Monrovia – Bishop Manasseh Conto of the Mission for Today Holy Church in the Borough of New Kru Town was arrested on Wednesday by officers of Criminal Court “C” on charges of theft and misapplication of entrusted property.
Defendant Conto, after spending an hour in the office of the sheriff of the court was released on a bond filed by his counsel.
His arrest and indictment was based on a complaint filed to the Grand Jury of Montserrado County by Hungchi Choi, General Manager of the Korean Trading Company on Bushrod Island.
Bishop Conto, as he is affectionately known, is been indicted on two counts of theft of property and misapplication of entrusted property alongside two other defendants, Steve Kettor and one Smith.
Court record states that in July 2014, defendant Steve Kettor was employed as General Manager for the Korean Trading Company that is involved in car rental and sale of vehicles.
The defendant was responsible to report to Korean Trading Company the amount of US$155,930 allegedly generated during the period July 2014.
According to the indictment, while serving as general manager of the corporation, defendant Kettor allegedly entered into vehicle rental contract with the World Food Program valued at US$18,455.00 in the name of the SACS Group the company, allegedly created alongside co-defendant Bishop Conto and one Smith to be identified with the aim to siphon money from the Korean Trading Company.
The indictment continued that during the period, the Korean Trading Company provided car rental service for which Kettor and the other co-defendants received through the KTC Ecobank account #0061024724121001,,US$92,225,00 and out of this amount the company received US$31,328.00 leaving the balance of US$60,905.00 unaccounted for.
Also, the indictment says that defendant Kettor also signed car rental contract with the US Marines in the country at the time of the Ebola crisis involving 2 pick-up trucks for the company which defendant Kettor allegedly received US$17,875.00 but only paid US$1,000 to the company and failed to account for the balance amount of US$16,875.
“ The Grand Jurors of Montserrado County upon oath do hereby find more probably than not that defendant Steven Kettor did do and commit the crime of misapplication of entrusted property a misdemeanor of the first degree in violation LCLR Title 26 Chapter 15,” said the indictment.
However, when released by the court Bishop Kettor told FrontPage Africa outside the court that the Korean national was only trying to draw him into the case but he has nothing to do with this transaction between the Korean and Steven Kettor.
“This case was first taken to the County Attorney Office and the County Attorney said I am not part of the case but I don’t know why I was named in the indictment,” said Bishop Conto
The Bishop claimed he is a reputable man of the gospel and that the case against him will not deter him and that his accuser must get ready to prove his case if not he will pursue the case against his accuser.
Kennedy l. Yangian – [email protected]