RAY Morgan, the man charged with defrauding reggae singer Marcia Griffiths out of $4.8 million, will begin making payments to her next Thursday, after pleading guilty in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court in Half-Way-Tree on Tuesday.

The accused pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretence when he appeared before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole Montaque. He was represented by Orville Morgan.

According to police reports, Morgan told Griffiths that he and his partners could lend her US$500,000 to purchase a property. However, she would have to pay US$30,000 plus $250,000 for fees and stamp duty.

The “Reggae Queen” realised something was amiss after paying over the monies.

Morgan had previously served 12 years in prison in four counts of fraud.

Griffith’s recording career began at Studio One in the rocksteady era in the 1960s. There, she recorded a number of dance hits including Feel Like Jumping, Melody Life, and Really Together (with Bob Andy).

A highlight of her career came in the 1970s when she toured and recorded as a member of the I Three, Bob Marley’s harmony group.

Her hit songs include Stepping Outa Babylon, Dreamland, and Electric Boogie.

— Kediesha Perry