Travel Agent Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charges Involving More Than $44,000

A 50-year-old travel agent has pleaded guilty to four counts of fraudulent conversion in the High Court, admitting to offences that allegedly defrauded the government and two private individuals of more than $44,000.

Michelle Anthony, of Lightfoot, entered the guilty pleas before Justice John Spencer on Wednesday. The offences were committed at Old Parham Road and in St. John’s between 2022 and 2023. Sentencing has been scheduled for September 25.

According to Observer Media, the charges stem from allegations that Anthony fraudulently converted funds belonging to the government and two other victims. She was charged in December in connection with the matter.

The largest amount involved was more than $29,000, which investigators said was taken from the government in relation to the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission’s arrangements to send the Hells Gate Steel Orchestra, the reigning Panorama champions at the time, to New York for the city’s Antigua and Barbuda Day celebrations in August 2023.

The Festivals Commission had previously indicated that the loss caused major disruptions to its planned activities, including Labour Day celebrations in New York that year.

The prosecution also alleged that Anthony fraudulently converted several thousand dollars belonging to two other individuals during the same period.

The matter had previously been before the court for a committal hearing, which was adjourned to April 24 before Anthony ultimately entered guilty pleas to all four counts.

Justice Spencer adjourned the matter until September 25, when Anthony is expected to be sentenced.