ACCELERATED Capital Firm Inc (ACFI)’s Yuri Garcia Dominguez and Ateeka Ishmael, on Monday, appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on 38 new charges.

The couple appeared before Magistrate Roshell Liverpool and pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were released on self-bail and the case was adjourned until October 26.

They are accused of soliciting millions of dollars from hundreds of Guyanese who were enticed by extraordinary returns of approximately 40 per cent. Investors were also encouraged to enlist additional investors on a commission (10 per cent) from the couple’s business, Accelerated Capital Firm Inc.

The firm was not registered with the Guyana Securities Council to conduct financial business either as an investment adviser and/or a broker.

The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Cap. 10:11 prohibits businesses from operating as financial institutions, without the necessary registration for regulation and supervision by the Regulatory Authorities, FIU and Guyana Securities Council.

Dominguez, his wife and their company have been in the limelight since early August 2020, when they were accused of running a ponzi scheme. Over 17,000 persons allegedly invested more than US$20 million in the company.

The couple was arrested in August, 2020. They appeared before various courts on dozens of charges and were released on bail totalling over $30 million.