PLAYWRIGHT LLOYD Reckord testified in court on Tuesday how attorney-at-law Sonia Jones told him money he gave her to invest was "safe as D&G".

Reckord was giving evidence under examination by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewelyn, assisted by Crown Counsel Laurel Gregg.

Jones is charged with two counts of fraudulent conversion after artist Colin Garland and Reckord told police that in 1992 and 1995 they gave her US$50,000 and US$33,749 respectively, to invest in a package yielding 22 per cent per annum.

They said the investment was not realised and their money was not refunded despite numerous requests.

Bad payments

Continuing his evidence, Reckord said in 1995 US$33,749 was transferred from his Cayman account and was given to Jones for her to invest on the same terms on which she had previously invested money for him. The terms included a 22 per cent interest return on the investment in a St. Andrew apartment.

He however, said payments were often irregular and inaccurate until they stopped in April 1997.

Reckord said when payments became irregular, he asked Jones to show him details of the investment.

He said it was after pressing her several times that she divulged that the money was invested in Seascape Hotel in Negril, Westmoreland.

He said Jones faxed him an accounting statement, but he said he discovered several discrepancies in it. The prosecution also tendered a document (exhibit #5) Jones faxed to Reckord in which she stated that she was "professionally and personally liable" for the money Garland and Reckord gave her to invest.

No ill will

On the same fax, Jones told Reckord that the money would yield nine per cent interest per annum as of February 1, 1995. However, Reckord told the court he and Jones only discussed a 22 per cent return on his investment.

Cross examined by attorney-at-law Frank Phipps, Q.C., Reckord denied a suggestion that he wanted to tarnish Jones' character because he was not going to get 22 per cent interest payment on his investment.

He said he never had a discussion with her about any nine per cent return on his investment.

Reckord also testified he knew Jones for at least 20 years and bore no ill will towards her. He said he had even given her an antique clock for her birthday, that she had long admired in his house.

The matter continues on May 27 and 28 before Resident Magistrate Marcia Hughes in the St. Andrew RM Court at Half-Way Tree.