Real estate broker denies $100k theft

Cayman Islands courthouse, George Town

(CNS): A 75-year-old real estate broker has denied stealing almost $100,000 worth of deposits given to him by customers who were buying condos from him. Antonio Paolini, who is an American national, pleaded not guilty on Friday to two counts of theft of deposits worth over $51,000 and $43,000 and one charge of money laundering in connection with a wire transfer of over $1,100.Paolini was first charged last year with a single count of theft relating to a deposit stolen in February 2013 but a second indictment was joined to that count on Friday in relation to an alleged theft in November 2014 in similar circumstances to the original offence charged, the crown claimed.

A four-day trial has now been scheduled for April next year and Paolini was bailed to appear at trial.