How is the Coye family going to pay for funeral arrangements?

MICHAEL COYE

The family of businessman Michael Coye, who succumbed to a massive heart attack on Tuesday night just days after being released from the Belize Central Prison, is cash strapped and urgently requests that the Financial Intelligence Unit releases funds from bank accounts which have been frozen since 2009.  The family has been living in dire straits and is in need of money to cover the final expenses of their loved one.  The sixty-seven-year-old former proprietor of Money Exchange International was granted bail by the Court of Appeal last Thursday after spending a year and eight months in jail.  Along with his daughter Melonie, who has also been released on bail, Michael Coye was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison in August 2012 for money laundering.  While in prison Coye’s medical condition deteriorated, his affliction with diabetes resulting in loss of sight.  This afternoon, accompanied by attorney Arthur Saldivar, members of the family visited the FIU.

Arthur Saldivar, Attorney for the Coye Family

ARTHUR SALDIVAR

“Ms. Coye was granted bail by the Court of Appeal yesterday and in lieu of that and the fact that her father is now deceased a pressing issue for the family is to seek the ability to arrange a funeral for Mr. Coye.  That said, as all their assets had been frozen from 2009 to now, funds that were taken from the house and all other assets in the bank, unrelated to the case, were frozen.  I came over to the FIU building to seek an audience with Ms. Williams, the director who is presently still inside the building.  When I came earlier today I was told that the lawyers for the FIU are handling the matter so I was referred to Mrs. Tricia Pitts-Anderson.  I went over to her office only to be told that it’s going to be the director who is going to be dealing with it.  So instead of playing this yoyo and going back and forth, I am back here right now waiting for the director to show herself and come out of the building, as I believe she is presently investigating Mr. Penner and Minister Castro.  So I will not try to disrupt her at this time while she is going through that very important investigation and wait until she has time so that I can find out from her if she will be so kind as to allow this family to access their funds to bury their father and husband.”

Isani Cayetano

“One can assume that it has been rather difficult for the family since all access to what monies they have in the accounts have been frozen.  Do you know how your clients have been surviving in terms of dealing with bills and what-have-you?”

Arthur Saldivar

“By the grace of God and friends.  That has been how Mrs. Marlene Coye has survived.  Mrs. Marlene Coye has been very strong in trying to maintain her dignity and integrity throughout this entire ordeal.”

According to Saldivar he left the FIU offices just before five o’clock this evening and still did not see the director, Marilyn Williams.