Businessman who withheld Social Security employee payments tells court he will have to fire his workers and close his business

By BBN Staff: Businessman 67-year-old Henry Adolph Jez, came dangerously close to being found in contempt as he appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court for failing to pay Social Security contributions for employees at his business.

Jez, the owner of Henry’s On the Go, located on Baymen Avenue, Belize City, appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford, where he was read a single charge of failure to pay contribution payments no later than 14 days for persons employed by him for the periods of December 2021 to February 2022.

Jez had not shown up to court and was picked up by police on a bench warrant. During the hearing, Social Security prosecutor Desire Daniels informed the court that when she went to serve Jez his summons he was rude and that he curse her out so she had to leave it with a family member. Jez told the court that the person receiving the summons was a minor who has ADS – Attention Deficit Syndrome, so he was not made aware of the summons.

He also repeatedly interrupted Daniels as she spoke, at which point he was cautioned that if he continued in that manner, he would be in contempt of court.

Jez tried to explain to the court that one contribution fee for an employee is $30.00 and it seems his business is not in the best standing and so he was very frustrated at the arraignment and so he blurted out that he will have to fire his employees and close the business.

After hearing both sides, the court found him guilty and fined him $500 plus $5 cost of court, which he must pay by August 31 or he will spend three months in jail.

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