Dubbed by the US government as the leader of an extensive mortgage fraud scheme, Guyanese businessman Ed Ahmad was yesterday jailed by a New York court for two years for attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud in a case that attracted interest here because of his links to former president Bharrat Jagdeo.
Ahmad had hoped for a non-custodial sentenced after cooperating with the US government in successfully prosecuting former New York State Senator John Sampson but a crucial lapse sunk his chances and Judge Dora Irizarry found him not to be remorseful. During his testimony in the Sampson case, prosecutors learnt that Ahmad had violated the terms of his bond by pledging an encumbered property. There were also questions about the veracity of his tax returns. These transgressions appeared to have led him to jail time.
The New York Newsday reported yesterday that
