National

Fmr Cabinet Minister Arraigned on Bribery and Fraud Charges

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A former Free National Movement Cabinet minister charged, Wednesday, along with her husband and three others.

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2023

Marlena Leonard

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A former Free National Movement Cabinet minister charged, Wednesday, along with her husband and three others.

Lanisha Rolle has to now answer to more than a dozen bribery and fraud-related charges.

The former Youth, Sports and Culture Minister resigned from that cabinet post on February 23, 2021.

Today, she stood in court before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans to answer to more than a dozen bribery and fraud-related charges.

Rolle faces one count of bribery, and 13 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses.

The charges are surrounding contracts for projects on the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, the South Beach Pool, and the Kendall G. I. Isaacs Gymnasium, totalling more than $700,000.

Her 13th count of conspiracy to commit fraud was shared with her husband Vontenken Rolle, for the handling of a contract worth $168,000 for work on the Kendal Isaacs Gym.

Three others were arraigned – Alfred Mortimer for bribery, Godfrey Burrows and Wilfred Rolle Jr – Vontenken’s uncle – with conspiracy to commit fraud.

Godfrey Burrows also faces fraud by false pretenses.

All were granted bail and not required to plead

Lanisha Rolle’s bail was set at $150,000, with two to five sureties. She reports to the Western Police Station the last Monday of the month.

Her husband’s bail was set at $50,000, with one to two sureties and he also reports into the police monthly.

Bail was set at $10,000 each for Mortimer, Burrows, and Wilfred Rolle Jr.

All three must report into the Elizabeth Estates, Grove and Carmichael Road police stations monthly.

They are back in court May 31 for a voluntary bill of indictment.