Judge revokes bail after fraudsters carried ‘likkle bit a money’

Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole-Montague yesterday withdrew the bail that had been extended to two persons who turned up with a fraction of the money they were told to take with them in order to make restitution.

Patrick Wilson and Kadian Russell last year pleaded guilty to a 45- count indictment that charged them with forgery, conspiracy to defraud, obtaining credit by fraud and uttering forged documents.

Russell, on her last court appearance, was told by the judge to take a substantive amount of money to court yesterday. However, she told the judge that through their collaborative efforts, she and Wilson were only able to come up with $30,000.

The judge, noting that they were before the courts for fraud-related activities amounting to $12.5 million, was displeased.

"Oh Lord, unno love the lock ups though. [Only] $30,000?," the judge quizzed.

Addressing Russell, she remarked: "Aren't you the $12 million lady? Madam, the last time you were before me [on January 18], you told me that you were getting a barrel and you said, 'Judge, beg you likkle time because me a go country'. I remember these things. Well, Madam, I am going to lock you up. $30,000 is nothing, you stole $12 million. That's an insult."

Wilson and Russell are alleged to have conspired with three others, including a teacher, to defraud a financial institution of $12.5 million in loans. When they were first before the courts in December 2021, the judge ordered Russell to take $1.5 million and Wilson to take $250,000 to begin restitution.

The court heard that on the last occasion, Russell repaid only $50,000, but it was not clear the amount Wilson brought to court.

Before they were carried from the courtroom by police officers yesterday, Russell pleaded with the judge to be granted a phone call, to garner additional funds from her friends or family members.

"What if I can make some calls, supposed I get anything else?" Russell begged.

"Well, I'll see, but apparently you like that kind of things. When you come to court, no money comes, but when I send you to the magic cell, money shell down. You seem to think that the court is playing," the judge remarked.

Russell and Wilson have been ordered to remain in custody until February 21, when the matter again will be mentioned.