‘Chinee’ acquitted of money laundering charges in US
Prominent Guyanese businessman, Hareshnarine Sugrim, called ‘Chinee’ who was charged in the United States for money laundering late last year, was acquitted of all charges by Nassau District Attorney earlier this week.
After nine months of thorough investigation, this newspaper understands that the businessman was absolved; he was declared free of guilt, obligation or punishment last Thursday.
According to reports, Sugrim, who imports heavy duty mining and other equipment, was detained at the JFK Airport on November 3, last year by the Nassau District County Police Department and was read money laundering charges the following day.
The businessman, who has operations and properties in Berbice and Demerara, was reportedly accused of laundering US$500,000. He was placed on US$1M bail following his appearance in the New York court.
Based on previous reports, Sugrim had travelled to Florida on business. From there he subsequently took a flight to New York. It was while he was in the parking lot, outside of JFK Airport, that he was approached by officers from Nassau County.
Yesterday, the businessman expressed relief that the investigations were over. He added that he holds no ‘malice’ against the authorities since he understands that ‘they have to do their work’. However; the man says that he was embarrassed by the reports that were being peddled in the media and would like that the same prominence be given now that he has been found innocent.
He stated that the “same persons” who were going around talking ill things about him even though investigations were being conducted should retract their statements now that the situation has cleared up.