EMBATTLED ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Michael Simmons returned to Barbados on the weekend.
Simmons, who left Barbados 18 years ago for the United States, was among mourners paying last respects yesterday to his sister Letitia Simmons – a former nurse – at her funeral at the Whitehall Methodist Church in St Michael.
It was Simmons’ first public appearance in Barbados since he reportedly left behind a $2.5 million-plus debt to 47 creditors, after being declared bankrupt by former High Court judge Justice Elliott Belgrave in January 1993.
The attorney is also reported to have owed the Barbados National Bank (BNB) and Government’s Inland Revenue Department several thousands of dollars.
A warrant for his arrest for fraudulently converting over $90 000 entrusted to him had been withdrawn after the sum was paid, but shortly after his disappearance, then police public relation’s officer Inspector Jeddar Robinson had indicated Simmons was being sought by lawmen for questioning in connection with a number of other criminal matters they were investigating.
No warrants were outstanding at the time.
However, the High Court in his absence had also granted an application for his committal to prison following a suit brought against him by one of his clients.
Efforts to reach Director of Public Prosecutions?Charles Leacock for comment on Simmons’ status proved futile yesterday.
When contacted, Commissioner of Police Darwin Dottin said the matter had been drawn to his attention and he had asked for a review of the file.
Former Solicitor General Woodbine Davis, who had been appointed official assignee and receiver in his investigation of Simmons, had publicly declared there had been little chance of recovering the $2.5 million debt left behind.
He then also reported recovering approximately 110 files and title deeds which had belonged to Simmons’ clients both in Barbados and overseas.
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