A husband and wife were yesterday charged with stealing more than $300,000 from Emerald Capital International Ltd.

Antoinette Bolden, 45, and her husband David Bolden, 46, were together charged with 24 offences involving $366,000, allegedly taken from the company they founded.

Crown prosecutor Cindy Clarke detailed 18 charges of stealing cash and six charges of money laundering against the pair in Magistrates' Court. The thefts are said to have occurred between May 2007 and January 30 2009. Emerald was launched by the couple in 1992, offering pension and investment funds management, investment advisory services and equity trading services.

Winding-up proceedings have started against Emerald Capital Investment Ltd., Directrade Ltd., Emerald Financial Ltd. and Emerald Investment Management Ltd. four entities owned by the group.

Administrators responsible for the liquidation said last Friday they are "hopeful" that many investors will get their money back. Mrs. Bolden, the company's managing director, was arrested on July 2.

Her husband, who is the company's President, was arrested two days later.

Officers met Mr. Bolden, a Canadian citizen, at L.F. Wade International Airport as he re-entered the Island on a Miami flight.

The charges are indictable, so neither of the accused was asked to offer a plea.

The Hamilton Parish couple was represented by lawyer Delroy Duncan.

They were released on $25,000 bail each, with a $25,000 surety, and ordered to surrender their travel documents.

The Boldens were ordered to appear at Hamilton Police Station every two weeks, and to reappear in Magistrates' Court for mention on August 13.