Unexpectedly, Liberian President-elect Joseph Boakai has met with media magnate Stanton Witherspoon, who was just found guilty of wire fraud in the US.
The results of Liberia’s presidential election showed that 78-year-old political seasoned veteran Joseph Boakai had narrowly defeated incumbent George Weah. Liberian election officials finally declared Boakai’s victory, signaling a dramatic change in the political climate of the West African country.
Conversely, Spoon Network CEO Stanton Witherspoon received a 41-month prison sentence for wire fraud. On August 24, 2023, he entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to conduct wire fraud. Operation Nightingale was a case involving the sale of forged transcripts and diplomas for nursing degrees from recognized Florida-based nursing schools.
Given the striking contrast in their recent headlines, there has been some curiosity about the meeting between Boakai and Witherspoon. Boakai, who assumed the presidency on a platform of reform, and Witherspoon, who is expected to go to prison following a well-publicized fraud conviction.
President-elect Boakai and the next First Lady of Liberia we seen watching football (soccer) together with convict Witherspoon.
There have been a series of backlashes from those who think the incoming president ought to keep his distance from convicted felons.
Veteran Liberian Journalist and former TRC Commissioner, Massa Washington noted that Boakai is validating his “Dance with the Devil” comments during the 2023 Presidential Elections. “Liberia’s President–elect, Joseph N. Boakai, hanging with United States Federal convict, Spoon TV CEO, Stanton Witherspoon. Wow, this Pop’s interesting ooh. His comment “I am prepared to dance with the devil”, has taken on a life of its own. It would seem like lack of proper discretion is an issue.”
Another Liberian Al-Malacious Kayee commented on a Facebook post saying, “Wow, he’s proud to associate himself with such evil man. Actually he’s dancing with the devil”.
Renowned Social Media Influencer, Jay Randy Darpoh, sharply lamented the meeting of the two in a Facebook post. “When Joseph Boakai takes pride in a photograph of himself standing next to a convicted federal criminal, it suggests that he lacks priorities, morality, integrity, and ethics and that he makes poor decisions. With Joseph Boakai, the soon-to-be president of Liberia, there is no doubt in my mind that criminals, thieves, killers, murderers, and others may view Liberia as a safe haven.”
Witherspoon’s conviction was a component of a bigger wire fraud operation that gave prospective nurses an unlawful job and licensing shortcut. More than 7,600 phony nursing credentials from three South Florida-based nursing schools were distributed as part of the operation.
Boakai and Witherspoon’s meeting takes place at a crucial juncture for Liberia. The nation is facing many difficulties as Boakai gets ready to assume office, such as corruption, unstable economies, and the requirement for significant reforms.
The meeting’s contents and conclusions are yet unknown, but it highlights the complicated path that Boakai’s administration has ahead of it. Boakai will have to carefully negotiate these complications as he assumes leadership, striking a balance between the necessity for change and the realities of Liberia’s political environment.
As Boakai becomes leadership of Liberia, all eyes will be on him in the upcoming weeks and months. The course of his presidency and the future of Liberia will be determined by his choices, especially this meeting with Witherspoon.
Liberian-born Emmanuel Orlind Cooper is an accomplished multimedia journalist with extensive experience covering news and stories on a variety of media platforms. Orlind's work frequently demonstrates his profound grasp of the region and its complexity, given his Liberian heritage.
Now residing in Woodbridge, Virginia, he keeps connecting with readers across continents with his perceptive journalism and sharing his viewpoint. He is well-respected in the sector because of his unwavering commitment to honesty and morality, which sets him apart in the field.
Orlind's work is more than simply his job; it's a dedication to giving voice to the voiceless, illuminating unsung tales, and advancing the worldwide conversation on important concerns. His goal as a journalist is to use the media's power to change the world, not just to disseminate information. He is a key player in modern journalism because of the inspiration, education, and engagement that his work consistently provides.