The Alfa Nero discovery saga reportedly has sailed into the local court system, and sources claim that Attorney-General Sir Steadroy Benjamin is making frantic efforts to keep the defendant, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, out the dock.
Our sources allege that legal filings have been made in the High Court, here in Antigua and Barbuda, to compel disclosure of materials that were held back from the US District Court’s Southern Florida jurisdiction.
It is further alleged that this matter will be heard on Tuesday, February 10, and that Sir Steadroy is working overtime to protect his boss, who has been accused of corruption related to the sale of the vessel.
In their January 2, 2026, filing in the Southern District Court, the lawyers representing Yulia Guryeva Motlokhov had reported that certain documents related to the vesel’s sale through brokers Northrop & Johnson had not been provided, despite their request.
Accordingly, a supplemental application seeking targeted discovery from other sources had been expected – although not locally, the sources say, and these new filings reportedly have thrown the attorney-general into a tizzy and the prime minister, allegedly, into a panic.
Among the allegations swirling around the Alfa Nero matter is the persistent rumour that art pieces – possibly worth more than the vessel, itself – were removed from the superyacht and are hidden here, in Antigua.
It is now well known that the atorneys for Yulia Guryeva Motlokhov – who has long claimed ownership of the luxury yacht – were successful in obtaining permission for discovery in the US Court in Florida after the initial application in New York was quashed.
The lawyers’ reports to the Southern District Court, so far, have alleged that Prime Minister Browne, his family members, and an attorney are implicated in underhand dealings related to the sale – for US$40 million – of the yacht which, originally, had been said to be worth US$120 million.
United Progressive Party officials and other residents have been perplexed by the Browne Administration’s acceptance of the reported US$40 million offer when an earlier offer of US$66 million had been on the table during the so-called public auction.
Pundits are now speculating as to whether Benjamin will release the requested documents and throw Browne under the proverbial bus – or boat – since there had been a bitter conflict between the Cabinet and Benjamin’s former law firm, which had represented the US$66 million bidder.
The pundits claim, as well, that the officer responsible for the sale of the Alfa Nero is a US naturalized citizen, and that at this time – when the USA is not only targeting nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, but giving ultimatums on dual citizenship – he might be particularly vulnerable to legal pressure.
REAL News will continue to follow this story
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