Attorney Patrick Bailey files lawsuit over fraud case

Prominent attorney-at-law Patrick Bailey, who was freed last month of fraud charges, has filed a lawsuit seeking millions in damages against four defendants including the Government.

The defendants are real estate agent Stafford Dixon, who was the complainant in the case against him, head of the Fraud Squad, Superintendent Anthony McLaughlin, Clerk of the Court, Channa Ormsby, and the Attorney General.

Bailey was arrested and charged in March 2015 with conspiracy to defraud and forgery.

Bailey explained that the clerk of the courts was sued for misfeasance because of the way the case was handled and contends that the clerk did not seek guidance from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Bailey is seeking damages against all the defendants for malicious prosecution as well as special damages of $2.5 million dollars.

He is seeking damages against Superintendent McLaughlin and the Attorney General for false imprisonment.

Bailey is also seeking aggravated damages.

It is Bailey's contention that from the time he was arrested and charged to the time of his acquittal, he suffered anxiety, mental and emotional distress, sleep disturbance, loss of appetite, social withdrawal, demotivation, and demoralisation.

Bailey, who has been an attorney since 1977, says the incident has adversely affected his law practice.

The court found last month that Bailey was not guilty of allegations that he defrauded Dixon arising from the handling of a land transaction and joint venture development in St Catherine.

It was alleged that the project failed because Bailey allegedly forged a transfer certificate which resulted in Dixon losing the 22-acre property but the court ruled that Bailey was not guilty.

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