AG seeks to recover $1.5M from two soldiers

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has initiated legal action seeking to recover almost $1.5 million from two soldiers who have been accused of embezzlement and/or misappropriation. In the Port of Spain High Court on Thursday, Al-Rawi was granted an ex-parte order against private Josimar Belgrave and corporal Jason Richards to have them repay $1,480,000.

In a statement issued to the media yesterday, the Office of the Attorney General said it is seeking to have the money recovered by the Defence Force and wants the court to freeze the assets of the soldiers and order disclosure and discovery from certain financial institutions.

The ministry said the order granted restrains the soldiers, "whether by themselves, their servants and/ or agents or otherwise howsoever, from removing or in any way disposing of, dealing with or diminishing any and all assets located within or outside the jurisdiction that are owned by either of the (soldiers) whether solely or jointly with each other or any other person; held by any third party for the benefit of either (soldier); and/or held by any third party under the direct or indirect instructions of either (of them), their servants and/ or agents."

The order also freezes certain accounts held by the soldiers in financial institutions and it grants disclosure of certain accounts held by them.

"It requires disclosure by the (soldiers) by the filing of affidavits on or before August 25 and requires the payment of the (AG's) costs of the application to the court.

The order granted by Justice Margaret Mohammed was served on Thursday.