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March trial for EZjet boss
Florida (News Americas) – The Guyana-born founder and CEO of the now defunct airline EZjet, Sonny Austin Ramdeo, is set to face a March trial for allegedly embezzling US$20M from his former employer in a payroll tax fraud scheme.
Senior Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp on Wednesday set the trial date for March 11.
EZjet boss, Sonny Ramdeo
Ramdeo is accused of embezzling the money as early as 2005 from Promise Healthcare Inc. and Success Healthcare Group, where he worked as the payroll supervisor.
As the payroll supervisor for both companies, Ramdeo managed the payroll for more than 3,500 employees in hospitals nationwide.
Federal officials say Ramdeo incorporated PayServ Tax Inc., and told the hospital chains he would handle the transfer of local, state and federal payroll taxes to the proper agencies on their behalf. Instead, authorities say, he kept the money.
In October, Promise Healthcare filed a lawsuit accusing Ramdeo of embezzling more than $5 million to keep his airline afloat.
He was arrested by the FBI in New York late last year, after reportedly being on the run.
Ramdeo is being represented by a public defender, Attorney Robert E. Adler. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Ramdeo, 35, started EZjet last year, as the cheaper alternative to fly on the New York to Guyana route. The airline collapsed last November. EZjet follows the trail of former national carriers, New Age Air Services, Guyana Air 2002, Guyana Airways and Universal Airlines, which all went belly up. North American airlines, which flew to Guyana for many years, pulled out to serve certain U.S. government agencies.
So far, authorities in Guyana have set a January 14 deadline for passengers, who had purchased EZjet tickets locally, to apply for refunds now that the airline has been declared dead.
The Guyana government has since negotiated with Caribbean Airlines the placement of additional flights on the New York – Georgetown route.
There had been questions about Ramdeo and his finances for EZjet.
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