Anguilla police have laid two additional charges in court against a St
Lucian businessman, including one for money laundering. They said the
additional charge is for theft of a quarter of a million US dollars from
a business colleague in nearby St Maarten.
Inspector Arsenault of the Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) Financial Crime and Investigation Unit said in January 2009, the man was brought before the court for allegedly stealing US$950,000. The accused manages more than half a dozen offshore private trust companies for various clients.
Arsenault, who heads the Financial Crime Unit told Anguilla reporters that the two additional charges against him were laid on August 14. During the media briefing at Police Headquarters, Arsenault said the victim in relation to the US$950,000 theft was from South Africa. It was the first time since the story broke in January this year that the police have disclosed the country of origin of the victim.
Police also confirmed that the St Lucian national who has been living and working in Anguilla for over 12 years, had been re-arrested and brought before the court. The law enforcement officers said they could not give a date for the next court hearing but did indicate that his bail conditions have been altered. Police said they were in possession of his passport.
In January, the Financial Services Commission revoked the licenses of all the offshore trust companies the man operated on the island. However, the Commission later in the year after several court hearings reinstated the companies. But the Commission has again revoked the companies pending the outcome of the current court matter.