Bahamian Tourism Official in the Slammer

A marketing representative for the Bahamas Tourist Board in the United Kingdom will spend the next 15 months in jail, after defrauding the board of some £26,450 ($45,825).

Alexei King, 40, was jailed after pleading guilty in Luton Crown Court to three charges of fraud and two of theft before Judge Barbara Mensah.

Prosecutors claimed Mr. King took money from potential travellers to the island on the side while charging the Tourist Board for the trips.

Mr King was hired in 1999 and had a budget to arrange trips to the Bahamas for people who could then promote the island as a holiday destination.

Prosecutor Bozzy Sheffi told the court that for several years he worked well and successfully but last year he began his fraud.