7 News Belize

Reynaldo Verde’s Attorney Disputes Charges
posted (September 18, 2019)
Belize's Deputy Tax Service Director, 46 year old Reynaldo Verde remains in a federal holding facility in the USA. The FBI says he is facing charges for his alleged interference with commerce by means of extortion and attempted extortion.

But, up until now, no one knew for sure what he was detained for. Tonight though, more is known after we spoke to his Florida based attorney, Tyler Trumbach.

Trumbach confirmed that Verde is at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia - and is being held for a month before transfer to the southern District of Florida where he will be tried. The charges stem from an allegation made by principals of a real estate development in Corozal called Punta Allegre.

Trumbach spoke to Verde today and gave us the latest about the charges and Verde's state of mind:..

Tyler Trumbach, Verde's Attorney
"Right now we are still dealing with the indictment. The government is not giving me access. At the point we are at the waiting game until the indictment to find out exactly what the allegations are against him. Unfortunately, we are stuck in a legal limbo right now, even I am stuck because I don't have direct access to the complaint or the indictment. However, my client has had a chance to read it because they gave it to him. We know that these allegations involve extortion. That's what the government is claiming, that's what they are charging him with and related to a Punta Alegre development in Corozal Belize. My client has received no funds or money in any way from any officer or director or owner of Punta Alegre development in Belize. There was never any money received or any bribe or extortion from this company. In fact, he was approached by the owner of Punta Alegre development to where to get the company registered with the tax commission."

Reporter
"These people from Punta Alegre, these developers, they did have conversations with Mr. Verde."

Tyler Trumbach, Verde's Attorney
"They did had conversations with Mr. Verde."

Reporter
"Did they try to induce him to do certain favours on their behalf?"

Tyler Trumbach, Verde's Attorney
"Again, I cannot answer those questions, because I do not have the complaint or the allegations against him, but I can tell you that it was Punta Alegre that reached out to Mr. Verde and not the other way around. Punta Alegre reached out to Mr. Verde and offered him a salary, to figure out a way to reduce the tax liability and tax burden. Mr. Verde insisted that the owners of Punta Alegre registered the company in Belize so that they could pay their taxes. Mr. Verde insisted that they register and pay their taxes."

Reporter
"What is his state of mind at this time?"

Tyler Trumbach, Verde's Attorney
"Mr. Verde he is in very good spirit. He is being treated very well at the jail at the facility in Virginia, he has access to television and things like that. After he is transferred to Florida he will be eligible for bond and the transfer period could take anywhere couple weeks to a month, we really don't know, but once he arrives in Florida he will be eligible for bond and most likely get bond. He does have family here, places to stay, so he will be out on bond hopefully pretty soon."

Trumbach says Verde will be eligible for bond in a month.

As has been reported, Verde was detained by authorities in the USA on Saturday, September 7th, 2019.He was transiting through the United States on his return to Belize from Brussels, after attending a taxation workshop organized by an international tax organization.

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