The Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit has said that during Bailey's visit to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) offices, he attempted to renew a passport in the name Michael George Sullivan. When the issue with his name came up he was immediately detained.
Police say the charges against the entertainer included:
- (2) Counts of Uttering Forged Documents
- (2) Counts of Obtaining Passport by False Pretence
- (2) Counts of Possession of Forged Documents
- (1) Count of Attempting to Obtain a Passport by False Pretence
- (1) Count of Conspiracy to Defraud
The artists' attorney, Tom Tavares-Finson, describes his client as a good man, saying fraud related charges brought against him are nothing more than a misunderstanding, explaining the name his client attempted to use, Michael George Sullivan, was one he's used for a number of years.
Tavares-Finson told the Jamaica Observer, "Admiral Bailey is someone who is highly regarded by many members of society and not as someone who has been associated with any criminality or even the hint of criminality."
He went on to say that his client has made an effort to keep himself out of any trouble with the law, explaining that Bailey is "a sort of crossover artist between the genre of deejay music and calypso".
"I indicated that the travel documents that they are alleging are fraudulent are documents that he has been using for over 25 years....I am satisfied that when the matter comes before the court we will be able to offer an explanation...".
