Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator

Government officials are investigating reports that Robert Rainford, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, bailed former Cash Plus boss Carlos Hill in 2010.

Rainford was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Justice three years ago when he bailed Hill who is facing fraud charges.

The disclosure was made in the Home Circuit Court on Monday during a bail application for Hill.

The Gleaner was informed yesterday that a request was made by a government department for the notes of the proceedings in court on Monday.

Hill is facing fraud charges and is to return to the Home Circuit Court on May 17.

On Monday, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn discontinued Hill's trial which began last week Monday because of complaints by Hill's lawyers Valerie Neita-Robertson and Deborah Martin. They said the serving of documents and material by the prosecution on the defence during the trial and the amendment of particulars in the indictment were severely hampering them in preparing Hill's defence.

Hill was arrested shortly after Justice Paulette Williams told him he was free to go because the DPP had stopped the trial.

A bail application was made before Justice Lloyd Hibbert and it was at that time it was disclosed that Rainford was his surety.

Justice Hibbert, in granting Hill bail in the sum of $15 million with surety, had said that Rainford could be accepted again as his surety.

Hill is charged with fraudulently inducing and fraudulently attempting to induce persons to invest in Cash Plus Ltd and Cash Plus Group.