KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prominent real estate attorney Jennifer Messado, who is accused of attempting to sell a church property without the owner’s consent, was today offered bail in the sum of $800,000 in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

Messado is charged with two counts of forgery, two counts of uttering forged documents, conspiracy to defraud, causing money to be paid out by forged document and money laundering.

The conditions of her bail are that she reports daily at Constant Spring Police Station, surrender travel documents with stop order in place as well as a curfew order.

Meanwhile, her co-accused Beverley Bakarrat, who is charged with conspiracy to defraud, was offered bail at $50,000 with one surety.

According to Judge Maxine Ellis, the low bail amount was based on the fact that there was nothing substantial in the allegation to indicate that Bakarrat, a real estate broker,  actively participated in the alleged fraud.

According to investigators, on December 20, 2017, Messado prepared an agreement of sale for two parcels of land without the knowledge and consent of the owner.

It is alleged that Messado forged the signature of the trustee, along with the stamp and letterhead of the owner of the properties, to facilitate the fraudulent transaction, and collected US$270,000 as down payment from the prospective purchaser.

Both women are to return to court July 3.

Tanesha Mundle