Publicists for local reggae sensation Jah Cure, real name Siccature Alcock, are denying Internet reports that the world-famous crooner was arrested in Trinidad on Saturday night, after being slated for a show in that island.

Since Saturday night, several websites, particularly those in Trinidad, have been reporting that the singer was arrested at the Hyatt Hotel for allegedly not repaying a Trinidadian show promoter, Handel Anthony, close to US$20,000.


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One such website was www.guardian.co.tt, the online version of newspaper The Trinidad Guardian. The article on that website read:

“Jamaican reggae superstar Jah Cure (Siccature Alcock) was arrested at the Hyatt Hotel at 7:30 last (Saturday) night. He was held following a court order issued by Justice Sebastian Ventor for failure to pay US$19,993 to a local businessman. Jah Cure would only have been able to perform at the event if he was able to pay the money in cash or sign a security bond for the amount owed. Jah Cure was recently released from jail in Jamaica after serving nine years for rape.”

When THE STAR contacted the Besson Street Police Station in Trinidad, an officer said that the singer was arrested for owing a businessman some money. The officer said that he did not know if any charges were brought against the singer as he was later released and allowed to perform at It’s Cure Again at Pointe-a-Pierre, Guaracara Park, that same night. This, he said, would have indicated that some agreement was arrived at as it relates to the matter for which he was arrested.

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Robert Nesta Morgan, Jah Cure’s publicist, however, is denying that the artiste was arrested.

“That story that The Guardian has is erroneous, in that it said Jah Cure was arrested, he was not arrested, he was taken to the police station but was later released,” the publicist told THE STAR. He further raised speculations as to why the article did not state that the singer was released and eventually went on to perform at the show.

Morgan said Jah Cure’s trip to the police station resulted from an outstanding appearance for a three-concert deal with Anthony. He had performed on two of the concerts. Jah Cure’s contention with the third, Morgan said, was that the promoter wanted him to perform with tracks instead of a live band, which he refused to do. Morgan said Jah Cure subsequently returned the US$19,993, which was a deposit for the show, to Anthony after he was taken to the police station.

In a release that was issued subsequent to speaking with THE STAR, Morgan stated: “On Saturday November 7 an incident did happen between Jah Cure and Handel Anthony, however, this matter was amicably settled – I am concerned that the paper did not do the necessary vetting to validate the claims being made by the story as checks with the police will reveal that there is no record of arrest. Because of that error, my client’s way of life is being threatened as the story is being reported worldwide as fact.”

He continued: “I am asking that the paper print a full retraction or my client will be forced to seek restitution by other means.”

The publicist said the recent “mix-up” was nothing more than an attempt to not have Jah Cure perform at It’s Cure Again, which was organised by a competing promoter in the island.

Source: JamaicaStar