Former Chief Executive Officer of Antigua and Barbuda’s Financial Services Regulatory Commission, Leroy King, was laid to rest on Thursday following funeral services at the Bible Speaks Seventh-day Adventist Church. King died in early November at the age of 80 while in United States custody, although authorities have not publicly clarified the circumstances surrounding his death.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne attended the service along with several members of Cabinet, including Health Minister Molwyn Joseph, Foreign Affairs Minister Chet Greene, Information Minister Melford Nicholas, and Tourism Minister Charles Fernandez. The service was also streamed online, allowing participation from overseas mourners.

During tributes, Information Minister Melford Nicholas reflected on King’s organisational skills and political influence, particularly in the St. John’s City East constituency. He described King as meticulous and said his guidance played a significant role in the resurgence of the Antigua Labour Party during a critical period.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Chet Greene spoke about King’s early life in St. John’s and his academic journey at Iona College in New York. He also highlighted King’s professional background in banking and public service. In addition, Greene noted King’s involvement in major national projects and his active participation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church following his baptism in 2012.

Despite these reflections, King’s public career remained closely linked to the Allen Stanford financial scandal. As head of the Financial Services Regulatory Commission from 2002, King later admitted to helping shield Stanford International Bank from regulatory scrutiny. In exchange, prosecutors said he accepted more than US$520,000 in bribes, gifts, and travel benefits.

After nearly a decade of resisting extradition, King was extradited to the United States in 2019. He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. Consequently, he became the final defendant awaiting sentencing in the long-running case.

Stanford was convicted in 2012 and sentenced to 110 years in prison for orchestrating a US$7 billion Ponzi scheme. Several of his associates also received prison sentences ranging from three to 20 years.

Authorities have confirmed that King died during his incarceration. However, it remains unclear whether his death occurred in prison or at a hospital.

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