Paul Charles (31) of Haitian descent who defrauded several government agencies in the Bahamas in an attempt to gain legal status in the country was convicted this week.

During his appearance last week before Chief Justice Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, the prosecution said Charles fraudulently obtained a referral form from the Criminal Records Office and then a work permit from the Immigration Department as well as a National Insurance Board NIB smart card using false pretenses. He also fraudulently obtained a learner's permit from the Department of Road Traffic in the name of Berdy Jean and attempted to obtain Bahamian naturalization under this pseudonym. At the time of his arrest he was in possession of a passport with a false name.

After pleading guilty to these offenses Charles returned this week to hear his conviction.

Charles' lawyer, Me K Melvin Munroe tried to pity the Magistrate by explaining that Charles, who had no criminal record, had left Haiti because he was looking for a better way of life and wanted to help his brothers and sisters remained in the country and asked court to show leniency and take into account the circumstances when pronouncing his judgment.

In response, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she found Charles's actions "flagrant" and that they "called into question what makes a Bahamian a Bahamian." As a result, she found Charles guilty of fraud by false pretenses, attempted fraud by false pretenses and possession of false documents and imposed a total fine of $10,500 on him for these offenses as well as 6 months in prison. he must serve before being returned to Haiti. The magistrate clarified that if Charles did not pay his fines before the end of his imprisonment, he would risk spending an additional year behind bars.

In handing down her sentence Ferguson-Prat said she wanted to send a clear message that the court was "angered by such forms of illegality".

S/ HaitiLibre