A taxi driver, who is alleged to have fraudulently converted funds given to him to buy spare parts, was on Friday released on $60,000 bail after he denied the charge.
The charge against Michael Belle, 54, of East La Penitence, stated that on November 16, he fraudulently converted $95,000 to his own use and benefit, which was the property of Dianne Persaud, who entrusted the money solely to him.
Belle, the court heard from Prosecutor Deniro Jones, collected the money from Persaud to buy spare parts for a motor vehicle and they were supposed to be subsequently delivered to her but instead he used the money.
The unrepresented man pleaded not guilty to the charge which was read to him by magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
He was granted $60,000 bail, after Jones raised no objections.
When Belle was told of the amount at which bail was set, he begged the magistrate to have it reduced. She was, however, unmoved by his petition and told him to “borrow the money,” since taxi drivers might make more money during the holiday season.
His matter was adjourned for January 5, for the filing of statements.
