Raised eyebrows over Fly Guyana representative

Jul 05, 2013 News

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The idea of seeking to remedy the current shortfall in airlift to Guyana is a welcomed one, but eyebrows are now rising over information emanating out of the United States about representative of newly-introduced airline entrant Fly Guyana. Hopes are that the presumably promising charter is not a repeat of the recently failed EZjet, owned by Sonny Ramdeo.
The government informed via press statement over the weekend that Harry Chowbey, representing Fly Guyana, registered his desire to start operating the Guyana /New York route by October this year. The Ministry of Tourism and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) described it as, “One of the most exciting pieces of news.”
But how exciting are allegations of Fraud (intentional misrepresentation); conversion, breach of written contract, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, negligent interference with prospective economic advantage and breach of fiduciary duty?
At least that was what Chowbey was accused of doing back in 2005, when he was made president of the then California-located company, Victorville Aerospace.
The information about the court case (http://www.fearnotlaw.com/articles/article10091.html) says that a lawsuit was filed against Chowbey when he was alleged to have “embezzled a substantial sum of money from company’s bank account.”
An excerpt from the lawsuit explains that, “In 2004, Victorville Aerospace (VAL) began looking for investors. Leading Edge, a company that paints commercial aircraft, expressed an interest in acquiring VAL and its assets. When an agreement could not be reached, Chowbey, a senior officer of Leading Edge, expressed an interest in investing. In June 2005, Chowbey and his partner, Joshua Singh, presented a written commitment, representing their intent to provide VAL $1.5 million in operating capital. VAL appointed Chowbey as its president, and he took control of VAL’s financial activities.
By November 2005, VAL maintains it realized Chowbey would not be able to make the capital contribution he promised, and VAL began seeking alternative investors. It negotiated a sale of 50.2 percent of the business to William Graven for $2.5 million.
Graven prepared a letter outlining the terms of the agreement, which the parties all signed, including Chowbey. When it came time to close the transaction, VAL maintains Chowbey convinced Graven to terminate the agreement.
VAL immediately terminated its relationship with Chowbey, and asked him to vacate the premises. VAL alleges it soon discovered Chowbey had embezzled a substantial sum of money from VAL’s bank account before leaving.”
The company then made six claims against Chowbey, charging that he did harm to it.
A call to the California-based company –VAL- proved that the company is now Pacific Aerospace; having been bought over some five years ago. At the time, bankruptcy approval was pending from Houston’s U.S. Bankruptcy Court, since VAL had initially indicated financial woes, while being behind US$1.4M in rent; (Aviation pros.com).
Minister of Tourism and Guyana Tourism Authority, Irfaan Ali told Kaieteur News yesterday that plans for Fly Guyana have not been finalized. The minister said that he is not a part of the approval and processing team, but he would assume that Fly Guyana would be at the processing stage.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Robeson Benn, was unavailable for a comment since his secretary said he is out of the country.
Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed said yesterday that Fly Guyana has not presented any documents so far. GCAA is the agency responsible for the groundwork in the permission-granting process for charters wishing to work here. He said that so far, parties have only discussed the intentions for Guyana.
In relation to the 2005 court matter, it was stated that Chowbey filed a cross-complaint against VAL and three of its members. Kaieteur News was unable to ascertain the outcome of the matter, but it would be hoped – as the government has repeated – that all steps would be taken to prevent any other occurrences such as the Sonny Ramdeo saga.
On the other hand, Chowbey, according to his professional online LinkedIn profile is: Managing Director – Supplier Operations & Cabin Maintenance at Delta Air Lines – October 2006 – Present (6 years 10 months) Greater Atlanta Area. He was that President and COO at Leading Edge Aviation Services – June 2004 – June 2005 (1 year 1 month); manager Aircraft Maintenance at Continental Airlines – September 1986 – June 2004 (17 years 10 months) Houston, Texas Area.
Harry Chowbey aka Hari Chowbey is/was involved in several organizations over the years: Guyana’s Children Inc. Sparrow Glen Corp. was formed on 2001-01-02 in California by Hari Chowbey located at 6145 Orangegate Dr, Yorba Linda CA 92886. Sparrow Glen Corp (founded 2004 with Hari Chowbey as Principal) alternate address: 103 Century Park Pl, Peachtree City, GA, 30269-5634 – (770) 703-1280. Guyana’s Children Inc. was registered on 09/05/2001 at 6145 Orange Gate Dr Yorba Linda, CA 92886 Hari Krishna Chowbey of Peachtree City, Georgia, USA is listed as an aircraft mechanic and the holder of an Airframe and Powerplant Rating certificate.

 

 

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