British Man Accused Of Embezzling US$150m Drops Appeal

[webfact]

British suspect drops appeal

By KESINEE TAENGKHIO

THE NATION

A British man accused of embezzling US$150 million (Bt4.5 billion) from his employer in the United Arab Emirates has withdrawn his appeal against a Thai court's decision to extradite him to Dubai.

Michael Bryan Smith, 44, announced his decision at an Appeals Court hearing yesterday. The court was unable to ask the absent public prosecutor whether he objected to the withdrawal and postponed its decision.

Once the prosecutor is consulted, the case will be sent back to the Appeals Court for its ruling, which could take about one month.

The Briton is accused of forging documents and using them to transfer company money into his own account, embezzling $150 million from March 11 to May 31, 2008.

The charges are punishable by a three-year jail term according to Thai criminal code Articles 264, 268 and 341.

After Smith's arrest in Bangkok in May 2009, a Thai court ruled on February 18 last year that he be extradited to the UAE.

The ruling came despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries, as the UAE expressed willingness to extradite suspects to Thailand in future.

Throughout that trial, Smith maintained his innocence, claiming he quit the job in Dubai over a conflict with a company executive. He said he objected to the extradition order on the grounds that his disputant was an influential person in the country and he feared injustice.

-- The Nation 2011-03-10

[hkt83100]

the UAE expressed willingness to extradite suspects to Thailand in future.

Welcome Mr. T.

[Tatsujin]

dam_n . . . you beat me to it!

It perhaps does open doors to Mr T coming home at some point?

[Basil B]

The ruling came despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries, as the UAE expressed willingness to extradite suspects to Thailand in future.

Kind of reminds me of an agreement that we, Britain has with America whereby people can be extradited to America for alleged offences even though the crime did not happen in America.

This agreement was supposed to be reciprocal but America reneged

[Humphrey Bear]

Can't remember if they still chop hands in the UAE.

Certainly do in Saudi and Yemen.

How did the guy manage to steal 150 million in a couple of months? Seems completely illogical that a well-connected businessman would have that sort of fault in his accounting system.

(This does not presuppose that the suspect is guilty, but I assume that the money has been taken by someone)

[sirchai]

Can't remember if they still chop hands in the UAE.

Certainly do in Saudi and Yemen.

How did the guy manage to steal 150 million in a couple of months? Seems completely illogical that a well-connected businessman would have that sort of fault in his accounting system.

(This does not presuppose that the suspect is guilty, but I assume that the money has been taken by someone)

Why would you send the money to your own bank account? Hard to believe, but possible. $ 150 is good cash. :jap:

[bangon04]

"The Briton is accused of forging documents and using them to transfer company money into his own account, embezzling $150 million from March 11 to May 31, 2008.

The charges are punishable by a three-year jail term according to Thai criminal code Articles 264, 268 and 341."

3 years? If you are young and healthy enough, wouldn't 150 million (or more) be tempting? If you survived the jail time, it would set you up for life...

Only joking...

[bangon04]

Duplicate post for some reason I never understand..

[dudeinthailand]

The ruling came despite the lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries, as the UAE expressed willingness to extradite suspects to Thailand in future.

Kind of reminds me of an agreement that we, Britain has with America whereby people can be extradited to America for alleged offences even though the crime did not happen in America.

This agreement was supposed to be reciprocal but America reneged

America has 51 different court systems. The federal court and 50 state courts. Unless it was a federal court that denied extradition then it was not America that denied the extradition. Any state court can deny extradition if there are criminal charges on the state level. So it very well could be a "Texas" decision. What case in particular are you referring?

[rakCR]

So otherwise 3 years in jail in Thailand, huh?

Then still US$4,1 million a month or US$137000 a day sitting around - not a bad salary.

Of course the bribes to the wards have to be deducted...