News Americas, TAMPA, FL, Fri. April 12, 2013: The Guyana-born owner of the now defunct airline, EZJet, has had his trial date further extended.
Sonny Ramdeo, a Florida resident, on Thursday had his trial date reset to October 21, 2013. This is the second time Ramdeo’s trial date has been reset. The first was to April 22nd from March 17, 2013.
A new judge has also taken over the case. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman has now been assigned to the case. Ramdeo first appeared before Judge James M. Hopkins.
Val Rodriguez is now his new defense consul and Ellen Cohen will lead the case for the U.S. prosecution. Rodriguez requested a 60-90 day continuance.
Ramdeo is accused of embezzling $20 million from his former employer in a payroll tax fraud scheme from as early as 2005 from Promise Healthcare Inc. and Success Healthcare Group, where he worked as the payroll supervisor.
As the payroll supervisor for both companies, Ramdeo managed the payroll for more than 3,500 employees in hospitals nationwide. Federal officials say Ramdeo incorporated PayServ Tax Inc., and told the hospital chains he would handle the transfer of local, state and federal payroll taxes to the proper agencies on their behalf. Instead, authorities say, he kept the money.
In October, Promise Healthcare filed a lawsuit accusing Ramdeo of embezzling more than $5 million to keep his airline afloat.
Ramdeo, 35, who started EZJet last year, as the cheaper alternative to fly on the New York to Guyana route, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
EZJet collapsed last November. EZJet follows the trail of former national carrier, New Age Air Services, Guyana Air 2002, Guyana Airways and Universal Airlines, which all went belly up. North American airlines, which flew to Guyana for many years, pulled out to serve certain U.S. government agencies.
The Guyana government has since given Caribbean Airlines flagship carrier status for the South American nation.
