Filipino accountant jailed, accused of theft in Virgin Islands

Filipino Rommel Sofia is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his employer Island Services BVI. PHOTO BY VINOROAD TOWN, Virgin Islands –A Filipino accountant on July 7 appeared before Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, accused of stealing some $24,500 from his employer between April 1 and May 15 this year.

ROAD TOWN, Virgin Islands –A Filipino accountant on July 7 appeared before Magistrate Tamia N. Richards, accused of stealing some $24,500 from his employer between April 1 and May 15 this year.

Rommel Sofia, who was employed by Island Services Limited in Pasea Estate, Tortola, ‎faces three charges of theft, false accounting and concealing and transferring allegedly stolen money from the territory, according to a report by Virgin Islands News Online.

Sofia allegedly stole an average of $675 daily and reportedly confessed to police. According to Senior Crown Counsel Garcia Kirt Kelly it was company Managing Director Nelda Farrington who prompted an investigation and the subsequent arrest of Sofia.

As the Island Services’ accountant, Sofia’s task was based on certain procedures. Farrington discovered that Sofia was not carrying out the procedures properly by allegedly not accurately reporting and recording the daily proceeds, but was stealing the money under the cover of items being returned by customers.

Sofia was on vacation in the Philippines during the investigations and was arrested on his return to the Virgin Islands on July 1. He at first denied the allegations against him, but voluntarily returned to the Road Town Police Station July 2 and allegedly confessed.

Sofia told the investigating officers that he had bought a farm and residential lots and private properties in the Philippines and stole the money to keep up with the mortgage payments. He also used some of the money to expand a jewelry business he owns.

Sofia was kept in detention and is to return to court on July 24 for further court proceedings.

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