Justice Nigel Pilgrim has ordered the forfeiture of a property belonging to Ivan Ayuso, a former employee of the National Sports Council, who pleaded guilty to money laundering and theft of over one million dollars from the public purse. The ruling, delivered two days ago in the High Court, marks one of the first post-conviction forfeiture applications in the country.
Ayuso used his position to authorize salary overpayments to himself - to a total of over one million dollars which he embezzled from the Sports Council. As part of a plea agreement in September 2024, he admitted using the stolen funds to pay off the mortgage on his home on Jack Fruit Crescent in Belama Phase 2. The property, valued at $635,000 with a forced sale value of $585,000, will now be forfeited, with 70% of the money awarded to GOB's Confiscated and Forfeited Assets Fund and 30% awarded to Ayuso's ex wife's legal fees.
The FIU will have sole control over the property until its sale and will be responsible for maintenance and security. A report hearing is scheduled for September 23, 2025, to review the sale's progress. If the property is sold before this date, an earlier hearing may be requested.
Ayuso is currently incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison and attended the court proceedings virtually. He was represented by attorneys Darrell Bradley and Kimberly Wallace, while his ex-wife, an interested party in the proceedings, was represented by attorney Erin Quiros.
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