US clears Grenada's former deputy PM

The US Court of Appeal has cleared Grenada's former deputy Prime Minister, Gregory Bowen, of wrongdoing in a matter involving an American investor over drilling rights in St George's.



The court ruled that there was no conspiracy between the former Keith Mitchell administration and a group of Russians, to prevent investor Jack Grynberg's company from searching for oil in Grenadian waters.



Grynberg had sued the Russians and Bowen for $500 million and accused him of requesting a bribe after the government terminated his oil exploration contract in 2005.



The US District Court ruled two years ago that Grynberg failed to prove that two directors of the Russian oil company, Global Petroleum Group, interfered with his oil exploration contract.



That ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal Second Circuit.