By DENISE MAYCOCk
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE trial of four people accused in an alleged visa fraud scheme was again adjourned in Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Monday after two of the accused failed to appear, leaving the prosecution frustrated as a witness travelled from Florida for the third time to testify.
Clevette Simmons and Margaret Matthew were absent, while Gonessa Joseph and Mark Rolle, who are also charged in the matter, were present.
Simmons, who works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New Providence, was reported to have been admitted to hospital. Matthew’s attorney, Ernie Wallace, submitted a medical certificate stating that his client was unfit from September 3 to 10.
The case involves allegations that the four conspired to defraud people seeking assistance with visa applications, including a church-linked effort to bring a Haitian pastor, his wife and their eight children to The Bahamas. The family allegedly paid $14,000 but never received the visas.
The trial began on January 26 before Magistrate Charlton Smith. The Haitian family is among multiple alleged victims in the case.
Prosecutor Superintendent Veron Rolle expressed frustration over the repeated delays, noting that witness Guerda Monestine paid for a round-trip ticket to travel from Miami to The Bahamas for the proceedings for the third time.
“The only person who suffers, Your Worship, is the prosecution,” Supt Rolle said, warning that continued delays could eventually result in the matter being dismissed.
Magistrate Smith said he was also concerned about the repeated medical excuses, noting that Matthew had previously been reported hospitalised.
“I’m always concerned when a sick certificate appears just at the start of trial,” the magistrate said, while acknowledging that some medical certificates are genuine and must be accepted at face value.
Supt Rolle said Matthew’s latest certificate was obtained on Friday, shortly before the trial was due to begin on Monday.
Mr Wallace defended his client, saying Matthew, 60, had been seriously ill for several months and had suffered a heart attack and stroke. He said she also has a serious diabetic condition and is under the care of internal medicine specialist Dr Stubbs.
Mr Wallace said he could not say whether Matthew would recover sufficiently to attend the trial or other matters before the court in which she is charged.
Joseph told the court that Matthew is her mother and had suffered a stroke while in police custody. She said her mother could no longer walk and also has a heart condition.
Three prosecution witnesses who appeared in court were ordered to return when the trial resumes on November 9 and 10 at 10am.
Matthew also faces an alleged housing fraud matter scheduled for October 13, 14 and 15.
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