Italian accused of bribing cop arrested
WESTERN BUREAU — Raoul Ricchiuti, an Italian accused of trying to bribe a police officer to secure his friend’s release from jail, was on yesterday granted bail in the sum of half-a-million dollars.
Meanwhile his friend, on whose behalf he allegedly attempted to bribe the policeman, was fined $100 for possession of an ounce of ganja plus an additional $1,000 to cover the costs of the Lucea Resident Magistrate’s Court.
The 40 year-old Ricchiuti was charged with attempted bribery after his friend, Mass Imiliano Colamgelo, was arrested and charged for possession of just over an ounce of ganja on Wednesday.
The two men, Observer sources said yesterday, are married to Jamaican women and have lived on the island for about six years. They currently reside in Negril’s West End.
At about 1:30 pm Wednesday, the two Italians, who operate a restaurant in the resort town, were reportedly driving along the West End main road when they were stopped by the police.
The lawmen later conducted a search and four packets of ganja were found in 30 year-old Colamgelo’s possession. As a result of the find he was taken to the police station where he was charged for possession of the illegal substance.
Later that day Ricchiuti turned up at the police station and allegedly offered the police $5,000 in exchange for Colamgelo’s release. But his action landed him behind bars with his friend.
Observer sources said yesterday that had it not been for his attorney, Delford Morgan who pleaded with the court to offer him bail, he would still be behind bars. He is to reappear before the court on March 26.