BUSINESSMAN DEFRAUDS SINGER DENYQUE OF $1M!

A Westmoreland businessman accused of defrauding dancehall singer Denyque of $1 million was remanded when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Judith Pusey in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

He is Andre Poorman, 38, of Chantilly district. He is scheduled to return to court on February 19.

According to court documents, Denyque (given name Denyque Dontre) paid a manager’s cheque of $1 million on behalf of her father to Poorman, who had advertisted an investment opportunity with Ideal Car Rental Services.

Poorman told the artist that he had bought Ideal Car Rentals and would be merging it with his company, Whitavon Tours and Shuttle Services. As result, he was seeking investors. It is alleged Poorman told her that he had a fleet of seven cars and wanted to increase it to 10. The singer was presented with a contract, which she reviewed and signed.

The contract stated she would receive $80,000 monthly on her investment. Failing that, she could request a refund of the money. Poorman, however, failed to honor his obligations.

When the matter was mentioned on Monday, the prosecutor informed the court that Poorman had similar cases in St James.

The accused did not deny or confirm the reports nor did he address the allegations. He instead requested a week to finalise his legal representation. He was, however, remanded.

— By Tanesha Mundle