Harlequin nears liquidation after court refuses more time

By Kirsten Hastings, 27 Feb 17

Beleaguered overseas investment scheme Harlequin Property SVG is a step closer to liquidation after the High Court in St Vincent and the Grenadines refused to grant more time for the managers to file their proposal to creditors.

Serious Fraud Office

Ames was charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) on 17 February. He is scheduled to appear between before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 22 March.

The charges relate to activity between January 2010 and June 2015.

Speaking to International Adviser on 17 February, Ames “vehemently denies any wrongdoing”, blaming the misappropriation of funds from Harlequin on its former building contractor Padraig O’Halloran and accountants Wilkins Kennedy.

According to Searchlight, Ames also faces several charges in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) relating to theft and tax evasion of almost XC$7m (£2.1m, $2.6m, €2.4m).