NASSAU, BAHAMAS- Former Immigration Officer 31-year old Edwin Morely pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud yesterday before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson- Pratt.
Morley appeared alongside 48-year old Clive Schrouder who also plead not guilty to a similar charge.
Prosecutors allege that both men conspired to commit fraud under false pretenses on March 15th 2019 and defrauded Jamal Forbes of $2,000 by means of false pretenses.
The Former Immigration Officer was also expected to be charged with bribery, however a discrepancy pointed out by his attorney, Ian Cargill, prevented that proceeding.
According to prosecutors, Morely while serving as a public servant and without lawful authority, allegedly accepted funds as an inducement for preventing the deportation of two foreign nationals.
Cargill however argued that the charge was ambiguous and that his client was the one being bribed.
In order to allow prosecutors time to review and clarify the charge, Magistrate Ferguson Pratt set the matter down for a status hearing on September 2, 2019.
Both men were denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections
