Charges against Dave Ames withdrawn

The answer tax evasion and theft charges against Britain-born naturalised Vincentian businessman, Dave Ames, have been withdrawn.

The charges, which were brought in June 2016, were withdrawn on Monday at the Kingstown Magistrate’ Court, where they were called for yet another time.

Ames, who fled St. Vincent and the Grenadines as prosecutors moved in on him, has never appeared before the court in connection with the charges.

iWitness News understands that the Crown decided to withdraw the charges, rather than risk have them dismissed by the court.

If the charges are dismissed, they cannot be brought back at a later date, unlike if they are withdrawn.

In June 2016, Ames left St. Vincent in a speedboat via the Chateaubelair Port, two days before he was summoned to appear in court.

His lawyer in Britain later wrote to say that he was ill with a chest condition and was not well enough to travel back to St. Vincent and asked for an adjournment, which was granted.

The Crown has brought eight charges tax evasion and theft charges against Ames and four tax evasion charges against his lawyer, Samuel Commissiong — who has since died,

Ames, who was born in the United Kingdom and also has Vincentian citizenship, is founder of Harlequin Hotels and Resorts, then parent company of Buccament Bay Resort Ltd. and Harlequin Property SVG Ltd.

The trustees in bankruptcy have since awarded another entity the management of the resort, which has been closed for two years.

Commissiong is lawyer and company secretary for both Buccament Bay Resort Ltd. and Harlequin Property SVG Ltd.

Ames is charged that:

• between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011, he stole the sum of $397,615 — the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines;
• between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, he stole the sum of $886,818.05 — the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines;
• between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011, he stole the sum of $1,739,524 — the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines
• between Jan. and Dec. 31, 2012, he stole the sum of $404,740.09 — the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines;
• between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, he failed to pay the Comptroller of Inland Revenue the amount of $886,818.05 deducted from remuneration paid to employees;
• between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2013, he failed to pay the Comptroller of Inland Revenue the amount of $404,740.09 deducted from remuneration paid to employees;
• between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31, 2011, he willfully evaded the assessment payment or collection of VAT in the amount of $808,405;
• and that between Feb. 1 and Dec. 31, 2012, he willfully evaded the assessment payment or collection of value added tax in the amount of $2,754,132.