Lanisha Rolle, Her Husband and Others Arraigned on Bribery, Fraud Related Charges

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Former Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle was arraigned on one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses with contracts amounting to nearly $800,000.

Rolle, her husband Vontenken Rolle, and three others – Alfred Milton Mortimer, Godfrey Luke Burrows, and Wilfred Rolle Jr – were not required to enter a plea as they were arraigned before Justice Carolyn Vogt-Evans on Wednesday.

Rolle was charged with bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses in connection with the procurement of a contract for $48,303.74 for the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex Project.

She was also charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses for another contract at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex Project.

The former Cabinet minister was also charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses in connection with 10 contracts issued by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture at the South Beach Pools.

She is also accused of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses in connection with a contract at the National Tennis Center Grounds and Baseball Stadium Grounds for $228,000.

They did not have to enter pleas to the charges.

Rolle was granted $150,000 bail with two to five suretors, and is required to sign in at the Western Police Station on the last Monday of each month before 7pm.

Her husband was granted $50,000 bail with similar conditions.

Mortimer, Burrows, and Rolle were all granted $10,000 bail and are required to sign in at their nearest police station every month.

They will return to court on May 31 for a voluntary bill of indictment which will fast-track the matter to the Supreme Court.