When one visits the two properties owned by former finance minister Brian Kuei Tung which have been seized by the courts here in Florida, what is immediately apparent is that they are located in two of the most beautiful parts of this state.
What is also obvious is that both the apartment and the house have not been used since the latest charges were brought against Kuei Tung.
Investigations have confirmed that since the former finance minister bought the million-dollar apartment at Aventura, which is north of Miami, he has rarely used it. And, up to Friday evening, he had not been to the apartment in months.
The sprawling four-bedroom apartment, which was purchased fully furnished, with its own jacuzzi, is part of an apartment complex called Turnberry Towers. It is surrounded by lush vegetation, and scores of mainly spanish-speaking workers can be seen tending to the lawn throughout the day.
Town House six is the one owned by Kuei Tung and is located on the ground floor of the apartment complex. In order to access the apartment, one has to be invited and must go through at least three security checks.
The apartment has huge, wooden doors, and is located next to the card-playing room where, last Friday evening, several seniors could be seen having a game.
The Sunday Express was told that the town houses were usually bought by wealthy American millionaires who wish to retire in style.
Turnberry Towers is surrounded by golf courses where members can have a game at any time and be assured that they will have everything available, including a caddy.
For those who love the water, there is a marina nearby where several yachts are anchored.
While the house in Ft Lauderdale does not have many of the conveniences offered by the apartment, it is close to the beach in the upper middle-class neighbourhood of Victoria Park. If one were to compare the neighbourhood to one in Trinidad it would perhaps be similar to that of Palmiste in South Trinidad.
Neighbours say they have not seen Kuei Tung's daughters-who live there-for at least the last week, and were unsure if they were in town.
Checks also revealed that they have not cleared their mailbox for at least a week, and that Kuei Tung himself receives mail at that location.
The phone number at the house also remains in Kuei Tung's name. The apartment, meanwhile, had not been sold as of Friday.
The Florida court has allowed the former Finance Minister to sell the apartment as long as he allows the money to remain in an escrow account until his court matter is over.
Kuei Tung has been charged along with other UNC officials and businessmen with seeking to defraud the government and the Airports Authority of millions of dollars arising from the Piarco New Airport Development Project.
