Money laundering cases in court
Two of the country’s biggest money laundering cases went before the courts today. The manager/owner of Omni Networks and Fultec Systems, Dean Fuller is charged with laundering over six point five million dollars between October ninth 2007 and January first 2009. Fuller’s case is linked to the identity theft of numerous drivers from the Belize City Council’s Driver’s License data base. In certain US states where gambling is illegal, American’s were using the names of Belizeans on online gaming sites. The funds would allegedly be funneled through a series of companies related to Fuller. This morning Fuller appeared in court with his new attorney, Eamon Courtenay, who asked for full disclosure of evidence against his client. Magistrate Frazer granted that the information should be provided by October thirtieth. The case has been adjourned until November fourth. His company, Omni Networks, was the master agent for MoneyGram International in Belize. However, when Omni Networks was still in charge, a sub-agent of MoneyGram, Money Exchange International which is owned by the Coye family was also named in a money laundering scandal. Police found one point five million dollars stashed inside a suitcase in one of the bedrooms of the Coye family. That case was also heard in court today. Attorney for the Coye family, Arthur Saldivar, says that there is a matter that he has requested the Magistrate to consider before the case proceeds.
Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for Coye Family
“Well today, as you know Jose, the date was set for a preliminary inquiry to take place. However on instruction of our clients, the defense had a submission to make to the magistrate. One which will require her to deliberate over for a period of time and we believe now that on Monday we shall reconvene to go forward.”
Jose Sanchez
“What was the matter that made it necessary to adjourn?”
Arthur Saldivar
“Well it’s matters in chambers. As you know it is private. It’s not something that we want disclosed in a public forum. It is something for the magistrate to determine and I will respect her right to conduct those deliberations without the influence of the media or the public.”
Jose Sanchez
“There is some talk in legal circles that this case is going to be thrown out for lack of evidence.”
Arthur Saldivar
“I can not speak to that. I take everything as it comes and whatever opportunities are there will be, you know, looked at.”
Jose Sanchez
“Are you still of the opinion that the real person behind this money scandal is yet to come out or is someone else other than your clients?”
Arthur Saldivar
“Certainly that is not only my belief, but the belief widely held by my clients. They were not in the position to do the things they were accused of doing. And ahm they never had that intent. So, they believe that they were wrongly accused. And this is one of the reasons why in our democracy we have recourse to the courts to prove the innocence. Well not necessarily prove the innocence as our constitution provides; you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Though Saldivar wouldn’t comment, News Five has been reliably informed that there is only one virtual complainant against Melonie, Jude and their parents, Marlene and Michael Coye, Anthony Matute and James Gerou. It is alleged that a former employee of the Coye family, is the prosecution’s key witness. This person allegedly also worked for one of Dean Fuller’s company’s Fulton DataPro. And now since a new Master Agent has been named for MoneyGram International, reports are that the complainant is also connected to the new master agent.
