A 64 year-old Belgian national has been granted US$115,000 bail after he appeared in court charged with defrauding five foreign nationals out of more than half a million dollars.
The prosecution alleges that Jean-Paul Michielsen, who has permanent residency status here, was paid US$547, 234.20 to held the five foreign nationals get immigration status in The Bahamas.
Michielsen allegedly received the money between November 2023 and December 2024. He turned himself in to police after a wanted poster was issued for him last week.
He denied the charges of fraud by false pretenses at his arraignment before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly-Burrows and after being granted bail must wear an ankle bracelet as a condition of his release.
The matter is scheduled for trial on April 22 and 23 next year.