US seeking Extradition through TCI Courts over alleged prohibited ELECTION contribution

Wilkie Arthur 

Freelance Court Reporter

#TurksandCaicos, October 28, 2023 – ROGER SCOTT HOFFMAN is wanted by US authorities to answer on American soil to serious allegations related to funds said to have been donated to an election campaign; it is illegal for foreigners to make contributions of this nature.

On Thursday, Hoffman was refused bail and he has been remanded by his Hon. The Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin to His Majesty’s Prison pending processing of his Turks and Caicos Islands passport.

The United States government is seeking to have Hoffman extradited on conspiracy charges; that he knowingly defrauded by impeding, impairing, obstructing and defeating the lawful functions of a US agency, specifically the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the ascertainment, computation, assessment and collection of federal taxes.

Court records further revealed that the charge went on to say that Roger Hoffman knowingly and willfully made contributions and donations by a foreign national directly or indirectly in connection with federal and state elections which contribution and donations aggregated $25,000.00 in a calendar year, made in another name.

If convicted on that charged in the United States he faces up to a five year penalty of imprisonment.

Magnetic Media learned that Mr. Hoffman now lives in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos having renounced his US citizenship and now possesses a St Kitts and Nevis passport while awaiting a Turks and Caicos passport.

He was represented at the emergency hearing on Thursday 26th October 2023 by Senior Counsel Mr. Ashwood Forbes.  From the office of the DPP was Deputy DPP, Mrs. Angela Brooks and Principal Crown Counsel Mr. Clement Joseph.  A representative from the Attorney General’s Chambers was also present at the hearing; identified as Ms. Candice Rocester.

Understanding the core issues surrounding the extradition proceedings is that Mr. Hoffman, not being a US citizen any longer should not have made any alleged contributions and donations towards the US Federal and State elections.  For his alleged actions, he is wanted in the USA to stand trial for Federal campaign finance and tax laws.

The matter has been adjourned to 30th November, 2023.

Caption: FILE PHOTO