Vincy charged with fraud in B’dos tells his side of the story

Set up?

He pleaded guilty to a charge of fraud in Barbados two Fridays ago. Now, after being reprimanded and discharged, Maxton Joseph wants to clear the air surrounding his brush with the law.{{more}}

He believes he was set up!

Information coming out of Barbados states that Joseph, 22, of Victoria Village, admitted dishonestly obtaining accommodation from the Barbados Hilton to the tune of $575 by falsely representing that he was in possession of an American Express Card in the name of American Cantarelli A.C. and was authorised to use it.

When he appeared at the Barbados Traffic Court on Friday, August 8, Joseph told the magistrate that he used to work with the company and still maintained the card.

Relating his side of the story to SEARCHLIGHT, the young man said that he went to Barbados for an appointment with the US Embassy for the renewal of his visa. Joseph said he had been working with a yachting company in St Vincent for about a year as Managing Director and that he had stopped working there three months prior the incident. Joseph stated that even though he had stopped working at the company, he still remained close to the company and its owner who resides in Barbados.

Joseph related that his former boss had paid for his trip and made the reservations at the hotel. Joseph said while staying at the hotel, police officers showed up at his hotel room, shook his hand and inquired about him and his status with the company. “I was speechless at first when the officers showed up and completely oblivious as to why I was being taken to the police station,” Joseph recalled.

He said that it was his former boss who reported him to the authorities in Barbados. “This really did not make any sense to me, because he was the one who had made the arrangements for me in Barbados,” he added.

However, Joseph said that he takes full responsibility for his actions, hence the reason for him pleading guilty to the charge. “I had no right to associate myself with a man who I stopped working for over three months ago and I still can’t understand why this would happen to me.”

Joseph, now employed as a Marketing Advisor, said he had no control over his situation and urged young people to think twice about whom they consider as friends and always do a thorough check of any company you may want to work with. “I see this as an eye opener for me because I was able to sit in the station and have conversations with convicted criminals and I really saw the reality of what young people are exposed to.”