Rommel Sofia, an accountant for Island Services BVI Limited, has been accused of stealing $24,499.63 from the company.

Mr. Sofia, a native of the Philippines, appeared at the Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to face charges of theft, false accounting, and concealing and transferring proceeds of criminal conduct.

Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards explained that the offences are indictable, as they are “very serious matters.”

According to Crown Counsel Garcia Kelly, Mr. Sofia’s supervisor suspected that he was not following proper business procedures, and therefore enlisted the help of others to check over his work.

The check allegedly revealed that Mr. Sofia acquired $24,499.63 from the company between April 1 and May 15.

The Crown claimed that the defendant falsified documents, such as balance sheets and receipt books, and was only depositing 45 percent of the daily cash receipts that were recorded by cashiers.

He stole the remaining cash, the prosecutor alleged.

When Mr. Sofia returned from a vacation on July 1, he was taken to the Road Town Police Station and interviewed, Mr. Kelly said.

The prosecutor claimed that the defendant initially denied the accusations, but returned to the police station on July 2 and admitted he had stolen the money to invest in stocks and expand his jewellery business in the Philippines.

Mr. Sofia, who said he has a hearing impairment, sat near the prosecutor as the charges were discussed on Tuesday.

The defendant, who is represented by attorney Stephen Daniels, was remanded into custody and ordered to return to court on July 24.