Economist, Petra Williams was sentenced to pay a fine of $10,000 after pleading guilty to obtaining money by false pretenses stemming from a 2009 incident.
Williams borrowed $245,000 from a man after convincing him she could repay the money in a short period.
The court heard, she assured the lender she would have the money as she was about to close a deal on a land transaction and was expecting a loan from a bank.
When the money was not repaid, the complainant made several requests for the money to no avail and it was revealed Williams had no pending loan application.
During mitigation on June 14, her lawyer, Justice Simon, said Williams was remorseful.
In passing the sentence, the judge took into consideration that the 47-year-old is the primary caregiver for her 71-year-old mother and 18-year-old son.
The judge further considered that the defendant was a first-time offender and had made full restitution to the complainant.
He also noted she regularly volunteers her time and resources to helping the less fortunate in her community and the country.
William was ordered to pay the fine by the end of August or faces 12 months in prison.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
This should have never been a criminal case, it should be been resolved in civil court. Now anybody who is late paying a loan back in Antigua can be criminally charged, so it seems. Anyways, glad this issue has been resolved and it’s time for the news media to leave her alone, let her enjoy her life without further distress.
You are so correct but only a person who understands will understand. The individual was even receiving interest on the monies borrowed. The question is, since he took her to court under that charge should he then be made to return all money received above and beyond?
You’re looking at this situation from the wrong angle…the point is, she borrowed the money “lying” to the individual about how she would be able to return the money. It wasn’t just a simple overdue depth & Bringing this case to the civil court would’ve made it a much longer process…who knows when he’d Get his money.
You’re looking at this situation from the wrong angle…the point is, she borrowed the money “lying” to the individual about how she would be able to return the money. It wasn’t just a simple overdue depth & Bringing this case to the civil court would’ve made it a much longer process…who knows when he’d Get his money…
Happy that judge ruled reasonable and avoid her any custodial sentence. I think it’s a fair decision.
Thank God that common sense prevailed, and all concerned can move on with their lives. I am not in a position to determine ‘intent’ when the deal was consummated, but all monies were eventually repaid, and Petra, mother and son can finally breath a sigh of relief.
Well Petra, you can count your blessings for sure. And hope you stay out of troubles from now on. Perhaps Gaston can give you an assignment that will make you earn this money fast. Like write a whitepaper on Carnival Private Public Partnership. And how best to achieve that in 2020
why you so? Anyway all ideas contend
First time offender but has a history of swindling….
LMAO! You are the lone dissenting voice on here. She must be friends with the other commentators or buy their toilet paper for them.
Seems he REPUTATION precedes her.
Actually Hmmmmm,
The reputation that precedes her is one of bouncing cheques. But ppl are being polite as since 2014, she has been more credible.
THIS SHOULD BE A CIVIL MATTER AND NOT IN COURT. I AM HAPPY THAT THE JUDGE DID NOT SEND HER TO PRISON. NOW MS.WILLIAMS YOU CAN GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. YOU ARE A VERY INTELLIGENT PERSON. CONTINUE TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE.BLESSINGS.
As a laborite I wonder how will she be rewarded.
Labourite? Ms. Williams has described herself as “apolitical” on ABS election watch.
Only in Antigua. She rob the man of his money and everybody is sorry for her. What she did was commit fraud. She’s a fraudster and a criminal.
well if those 2 husband and wife police officers can be reinstated after being charged with fraud for the Costco situation in Connecticut, why not her? Remember the police command here was trying to keep it a hush-hush, but somehow it got out and ZDK broke the story. Robert and Monya Dyer luck bad. So is Petra Williams.
Comments are closed.