GOB distances itself from Deputy Director, Reynaldo Verde detained by the FBI for alleged extortion

The government today issued a statement in respect of Reynaldo Verde, the Deputy Director of the Belize Tax Services Department seeking to distance itself from the forty-seven-year old tax officer. As we have been reporting, Verde was returning from Brussels when he was nabbed at the Washington, Dulles airport. Verde was attending a taxation workshop when the F.B.I. moved in on him on Saturday. On Monday, he was charged at a Virginia court and remains detained on charges for extortion and attempted extortion. In its release on the senior government official today, the government says it understands he pleaded not guilty to the charges. G.O.B. says that it is therefore, not known at this time the nature of the charge or whether it is related to Verde’s employment with the Government. In the meantime, Verde’s employment status will be put before the Public Services Commission for determination if he will continue in the service. The F.B.I. has offered that Verde was arrested for his alleged interference with commerce by means of extortion and attempted extortion.