Gov’t claims Honorary Consul was stripped of appointment

By L.K. Hewlett
Editor- SKNVibes.com

Basseterre, St. Kitts – AFTER reports of the Honorary Consul of St. Kitts-Nevis in Costa Rica, Jonathan Curshen’s arrest surfaced in the local media, an official government release was subsequently issued asserting that his appointment had been “rescinded effective, 24th September 2008”.

SKNVibes published the article ‘SKN diplomat arrested on securities fraud charges’ yesterday (Oct. 9) outlining some of the charges brought against Curshen and an associate, Bruce Grossman where the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) allege that the men engaged in securities fraud.

A release received from the Prime Minister’s Press Secretary today (Oct. 10) dated October 9, stated that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having received verbal communication from the authorities in Costa Rica on September 24th 2008 of this development in a letter of same date, told Mr. Curshen that ‘in light of the development and the surrounding allegations, please be informed that you are no longer deemed suitable to represent the interest of the Federation.’”

SKNVibes learned that Curshen had been arrested on September 4, 2008, a full 20 days before the government press release claims he was notified of the repeal of his appointment citing “in light of the development and the surrounding allegations, please be informed that you are no longer deemed suitable to represent the interest of the Federation”. ~~Adz:Right~~

The release also stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received verbal communication from the authorities in Costa Rica on September 24, 2008 and rescinded Curshen’s appointment the same day of this development following allegations of fraud and his incarceration in the United States.

However, when SKNVibes contacted the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Astona Browne yesterday (Oct. 9), the official declined comment saying she would have to “check with the head office” of said ministry to ascertain if any communication had been received regarding Curshen’s legal predicament.

Curshen, 43, a stock promoter, has an office on Paseo Colon, Costa Rica and also practices in the US. He received the diplomatic appointment on July 1, 2004 despite an April 2003 SEC charge brought against him alleging securities fraud. He is currently out on bail following his arrest for the most recent allegations of securities fraud.