Former Attorney Takes Plea Deal In $1.7M Case

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A former attorney who stole $1.7 million from his clients has taken a plea deal that requires him to repay the money and serve 18 months in prison.

Ralph Jan Ward pleaded guilty to eight counts of stealing by reason of service and eight counts of fraudulent breach of trust when he appeared before Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson, marking the second time he’s pleaded guilty to the offenses.

In 2011, Ward pleaded guilty to the charges and was allowed to remain on bail in order to repay his victims.

However, there was no formal plea agreement and Ward withdrew his guilty pleas when he returned to court to give an update on the status of the repayments.

Ward then launched a series of legal challenges aimed at stopping the trial completely.

The Privy Council refused ward leave to appeal last December.

Under the plea agreement, Ward has nine months to make restitution of $1.8 million, which includes 2.5% interest, to his victims.

At the end of the nine months, Ward will surrender to the court to begin serving his prison sentence at The Bahamas Department of Corrections

On the other hand, if Ward defaults on the restitution payments, he will be jailed for four years.

In the meantime, he remains free on $100,000 bail.