It’s a legal showdown that’s captured the attention of both the public and the public service sector, two high-profile cases, one powerful message: contracts matter. At the center of it all is the Belize Tourism Board, now facing back-to-back courtroom defeats after terminating two of its top executives, Misty Michael and Karen Bevans, before their contracts were up. Both women took their cases to court, and both walked away with major wins. Tonight, we take a closer look at what the courts had to say, why the B.T.B.’s arguments didn’t hold up, and what these rulings mean for accountability, contract enforcement, and the future of public sector employment in Belize. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano.
It’s a case that’s been closely watched in legal and public service circles. At the heart of it: a dispute between the Belize Tourism Board and its former Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, Misty Michael. Michael was hired permanently in 2019 and later signed a three-year employment contract in April 2020. But just over a year into that contract, she was abruptly terminated. The BTB claimed the dismissal was due to financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, invoking a clause in her contract that allowed for termination in the event of a “material change in circumstances.” But Michael didn’t agree. She argued that her termination was without cause and that she was entitled to the full benefits outlined in her contract—benefits that included all remaining salary and perks for the rest of her term.
The court also rejected BTB’s claim that the contract’s termination clause was an unenforceable penalty. Instead, it ruled that the clause was a legitimate part of a negotiated agreement and not out of line with similar contracts for other senior staff. This ruling reinforces the principle that public bodies must follow their own rules, but it also protects individuals who enter contracts in good faith. It’s a win for accountability and for fair treatment in employment. It’s a case that was similar to former Director of Tourism Karen Bevans who was also dismissed in 2021.
The court found that the contract was properly approved, even if the Minister’s approval was given verbally. The judge ruled that the law does not require written approval, and that the BTB’s leadership—including its Chairman and Vice Chair—had the authority to sign the contract. “This case sets a strong precedent. It confirms that verbal ministerial approval can be valid, and that public bodies must honor their contracts—especially when they’ve benefited from the employee’s work.”
The court also rejected the BTB’s claim that the termination clause was a “penalty.” Instead, it ruled that the clause was standard for senior BTB staff and provided fair protection for Bevans, who had been praised for her performance. Bevans had already received one year’s salary as a so-called “ex gratia” payment. But the court ruled she was entitled to the full amount remaining on her contract—nearly BZ$770,000—minus that earlier payment. The BTB also tried to shift blame to three individuals: former Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia, and former BTB Chairman Einer Gomez and Vice Chair Glenford Eiley. But the court dismissed those claims too, ruling that all three acted in good faith and within their legal authority. In the end, the Court upheld the original award, including interest and legal costs, and urged the BTB to consider clearer regulations and internal procedures for future appointments. Isani Cayetano for News Five.