alfa Nero through agents who were involved in the process,” Merchant said. “The funds from the sale went directly to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda. It did not come from government coffers.”

Merchant explained that during the initial bidding phase, agents who assisted in procuring buyers could earn commissions for their services, describing it as standard brokerage practice.

He rejected suggestions that Prime Minister Browne or his family had any personal involvement or financial gain, calling attempts to link the Prime Minister to the payment “far-reaching” and, in some instances, “bordering on the ridiculous.”

“While the Prime Minister and Mr. Hesse know each other, as is typical for ambassadors and government officials, to characterize him as the Prime Minister’s ‘right-hand man’ is inaccurate,” Merchant said. “If they interact twice in six months, that would be a lot.”

Merchant further noted that Cabinet had no prior knowledge of any private business dealings between Hesse and Gobat related to the sale and only sought clarification after the allegations surfaced publicly.

“As long as government funds are not involved, individuals have the right to conduct private business,” he stated.

The Government maintains that all documentation related to the direct sale of the Alfa Nero has already been released and insists the matter has been thoroughly addressed.

Officials say the administration considers the issue largely settled but will continue to defend its position against what it describes as baseless or politically motivated claims.

“The Government believes that the Alfa Nero is a dead issue,” Merchant said. “Whenever challenges arise, the attorneys are prepared to defend the Government’s actions, as well as those of the Prime Minister and any other officials involved.”

Although the Alfa Nero sale has faced repeated legal and political scrutiny, Cabinet members maintain that the transaction was conducted properly and in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda.