Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Operator of Higgins Warner investment club, Emile Max Higgins, has reportedly failed to comply with a Supreme Court order to repay US$42,000 (approximately J$2.7 million), plus interest in the sum of J$14.8 million, to a local investor.

The judgment was granted by the civil division of the court on October 24, 2007, to Kingston businessman Aldbury Hunter, who invested his money with Emile Maxmillion Saint Patrick Higgins (T/A Warner Music Entertainment Limited), an Argentina-based corporation, on June 24, 2005.

Mr. Hunter, who is represented by attorney Audre Reynolds, of Patrick Bailey and Company, told The Gleaner that, since he was 'tricked' into handing over his money to Mr. Higgins, he has neither received any interest nor his initial investment.

Didn't attend court

As a result, he filed a lawsuit to try to recover his losses. However, he said Mr. Higgins never turned up for any of the court hearings and instead communicated with him via email.

In a telephone interview on Tuesday morning, Max Higgins said he was aware of the case brought before the courts by Mr. Hunter but that the money had never been given to him.

"The money was given to a prominent Kingston businessman who was an agent representing my company and that person gave me a cheque of US$1.5 million (J$105 million), which was a bad cheque," Mr. Higgins said.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com