At 8:30 this morning, former PUP Cabinet Minister, Caribbean Shores Area Representative, and Belize City Mayor Joe Coye surrendered to police at their Queen’s Street Station. A warrant had been issued for Coye’s arrest based on a complaint from businessman Alfred Schakron. Schakron alleges that he was induced to pay Jose Coye – as former Caribbean Shores Area Representative - $575,000 for the “Putt-Putt” property. All payments were allegedly made through Coye’s driver, Kornel Flowers.
Coye allegedly returned $300,000 to Schakron after the election. But the $275,000 is allegedly still outstanding and that’s why Schakron went to police. Both Coye and Flowers faced the court and our cameras this morning. Our coverage begins at the police station.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning former PUP Minister Joe Coye had no comment as he along with his driver Kornel Flowers, flanked by attorney Godfrey Smith and his son Warren Coye, left the Queen’s Street Police Station. Coye and Flowers had just been formally charged for theft and obtaining property by deception.
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno, Lead Investigator
“There is a complaint that sometime in the month of June last year he was given certain sums of money for some plot of land in the King’s
Park in Belize City and for that money that was given to him, he had not given any receipts. So basically that money is a total sum of $275,000 Belize currency.”
Keith Swift,
What has Mr. Coye told you?
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“I have not spoken to Mr. Coye because Mr. Coye has attained his attorney and he is not saying anything at this time. The charges are theft and obtaining property by deception.”
Ann-Marie Williams, News 5
“Is it jointly with the driver?”
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“Yes, both of them. His driver and Mr. Coye are charged, Kornel Flowers and Mr. Coye are both charged for theft and obtaining property by deception. Like I said I don’t want to go into specifics. The investigation is ongoing and I would not want to jeopardize the trial at this time.”
Keith Swift,
So he has not given even a statement?
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“No because they attained the attorney and of course the attorney will advise them not to give back a statement and he has done so and so they have not spoken to me. They are being processed at this time, taking his prints, his photograph and from there he goes on to court.”
Coye and Flowers were brought here to the Magistrate’s Court where they were each charged with one count of obtaining property by deception and theft. No plea was taken because the matters are indictable and they were both released on bail of $25,000 each plus a surety in the same amount. As he left the courtroom – Coye had one thing to say.
Jose Coye, Charged for Theft
“I am innocent of the charges. The matter is now before the court
and I intend to put my faith in the justice system.”
And while Coye had nothing more to say, his lead attorney Godfrey Smith says Coye’s arrest is a part of government’s witch hunt.
Godfrey Smith, Attorney for Coye & Flowers
“At this time this is what I have to say. Mr. Joe Coye and Mr. Kornel Flowers are innocent of the charges of theft and obtaining property by false deception that has been brought against them. I will go further to say that it is the easiest thing for a state, a government, that is bent on a political witch hunt to bring malicious and false charges as they have brought. It is quite another thing to prove those charges in court. We of course intend to vigorously battle and oppose those charges. We are very confident that those charges won’t stick. But then again the idea by the government is not to secure a conviction, it is to smear the reputation of two innocent people, one a former political opponent; that is the objective. The objective is not to secure a conviction and we are very confident that the charges won’t hold. That is all that I am prepared to say at this time.”
And while that was it, we couldn’t help but notice Coye’s special treatment. At no point was the former minister in police custody. He didn’t leave the police station in handcuffs and left the Magistrate’s Court – the same way he entered. But chief investigator – Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno doesn’t consider it special treatment.
Keith Swift,
Sir is there a reason why Mr. Coye wasn’t brought to the police station like a normal person charged for a crime like this would?
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“I will not explain that. I do things different, if anybody else does it that way then they are answerable for that but I do things differently.”
Keith Swift,
It appears that he got special treatment.
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“I was the case officer and I decided to do it this way and this is solely my decision.”
Keith Swift,
Any reason why?
Sr. Supt. James Magdaleno,
“No, that is my decision.”
Coye is due back in court on July 10th. Reporting for 7NEWS, Keith Swift.
Coye and Flowers are being defended by both Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson and Godfrey Smith. As we mentioned the case has been adjourned to July 10th. In court, Smith asked Senior Magistrate Dorothy Flowers for immediate disclosure and for an earlier adjournment date. He’s pushing to have it dealt with expeditiously.
