Attorney Charged With Fraud

Ralph Jan Ward, 50, was charged with stealing by reason of employment and fraudulent breach of trust.

He was arraigned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Carolita Bethel.

It is alleged that between January 4, 2007 and June 20, 2007, Ward stole $55,100 cash from Wayde Wilson by reason of employment.

The Cloisters, Paradise Island resident was not required to enter a plea and is expected to return to court on November 30.

At that time, the matter will proceed by a voluntary bill of indictment, which bypasses a preliminary inquiry and essentially fast tracks the matter to the Supreme Court.

Until then, he remains on $50,000 bail and has to report to the Paradise Island Police Station every Saturday before 6:00 p.m. and cannot leave the country.

Ward was represented by J. Henry Bostwick and Gregory Hilton.

Inspector Ercell Dorsett prosecuted the matter.

Last April, Ward was charged with stealing 500,000 pounds or US$986,446.39 on January 26, 2008, from Robert James Lloyd by reason of service.

Ward, was also charged with stealing 350,000 pounds – roughly US$690,594.66 – on March 24, 2008, from Pochins Plc.

Pochins is a British construction and development group that undertakes design and builds projects and traditional contracting together with industrial, commercial and residential property development.