The Tribune

COLINA Mortgage Corporation is “puzzled” by a Grand Bahama homeowner’s persistence that more than $21,000 was stolen from him by four of the firm’s employees, despite two high courts rulings against his accusations.

In Freeport yesterday, the Families for Justice Organisation, under its president Rev Glenroy Bethel, took up the homeowner’s cause in a statement to the media. It was claimed that although the homeowner filed a complaint with the police in February no one has been arrested in connection with it.

“During the investigations by the police additional evidence was produced by the homeowner to support his claim of embezzlement,” the Families for Justice statement claimed.

“The homeowner provided the police with financial statements, to show as evidence that a few payments were made to Colina Mortgage Corporation by the homeowner. However, the payments were not recorded on the financial statement by Colina Mortgage Corporation,” said the statement.

It was also claimed that the homeowner provided “the information and evidence” to the Office of the Attorney General.

“From February to July, no one has been arrested, charged, or brought before the courts to answer to the complaint,” the statement alleged.

“The homeowner wants justice and wants an answer from the Minister of National Security (Bernard Nottage) and Minister of State (Keith Bell) as to why those employees have not been arrested and charged,” said the statement.

However, Ms Melanie Hucheson, corporate communications officer at Colina, denied the claims.

“Colina,” she said, “continues to be puzzled by Mr Bethel’s pursuit of this grievance, which has twice been vehemently struck down – once by the Supreme Court and subsequently by the Court of Appeal.

“The courts have in each instance found judgment in favour of Colina and we are satisfied that justice has been served. We view Mr Bethel’s statements at this time as defamatory and incendiary, and look forward to Mr Bethel’s compliance with the ruling of the court.”