Michael Shane Sookhoo, 31, appeared yesterday before Acting Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magis-trate’s Court, to answer to charges of fraudulent conversion totalling $6 million.
Sookhoo, who operates a construction business, is accused of misappropriating funds entrusted to him for construction projects.
According to the prosecution, Sookhoo was entrusted by Jasoda Kissoon with $2.428 million on January 18, 2022, and again on April 26, 2022, to build a house which he allegedly converted to his personal use. Additionally, he faces charges of misusing $4.1 million given by Abdool Salim between October 1, 2021, and May 23, 2022, also for construction purposes.
Sookhoo pleaded not guilty to both charges. His attorney, George Thomas, in his application for bail, emphasised his client’s willingness to surrender any travel documents and comply with any court-imposed reporting requirements.
However, the prosecutor opposed bail, citing the fact that Sookhoo missed a prior court date in 2023, leading to the case being initially struck out. It was further alleged that Sookhoo provided an incorrect address to the police and had multiple summonses served after being arrested on a separate offence.
Sookhoo denied falsifying his address, claiming he was arrested at the same location listed in court records. Thomas also stated that he was unaware of any served summonses.
Considering the prosecutor’s concerns and Sookhoo’s previous court absence, Magistrate McGusty denied bail and Sookhoo was remanded to prison.
His next scheduled court appearance is on November 20.
