Charges of tax evasionand theft brought over two years ago against Harlequin Hotels and Resorts and Harlequin Property SVG Ltd.principal David Ames of Buccama Resort fame werewithdrawn by prosecuting authorities when the matter was called yesterday at theKingstown Magistrate Court on Monday.
In June 2016, Ames was charged that: between February 1st and December 31st, 2011, he stole the sum of$1,739,524.00, the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines;between February 1st and December 31st, 2011, he stole the sum of $397,615.00, the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines; between February 1st and December 31st, 2011, he willfully evaded the assessment payment or collection of VAT in the amountof $808,405.00; between January 1st and December 31st, 2012, he stole the sum of $886,818.05, the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines; between January 1st and December 31st, 2012, he stole the sum of $404,740.09; the property of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines; between January 1st and December 31st, 2012, he failed to pay the Comptroller of Inland Revenue the amount of $886,818.05 deducted from remuneration paid to employees; between February 1st and December 31st, 2012, he willfully evaded the assessment payment or collection of value added tax inthe amount of $2,754,132.00: and between January 1st and December 31st, 2013, he failed to pay the Comptroller of Inland Revenue the amount of $404,740.09 deducted from remuneration paid to employees.
Tax evasion charges were also brought against the late Samuel
Days before he was scheduled to appear before the court in Kingstown on the criminal charges, Amesfled the country by speedboat from Chateaubelair which is a designated port ofentry. As a result of him absconding the jurisdiction, the court issued awarrant for his arrest.
Letters were written to the prosecuting authorities indicating that he had to seek medical attention abroad.