A husband and wife were charged this morning with stealing more than $300,000 from the Emerald Financial Group.

The company’s managing director Antoinette Bolden, 45, and its president, David Bolden, 46, were charged in Magistrates’ Court.

They are together charged with 24 counts of theft, 18 charges of stealing cash and six charges of concealing property, in this case cash, for the purposes of avoiding prosecution.

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

According to the charges, the thefts occurred between November 6, 2008 and January 30 of this year.

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 four entities owned by the group — Emerald Capital Investment Ltd., Directrade Ltd., Emerald Financial Ltd. and Emerald Investment Management Ltd.

The Hamilton Parish couple was released on bail and ordered to appear at Hamilton Police Station every two weeks. They will reappear for mention on August 13.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.