Couple in major Ponzi scheme now facing 52 charges

Cuban national Garcia Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael, who are currently before the court for several charges in relation to allegedly swindling millions of dollars from Guyanese in a major Ponzi scheme, was on Wednesday slapped with 11 more charges bringing the total number of charges filed so far to 52.

Dominguez, 34 and Ishmael, 32, of Track ‘A’ Coldingen, East Coast Demerara are associated with Accelerated Capital Firm and appeared via Skype before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

Particulars of the charges alleged that between May and July 2020 with intent to commit a felony, the couple conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total sum of over $75M from the 11 victims under false pretence.

The couple was charged jointly and was not required to plead to the charges; they were represented by Attorneys-at-law Glen Hanoman and Dexter Todd.

The duo was released on $3.3M bail each and the case was adjourned until September 7.

On Tuesday, the couple appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Sparandaam Magistrate’s Court on 12 similar charges.

Particulars of the charges alleged that between May and July 2020 with intent to commit a felony, the couple conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total sum of over $30M from the 12 victims under false pretence.

The couple was charged jointly and was not required to plead to the charges; they were released on $3.6M bail each and the case was adjourned until September 21.

On Monday, the couple appeared before City Magistrate Leron Daly to answer 10 similar charges.

Particulars of the charges alleged that between May and July 2020 with intent to commit a felony, the couple conspired with persons known and unknown to obtain a total sum of over $60M from the 10 victims under false pretence.

The couple was charged jointly and pleaded not guilty to the charges; they were released on $1M bail each and the case was adjourned until October 5, 2020.

Last week, the couple was slapped with 19 similar charges before two Magistrates.

While they were granted $3.9 million bail for 13 of the charges at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court, they were remanded to prison for six of the charges by Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court.

The first set of 13 charges were read by Magistrate Marissa Mittelholzer and the particulars alleged that between May and July 2020, the couple obtained a total sum of $24.7M from the 13 victims under false pretence.

Bail was granted in the sum of $3.9M and this case is adjourned to September 18, 2020.

Meanwhile, six similar charges were read via Skype by Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Court and alleged that they obtained over $1M from the victims under false pretence.

For these charges, they were remanded to prison until September 21, 2020.