Prominent real estate attorney granted bail

Prominent estate attorney Jennifer Messado, who is charged with fraud, was granted bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday.

Messado and her co-accused, real estate broker Beverly Barakat, were granted bail in the sum of $800,000 and $50,000, respectively.

Their matter was heard by Parish Judge Maxine Ellis.

The Clerk of Court, Hansurd Lawson, informed the judge that the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime branch was opposing bail for Messado as it might compromise its investigation into other matters.

MONEY LAUNDERING

However, bail was granted with conditions. The prosecution did not oppose bail for Barakat.

Messado, who was charged last Friday, is accused of uttering forged documents, forgery, conspiracy to defraud, causing money to be paid out by forged document, and money laundering.

Barakat was charged on Monday with conspiracy to defraud and forgery as well as operating a real estate brokerage firm without a licence.

Reports are that she conspired with Messado in the illegal sale of a church property.

Both are to return to court on July 3.

As condition of her bail, Messado is to report daily to the Constant Spring Police Station, surrender her travel documents with a stop order in place as well as a curfew order.