Courts / Meath / Report
Businessman jailed over €1.4m money laundering scheme, while 'duped' fellow director avoids prison
Summary
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Wesley Williams (46) of Foxlodge Manor, Ratoath, Co Meath, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of making a gain for himself in a scheme that took place over a decade ago. His co-accused, Silvio Rabbitte (55) of Woodberry Gardens, Castleknock, Dublin, was given a fully-suspended sentence of two years after pleading guilty to one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014. Rabbitte's counsel argued that he had been 'duped' and should have known the scheme was 'too good to be true'. The court heard that Rabbitte received €350,000 from an account shared with Williams, as co-directors of One Stop Shop Catering Ltd, into which €1.4 million from German investors was transferred. The money was quickly dispersed, with Rabbitte receiving €350,000. Rabbitte was arrested, and a laptop containing phone call recordings was seized. The court heard that Rabbitte signed a contract before the money entered the account, which made it harder for Williams to be prosecuted. The matter was adjourned for mention in March to deal with an allegation of theft of a €15,000 watch faced by Williams. Simon Gold (59) of Windy Ridge House, Cartontroy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was jailed for seven years in 2019 after being found guilty of money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Businessman jailed over €1.4m money laundering scheme, while 'duped' fellow director avoids prison. Charges or matters: one count of making a gain for himself in the scheme which took place over a decade ago; one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014; was only recently offered to him. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- September 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 30, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 9 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 1, 2010 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 22, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-07 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of making a gain for himself in the scheme which took place over a decade ago; one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014; was only recently offered to him (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Photo: Collins) A businessman who laundered €1.4 million transferred from unwitting European investors a decade ago has been jailed, while his fellow company director who argued he was "duped" into becoming involved has escaped a prison sentence. His co-accused Silvio Rabbitte (55) was given a fully-suspended sentence of two years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after his counsel said he had been "duped" and ought to have known that the scheme was "too good to be true".
Defendant
Charges: was only recently offered to him (Proven)
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty
Convicted Person
Charges: one count of making a gain for himself in the scheme which took place over a decade ago; one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014; was only recently offered to him (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Wesley Williams (46) of Foxlodge Manor, Ratoath, Co Meath, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of making a gain for himself in the scheme which took place over a decade ago. His co-accused Silvio Rabbitte (55) was given a fully-suspended sentence of two years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after his counsel said he had been "duped" and ought to have known that the scheme was "too good to be true".
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Windy Ridge House
Topics
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