MONTEGO BAY, St James — A St James motorist who seemingly thought a $10,000 “tip” tucked inside his car papers could smooth over a traffic stop ended up learning that bribery comes with a far steeper price tag — $75,000 in fines.

Eric Buchanan was hit with the costly reality check when he appeared before Judge Natiesha Fairclough-Hylton in the St James Parish Court last Wednesday on a bribery charge.

The date of the incident was not disclosed.

The court was told that police, while on mobile patrol, saw Buchanan disobeying a one-way traffic sign. He was stopped and asked to produce his driver’s licence and related documents. At that stage, it was discovered that he did not have a valid insurance certificate or a valid certificate of fitness for the vehicle.

He was instructed to provide the required documents. When Buchanan later presented some paperwork, the cop reportedly noticed two $5,000 bills wrapped inside the insurance cover note. It is further alleged that Buchanan then said, “Officer, yuh done see wha a gwaan? Tek this and gwaan officer, yuh done see wha a gwaan.”

Buchanan was immediately arrested and charged.

In court, when questioned by Justice Fairclough-Hylton, Buchanan denied any intent to bribe the cop, insisting it was a misunderstanding. He described the presentation of the money as a “gesture”. He then gave an explanation that was at times unclear and difficult to follow, stating that it was raining, that he believed the cop was assisting him as he exited a car park, and that he was simply rewarding the lawman for help.

The court, however, did not accept his explanation.

In passing sentence, Justice Fairclough-Hylton imposed a $30,000 fine or 30 days for bribery, $20,000 or 10 days for no insurance coverage, $17,000 or 10 days for no valid certificate of fitness, and $8,000 or 10 days for disobeying the one-way traffic sign.