Fairytale marriage could be at an end for

Turks and Caicos premier

caribbeannetnews.com

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: Just two years into the fairytale marriage of Dr Michael Misick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), and American actress and businesswoman Lisa-Raye McCoy-Misick in April 2006, sources connected to the islands now say that the marriage of the First Couple of the TCI could be coming to an end.

In April of this year, Misick was accused of sexually assaulting a US citizen on a visit to his and Lisa-Raye’s home in the TCI. It was reported that the female visitor in question was a friend of Lisa-Raye’s.
Just days after the allegations were made, the TCI premier issued a televised statement that “strongly and categorically” denied the charges.

“A few days ago, an American female, after leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands, made a false report to law enforcement officials in the United States that she had allegedly been sexually assaulted by me,” Misick had said in the release, adding: “I strongly and categorically deny these false allegations.”

Misick said that since the matter involved a US citizen, law enforcement officers from the US would be observing the investigation, but added: “I am confident that I will be completely and fully exonerated of these false and outrageous allegations.”

He said that he would not comment any further on the matter and would continue his ministerial duties.

Although Misick denied the charges, reports from other media sources, including internet sites and Bahamian newspapers, stated that Misick admitted there was sexual contact but claims that it was consensual.

Since then, speculation of an impending divorce has been fueled by the still-unknown outcome of the investigation into the allegation of rape.

This is also not the first time the TCI premier has been involved in controversy. Last year, he was accused of assaulting an opposition member of parliament and, earlier this year, Britain’s Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) cited widespread suspicion of corruption in the TCI government during an evidence-taking session in London.

Lisa-Raye, who was voted by readers of Black Men Magazine as one of “The 10 Sexiest Women of the Year” in 2001, is a well-known American actress, most recently being cast in a lead role for the now-cancelled CW comedy All of Us.

The couple met at the TBS Trumpet Awards in Atlanta, Georgia in 2004 and initially corresponded via e-mail several times a day. The first date took place in Jamaica when Lisa-Raye had to fly to Jamaica to host an annual festival weekend. Misick, who was determined to court her, flew to Jamaica from TCI to take the young actress and her friends out for dinner.

The couple’s marriage followed a whirlwind courtship, complete with romantic dinners, sunsets and strolls on the beach.

The fairytale wedding took place at the Amanyara Resort on Providenciales in the presence of 300 guests, including regional leaders and dignitaries – Perry Christie, then Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Dr Ewart Brown, now Premier of Bermuda, Hubert Ingraham, then Leader of the Opposition and now Prime Minister of The Bahamas, McKeeva Bush, Leader of the Opposition of the Cayman Islands, and then Chairman of the Caribbean Hotel Association Berthia Parle.

Obie Wilchcombe, then Minister of Tourism for the Bahamas served as the premier’s best man and actress Vivica Fox and rapper Da Brat, the bride’s sister, were included in the bridal party.

Rumours of cheating and infidelity have plagued the couple’s two-year marriage, but have never been confirmed.

Lisa-Raye Misick told Caribbean Net News on Tuesday, "I understand the interest my fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders have in this matter. But I hope they will understand that I have no comment to make at this time."

However, emailed requests by Caribbean Net News to the TCI Government Information Service (GIS) for comment on the reports were not immediately responded to up to press time, and telephone calls to the Premier’s Office went unanswered.