Report: Former #2 Taxman Reynaldo Verde Sentenced

He was the country's #2 in charge of tax collection, and in 2019, Reynaldo Verde was caught in a sting operation allegedly trying to shake down a US tourism investor over tax matters. And now - reports say - Reynaldo Verde has agreed to a plea bargain in the US where he has been in Federal prison for 2 years.

Breaking Belize News reports that Verde pleaded guilty to count two on his indictment which is 'attempted interference with commerce by extortion' in the US District Court of Southern Florida.

The maximum penalty for that offence is 20 years in prison, but, reports say, Verde may be able to get between 2-5 years, based on the pleas bargain. BBN reports that he could be looking at a release date of early 2022.