She's alleged to be a major land fraudster and Doris Grant was in court today to answer to 14 counts of theft, 14 counts of obtaining property by deception, and 12 counts of obtaining money transfer by deception.
That's after she reportedly swindled over $120,000 from a woman in the US. According to the woman, she entered into a business transaction to buy a plot of land from Grant. As it turns out, Grant did not actually own the land, but still collected the money.
However, her attorney, Richard "Dickie" Bradley says that despite the charges, Grant did not sign to receive any money, which would have been transferred through an electronic service, like Moneygram. He spoke to us this afternoon before the case.
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney
"The charges are that one a 2-3 years period a person from America made a complaint sometime last year that she was introduced to someone by the name of Beverly Williams who indicated to her because apparently she wanted to buy a land of whatever that they can assist her in buying the land so she is talking to Beverly Williams, she only learnt about Doris Grant long afterwards, somebody told her, no it's not that person, that's somebody different then she says in her complaint that she was made to deal with some Ingram, it's not fair to be calling names, I think somebody said not to call any names, but she was to be dealing with some Ingram and then she was sending money off and on over the period. Didn't send any money to Ms Grant who is charged, Ms Grant signed for no money over the two and a half years or whatever how long it is. And then here are the charges, there are 14 charges of theft, money, there are about 14 charges that monies were sent through the mail, like moneygram, none of those have Ms Grant's signature, none."
And he also complained that his client was held in police custody for four days before she was brought to court.
Richard "Dickie" Bradley, Attorney
"Ms Grant is more than likely going to sue the police department. She was detained after 3:00 on Wednesday of last week and has been in custody since then which we are taking Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and now half day Monday and this is not a regular law, this is the constitution of Belize said that, and in any case, meaning that no matter what happens, take the citizen to court not more than 48 hours after they have been detained or arrested and this is sheer malice and worthlessness to have kept this person in lock up, having doctor papers that she's a diabetic patient and the fact that the complaint had been made from last year. There's no reason why they couldn't have, in the age of computer, make up the charge sheet, charge her and take her to court. It's a bailable offense."
We note that Grant also fainted while in police custody.
Grant was finally taken into the courtroom at around 2:30 this afternoon. Magistrate Lois Young offered her bail in the sum of $50,000, plus one surety. She was required to surrender her travel documents and she must report to the police station once a week. Her next court date is set for July 19th.
