Free after 92 days: Trinidadian says failed Belize job arrangement left him with $11,470 Golden Bay Hotel bill

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Trinidadian national Rubindra Dale Rampersad walked out of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court a free man on Friday after spending 92 days behind bars over an unpaid $11,470.24 hotel bill, and is now telling his side of the story.

The 46-year-old had been charged with making off without payment after allegedly leaving Golden Bay Hotel on May 29 without settling the bill accumulated during a month-long stay.

On Friday morning, a representative of Golden Bay Hotel confirmed to the court that the outstanding amount had been paid in full. Following a criminal mediation agreement, the charge against Rampersad was dismissed.

Rampersad, who appeared with attorney Kimberly Wallace of Lavenders Chambers, emerged from court shortly after midday and began his first interview as a free man by apologizing to our court reporter, whom he had treated disrespectfully during two previous court appearances.

He then sought to explain how he ended up in Belize and ultimately behind bars.

Rampersad said he travelled to Belize expecting to work in connection with the Millennium Challenge Account-Belize (MCA-Belize) programme. According to him, he had been promised approximately US$5,000 along with reimbursement of expenses, including his travel to Belize, but said the arrangement did not materialize as he had expected.

“I am no scam,” Rampersad said, maintaining that he travelled to Belize intending to work but found himself stranded without the financial support he expected.

His account is consistent with claims he made earlier in the case. News 5 reported in June that Rampersad alleged a procurement-related work arrangement included up to US$5,000 in relocation support, but that after he arrived he was told the reimbursement was not guaranteed. Police, meanwhile, said Golden Bay Hotel reported that a credit card used for the stay repeatedly failed and that Rampersad was intercepted at the airport after leaving the hotel without settling the bill.

MCA-Belize is the independent entity established to implement Belize’s US$125 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact, which focuses on education and energy. The organization has been publicly recruiting personnel for various positions throughout 2025 and 2026.

Rampersad was initially denied bail because the court considered him a flight risk, citing his lack of established ties to Belize. At subsequent hearings, the Chief Magistrate indicated bail could be considered if he secured a Belizean surety and confirmed prepaid accommodation, while his attorney, Darrell Bradley, pushed for the matter to be resolved through criminal mediation.

That mediation eventually succeeded, with Golden Bay agreeing to the settlement once its outstanding bill was paid.

Rampersad said he believes some of his constitutional rights were violated during his lengthy detention, though no court finding to that effect has been made.

Despite describing his incarceration as a difficult experience, Rampersad also spoke warmly about Belizeans and the people he met inside the Belize Central Prison.

“There are great people in prison,” he said, adding that he made friends during his more than three months behind bars and remains grateful to those who treated him well.

Rampersad leaves the ordeal without a criminal conviction in Belize and says he is simply happy to be free after 92 days in custody.

The post Free after 92 days: Trinidadian says failed Belize job arrangement left him with $11,470 Golden Bay Hotel bill appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.