Crime

Calford Charleswel, Accused Co-Conspirator In Scheme To Defraud Government, Pleads Guilty

ST. THOMAS -- One of the men accused of participating in a scheme to defraud the government through a property auction has admitted to his role in the conspiracy, V.I. Department of Justice Public Media Officer Corliss Smithen announced Wednesday. Calford Charleswell, 50, of Anna’s Retreat pleaded guilty to taking part in the plot, which occurred during an Aug. 30, 2012 property bid conducted by the office of the lieutenant governor. Charleswell faced 14 charges – one count each of conspiracy; recording a fraudulent certificate; obtaining money by false pretense; fraudulent claims upon the government; conversion of government property; grand larceny; forgery (recording a false note); embezzlement by public officer; embezzlement and falsification of public accounts and two counts each of forgery; forgery (uttering a false document); and criminally influenced and corrupt organizations – in connection with the crime. However, rather than face a jury, Charleswell accepted the terms of a cl...