The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Former realtor Daisymae Johnson will have to pay more than $144,000 in restitution to the 21 persons she stole money from in 2008 as part of the conditions of a plea agreement reached with the prosecution in the Supreme Court.

Johnson, 58, pleaded guilty to 10 counts of stealing by reason of service on Monday, foregoing a trial. She returned to court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to the remaining 11 counts.

Instead of the maximum of 10 years, the court imposed a six-year custodial sentence, which was suspended for two years so that Johnson could repay the monies.

She has to make payments over a 22-month period to the Supreme Court, starting on November 19, 2012.

If Johnson fails to pay, she would immediately start serving the six-year sentence.

Johnson, who operated a real estate company without a licence, stole a total of $144,785.34 between December 2007 and December 2008, from persons who made cash deposits to her on homes and lots that she never delivered.

Attorney Elliot Lockhart represented Johnson. Prosecutor Darrell Taylor of the Attorney General’s Office appeared for the Crown.

Before the start of her trial, Johnson approached the prosecution and expressed a desire of entering into a plea agreement.

Prosecutor Taylor told the court that Gibraltar Real Estate company, which was located at Logwood Road, commenced operation sometime in 2008.

Johnson, who was operating the company, applied to the Grand Bahama Development Company to develop 22 lots in the Heritage West Subdivision, but her request was denied.

Despite not having a licence, Taylor said Johnson went ahead with the company and offered house and lot packages, ranging from $109,000 to $179,000, to the public.

Persons making deposits to Johnson on the homes were given receipts. They were promised that the homes would be constructed in three months.

The police received 21 complaints of stealing against Johnson between March 23, 2009 and November 13, 2009.

Prosecutor Taylor said during the course of police investigations it was discovered that the Gibraltar did not own the properties, and was not authorized to sell them.

She said it was further discovered that six of the properties that Johnson was showing persons and offering for sale were owned by Coral KFL Contractors.

Although the company never gave Gibraltar Real Estate company authorization to sell the six properties or conduct business on their behalf, Ms Taylor said Johnson went ahead anyway.

Senior Justice Hartman Longley told Johnson that she must comply with the terms of the plea agreement reached with the prosecution, which includes restitution of the sum of $144,785.34, which is the composite sum of the 21 counts of stealing by reason of service.

He said she must pay a monthly sum of $6,855 to the Supreme Court, starting on November 19, on the second Monday of each month until the final payment is made.

Justice Longley said the payments would be disbursed to persons on a percentage basis.

He stated that if Johnson defaults on three consecutive payments she would immediately commence serving the six-year sentence imposed by the court.

On repayment of the $144,000, Justice Longley said Johnson would serve two years of community service for two hours weekly.

At the end of the two years of community service, he said Johnson would be given a conditional discharge.

Justice Longley ordered Johnson to report to the Cable Beach Police Station every Monday before 6pm.

He said that if she fails to do so, the terms of the plea agreement would be made void and she would have to serve the six-year sentence.

After leaving the courtroom, Johnson did not wish to comment and directed reporters to speak with her attorney. Mr Lockhart said he felt the court made the right decision.