Accused in $80 million housing scam granted bail

Sep 15, 2012 News

By Rehanna Ramsay
The two persons fingered in the most recent multi-million-dollar housing scam were yesterday released on $1.7 million bail each when they reappeared before (Ag) Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.
The two, Denise Griffith and Balkaran Lillie, were represented by Attorneys-at-Law Rexford Jackson and Adrian Thompson respectively. The lawyers renewed their bail application.
On the last occasion, the two persons were remanded on three counts of obtaining by false pretense, in that they allegedly obtained over $1 million dollars from Latchmie Manbodh, Benna Stanislaus and Ramkumar Rajban while pretending that they were in a position to provide house lots.
Reports are that the two accused had collected money from several persons under the pretext that they could legitimately acquire lands for them at a cheaper and faster rate than operated at the Housing Ministry.
The defendants are believed to have created a system to trick unsuspecting persons into believing that they had connections with staff of the Ministry of Housing who would facilitate them in acquiring the house lots.
Lillie and Griffith allegedly conspired together to lure their victims into thinking that they could obtain these lands at the Little Diamond Area on the East Bank of Demerara.
After numerous complaints were made to the Housing Authority, a police investigation was launched. The probe led to the arrest of the two defendants, who were then placed on an identification parade where they were pointed out to the authorities. They were later charged with the offence. Further reports suggest that 18 more criminal charges are likely to be laid against the defendants.
In his renewed application for bail, Griffith’s lawyer, Rexford Jackson, told the court that his client has an alibi. The lawyer claimed that Griffith was not in Georgetown but that she was in Essequibo at the time that the alleged crime was committed.
Jackson further said that case against his client is one of “mistaken identity.” He explained that only one person out of a group accusers identified his client as the person who took part in the misdemeanor. The lawyer also said that his client is “only 19 years old and had no previous brushes with the law.”
Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson who rendered legal service to Lillie requested bail at an affordable sum. Thompson told the court that his client is a laboratory technician who poses no risk of flight since he is willing to lodge his passport pending the determination of the trial.
The prosecution did not oppose the lawyers’ applications and the magistrate granted both defendants bail on condition that they lodge their passports and report to Brickdam Police Station fraud squad unit every Friday. The matter is adjourned until September 17.

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Accused in $80 million housing scam granted bail

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