MONTEGO BAY, St James — A woman accused of submitting a valuation for almost double what the property is actually worth is to r
eturn to court next month to answer charges of uttering a forged document.

“It is a matter I am minded to transfer out of the parish, since it is going to trial,” Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton said during Desreen Clarke’s first appearance in the St James Parish Court last Wednesday.

She extended Clarke’s bail until October 1, which is also the new date for case management.

Attorney Charles Sinclair represents the defendant; however attorney Shelly-Ann Hyman appeared on his behalf during last week’s proceedings.

The charge stems from Clarke’s attempt to act as surety for two individuals in custody. On May 27 she allegedly submitted paperwork, including a valuation report purportedly from a Montego Bay loss-adjusting firm, which listed the property’s market value at $880,000.

Investigators later uncovered a major discrepancy: The property’s actual market value was $470,000 — nearly half of what the report claimed. Clarke was subsequently arrested and charged.