Former gov’t minister granted bail on fraud-related charges

NASSAU (CMC):

Former youth, sports and culture minister, Lanisha Rolle, was Wednesday granted US$120,000 bail and will reappear in court on May 31, after she was charged with fraudulently awarding contracts in excess of US$700,000

Rolle faced one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences when she appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans, concerning contracts valued at $711,989.56.

Rolle’s husband, Vontenken Rolle, is charged along with her on one count of conspiracy to defraud the government out of US$168,000 regarding the award of a contract, while her uncle, Alfred Mortimer, faces a charge of bribery. He’s accused of offering an advantage to help G and L landscaping procure a contract at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex.

Godfrey Burrows is accused of fraudulently obtaining US$34,690 for a contract issued to Miller’s Masonry and Carpentry for work at the South Beach Pools.

Burrows and Wilfred Rolle Jr are charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences in relation to that contract.

The charges relate to Rolle’s time as a government minister between 2019 and 2021. Her husband was granted US$50,000 bail and their co-accused were each granted US$10,000 bail.

The accused were later informed that the case would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment, which is scheduled for May 31.