Did Reynaldo Verde Have an Accomplice?
Reynaldo Verde
Reynaldo Verde remains locked up in the U.S. on charges of extortion and attempted extortion having been denied bail on Wednesday. His attorney, Tyler Trumbach, says that his client denies all accusations. The F.B.I., however, has amassed damning evidence against Verde who reportedly attempted to use his position as Deputy Director of Belize Tax Services to financially gain from the principal of Orchid Bay Development, Chris Williams. The initial contact between Williams and Verde was made via a middle man. This would mean that Verde was not acting alone. The charges against the senior public officer have given Belize a black eye and prompted comment from both sides of the aisle. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked about the possibility of other public officers involved in the plot to allegedly extort Williams.
Dean Barrow
Reporter
“Is it then worrisome that there may be other people in your government that may be involved?”
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“It is not my government. When you talk about my government people are like to think that you are talking about the executive. These are public officers that are members of the government. I repeat what I said early, the bulk of police officers are good people. But they are the bad apples and to the extent that other bad apples could in fact be discovered could be pinpointed, that would be good I think for all concerned.”
Julius Espat
Julius Espat, Deputy Leader, P.U.P.
“I will affect us international; investors will look twice before they look at Belize. It looks bad at our administration because they are highlighting senior member of government’s staff. It gives insecurity to the local business investors because they experience it more that everybody else and now the Belizean people are becoming aware. We’ll see what happens. But it is like what the Prime Minister said in the past, he does not want to tangle with the F.T.C. well I don’t think they want to tangle with the F.B.I. either.”
