Prosecutors make progress on former CLICO chairman’s case file

The case file on former CLICO Chairman Leroy Coleridge Parris, who is accused of fraud at the now collapsed insurance company, is at an “advanced” stage.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Trevor Blackman gave that update to Magistrate Manila Renee on Tuesday when Parris’ case was called.

The 76-year-old of Dayrells Heights, St Michael has been before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court since June 2020 on multiple charges, including theft, fraud and money laundering.

He has been on $1.5 million bail since his first appearance. On Tuesday, his attorney Hal Gollop Q.C. made an application for the bail conditions to be adjusted, which was granted by the magistrate.

Previously, Parris had to report to the Glebe Police Station every Monday and Friday before noon, with valid identification. He will now report only on Fridays before 6 p.m.

The former insurance executive is accused of stealing $3.33 million belonging to CLICO International Life Insurance Limited, between December 1, 2008, and April 27, 2009.

It is further alleged that during that period, he conspired with other persons to defraud CLICO International Life Insurance Limited of the same amount by inducing the insurance company to pay out the money to Thompson and Associates.

Parris is also charged that between April 1, 2009, and March 31, 2010, he conspired with others to cheat the Crown and the Commissioner of Inland Revenue of Public Revenue, by failing to submit tax returns to the Commissioner or account to the said Commissioner for taxes on his income for the year ending March 31, 2010.

He is also facing the allegation that between December 1, 2008, and April 27, 2009, he engaged in money laundering where he concealed $3.33 million, the proceeds of crime.

The matters are indictable and Parris is not required to plead before the Magistrates’ Court.

He will make his next court appearance on October 11.