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A report in the Washington Examiner last Thursday revealed that a US Department’s Diplomatic Security Service official, David J. Rainsberger, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from a well-known Jamaican entertainer in exchange for a visa to the country.
Reportedly, court documents only revealed the entertainer’s initials as D.B. However, sources close to the Washington DC-based newspaper later revealed said entertainer to be Mavado, whose real name is David Constantine Brooks.
Prosecutors said the singer presented Rainsberger with several gifts, including two luxury watches worth US$2 500, free nightclub passes and special VIP passes to events as a trade-off for help in attaining the visa. Additionally, Mavado is alleged to have hosted a birthday party for the former assistant regional security officer for investigations at the US Embassy branch in Kingston.
Rainsberger allegedly befriended the entertainer after his United States visa was cancelled in 2010 after being suspected of criminal conduct, according to prosecutors.
He was one of five prominent Jamaican entertainers at the time who had their visas revoked in April of that year by the US Embassy, including Beenie Man, Aidonia, his mentor, Bounty Killer and sound system owner, Ricky Trooper.
No reason was given for the visa cancellations at the time. However, prosecutors say that after investigating allegations against the singer, Rainsberger granted him a US visa in July 2011.
In addition to his alleged relations with Mavado, Rainsberger was also found to have been engaged to a Jamaican woman while married to an American woman. He intentionally withheld details of his engagement from the US government, according to prosecutors.
Rainsberger is now due for a sentencing hearing on April 19, where he could face up to seven years in prison for his actions.
Since acquiring his visa, Mavado signed to We The Best Music Group, a Miami-based record label under the Cash Money Records imprint and has recorded several songs with American acts such as Akon, Ace Hood and Papoose while touring across several American cities. He reportedly wed his long-time girlfriend, Monique McKenzie in Florida in January of last year.
No charges have been filed against Mavado, nor has it been confirmed by the US Embassy, nor the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, who initially issued a statement on the case last Wednesday. – Dancehallusa.
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