Hillman coming Monday to face charges

Although he was granted bail, Hillman was ordered not to leave the United States. Newsday learnt that Trinidad and Tobago police will travel to Florida on Monday morning where Hillman will be handed over to them by US Marshals at the Miami International Airport.

On Monday, Hillman appeared before magistrate Judge Barry Garber in the United States Southern District of Florida Court. He was represented by two lawyers — David Razumna, of New York, and Arthur C Koski, of Baton Racon, Florida.

Yesterday, there was a surprise for all at the court when Trinidad lawyers Pamela Elder SC and Owen Hinds Jr turned up to assist the defence at the hearing.

Elder and Hinds flew in on Tuesday and appeared at the courthouse at 301 North Miami Avenue.

The case was called at 10 am with assistant district attorney Barbara Martinez appearing for the US government. She requested that the room be cleared for the court to deal with the issue of bail.

The magistrate judge cleared the room, but the matter was later stood down to 1.30 pm. When it resumed, the matter was heard "in camera."

Just the lawyers and the accused remained in court with the security officials.

The hearing ended at 3.30 pm with magistrate Judge Garber granting Hillman bail in the sum of US$250,000.

However, the presiding officer ordered that the matter be sealed, meaning that the details of the "in camera" proceedings cannot be reported or released to the public.

No one was able to say if Hillman was released on bail right away, or whether he had to return to the Miami Federal Detention Centre.

On Monday, Razumna asked for substantial bail to be granted to his client, adding that Hillman owned properties in Coral Gables and Key Biscayne, Florida. He also pointed out that Hillman was 70 years of age, and was born in Cuba, but is now a well-respected United States citizen.

Assistant district attorney Barbara Martinez objected to bail on the ground that Hillman was a flight risk. She said there was a prior agreement for Hillman to surrender, but he failed to do so. She said when Hillman was arrested at Miami International Airport last Friday afternoon, he was in possession of two valid US passports.

Three foreigners were wanted in connection with the Piarco probe. Raul Gutierrez surrendered to the TT police several months ago and was granted $2 million bail. He was represented by Elder on several occasions since his surrender. There is now a warrant out for Ronald Birk.

The three foreigners are charged jointly with ten other persons — Steve Ferguson, Ish Galbaransingh, Amrith Maharaj, Brian Kuei Tung, Sadiq Baksh, Ameer Edoo, Tyrone Gopee, Peter Cateau, Edward Bayley and Renee Pierre.

Five companies were also charged with the offences. The preliminary inquiry has been adjourned to September.