THE operator of a used car dealership, who attempted to defraud the National Commercial Bank (NCB) of $6 million using several fraudulent credit cards, will now have to fork out $500,000 or serve three years in prison for his crime.

Sean Green, a 42-year-old St Catherine businessman, was yesterday sentenced by Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Green was ordered to pay a fine of $100,000 each on two counts of conspiracy to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence and $50,000 each on two counts of money laundering. Each of the sentences attracted a six-month sentence, which he will serve if the fines are not paid.

Green was initially charged with 131 counts of conspiracy to defraud, 71 counts of obtaining money by false pretence and three counts of money laundering. He, however, pleaded guilty to the counts on which he had been sentenced and the remaining charges were withdrawn.

The businessman was arrested on April 26 this year after he attempted to defraud NCB of more than $6 million, using a number of fraudulent credit cards. He was successful in getting a little over $500,000, which he transferred to his account and later withdrew $168,262.50, the court was told. However, he later refunded the bank amount that he had gotten unlawfully.

Yesterday, before a distressed-looking Green was sentenced, his pastor, Frank Otter and Justice of the Peace Yvonne Campbell both testified to his good character, claiming that they were both taken by surprise on hearing the news of his arrest. Both asked for him to be given a non-custodial sentence.

Green’s lawyer Michael Deans also begged the magistrate to be as lenient as possible and give him a non-custodial sentence.

The magistrate in handing down her sentence then told the court that she had taken into consideration the kinds words which were expressed by Otter and Green, Green’s guilty plea and the fact that he had made restitution.