Former Hotline host and lawyer, Antoine Haughton Cardenas, dies

Long-time radio host, political leader and controversial lawyer, Antoinette Haughton Cardenas, has died, aged 67.

Cardenas passed away in the United States, where she had resided in her later years. Her husband, Osvaldo, was stunned by her passing, telling reporters he was unaware of her being ill after media reports suggested she was sick. After her family could not establish communication with her following their last conversation with her on Apr. 26, relatives went to her home and found her dead.

Haughton Cardenas was the daughter of former Cocoa Industry Board chairman Ken Haughton, rising to prominence during her decade-long run on RJR’s Hotline, often alternating with the late Barbara Gloudon as host while tacking hot political and community issues.

After Hotline, Cardenas founded the now-defunct United People’s Party, which ran during the 2002 General Election. Her reputation was called into question, however, after being accused of defrauding millions of dollars from her legal clients in 2009, later being charged and disbarred from Jamaica’s list of attorneys. She absconded bail and fled the island following the charges, never answering them.