Michael Coye, 66, and his daughter Melonie Coye, along with two of their employees, Athlee Matute and Deitrick Kingston, were convicted of money laundering on August 3, 2012. On August 8, 2012, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ordered fines of $25,000 to be paid by Kingston and Matute. The Coyes, however, were both sentenced to a 3-year jail term, and a fine of $25,000 was also imposed on Michael Coye.

But for Melonie Coye, whom the CJ considered to be the mastermind behind the entire scheme, a stiffer fine of $50,000 was imposed, which has to be paid within one year of her release from prison.

The mitigation plea for Michael Coye before his sentencing was mostly based on his age and ailing health, especially his diabetes.

Last week, Arthur Saldivar, attorney for Michael Coye, made an application to the Court of Appeal for bail on behalf of Coye, raising the same concern of health, and stating that he has been declared legally blind by a doctor.

However, that application was denied today by Justice Awich, who told the court that there was not sufficient evidence presented to the court. He further said that his reasons for denying the bail will be provided at a later date.

Saldivar was not present in court today for the ruling, but attorney Bryan Neal appeared in court on his behalf. Coye was able to speak with the media before being taken back to prison, and he expressed his dismay, stating, “I paid a local attorney to defend me and today he failed to show up, hence, we got Bryan Neal to assist us. It’s a shame what was done to us, but as sick as I am, I will survive.”

This isn’t the first attempt that has been made to secure bail for Coye; his lawyer had made an application for bail while the appeal to the Court of Appeal was pending, but it was also denied. This second attempt was based on Coye’s health – his diabetes and legal blindness, in particular.

Michael and Melonie Coye have already served nine months of their 3-year sentence.