A herbal doctor, who reportedly passed himself off as an attorney-at-law who could get speedy divorces settled cheaply, faced the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court last week for taking money from two people, including a man who went and had a big wedding and even started his filing to become a United States resident.
The fake lawyer, 45-year-old Alvin Morales of Hamilton Drive in Kingston, reportedly told the complainants that there were three different types of divorces — Mexican, Dominican and Las Vegas — that he could get for them in certain countries.
The complainants were reportedly told that the Dominican divorce could be done on the same day, while the two other types could be done within an hour. In respect of the Las Vegas divorce, the person would have to be present in the country for it to be completed, he is reported to have told the complainants.
Morales reportedly told the complainants that the divorce could be completed from anywhere in the world as long as that country falls under the Hague Service Convention.
Both complainants who had selected the “Mexican Divorce” solicited Morales’s help after they saw advertisements in the newspapers, which indicated that individuals could get cheap and speedy divorces.
In the first case, the complainant who was seeking the divorce on behalf of her friend in the Cayman Islands, paid over $140,000 to the accused, and in the second case the male complainant paid $76,000.
The female complainant, whose case was first mentioned in court on Wednesday, was fully compensated when she returned to court on Friday.
Regarding the male complainant, Morales’s lawyer Kaysia Kennedy told Senior Magistrate Maxine Ellis that her client had paid back $52,000 to the male complainant. However, the magistrate said that the accused would also have to absorb the US$400 that the complainant had used to pay for his filing.
In the first matter, the complainant, after seeing the advertisement in the newspapers in February, contacted her friend and told her about Morales. After she contacted the accused he reportedly identified himself as Dr Alvin Morales and told her that he was an attorney-at-law and convinced the complainant that he was a distinguished and reputable lawyer, based upon his profile.
Morales reportedly told the complainant that the divorce would cost US$1,100 and the complainant paid over $140,000 to the accused after the woman who was seeking the divorce sent the complainant the money.
Morales later gave the complainant documents in May indicating that the divorce was completed and also gave her a number to call an office in Mexico to confirm the authenticity of the documents as the divorce was processed in that country.
But when the complainant called the number she kept hearing: “Please check to ensure that you have dialed the right number and dial again”.
The complainant subsequently made checks and found that the accused was not an attorney.
She reportedly confronted Morales and he gave her a promissory note to return her money, but failed to do so and she reported the matter to the police.
In the other case, the complainant told the court that he contacted Morales in 2011 and was given documents which indicated that his divorce was final and as a result proceeded to remarry.
“Is when I started my filing I found out that the divorce documents were not good. I pay for a big reception. I buy white gold with crush diamond,” the complainant said amidst laughter in the court.
The magistrate, however, told him not to worry as his wife could still wear the diamond, but advised him not to have another big wedding.
“When you get your divorce don’t bother have a big shindig because you do everything already. Just go to a proper minister and get your marriage paper signed,” RM Ellis said.
The case was subsequently set for a case management hearing after Morales’ lawyer insisted that her client’s plea was ‘not guilty’, despite him making restitution.
However, before the case was adjourned the prosecutor shared a portion of Morales’s profile with people inside the court which elicited laughter.
Morales in his profile indicated that he was the holder of doctoral degrees in law, theology, naturopathic medicine, and metaphysics, as well as a master’s degree in business and a bachelor’s degree in electronics.
In addition, he said that he
had certificates in private
investigation, cosmetology, locksmithing, chemotheraphy, credit analysis, homeopathy, child psychology, information technology, and accupressure.
Morales also indicated that he was a certified martial arts instructor and master clinical hypnotherapist.
The accused also noted in his profile that he was a former priest and that he left the church in search of “metaphysics enlightenment”.
Morales said that he was also chief judge in Florida, where he had also founded a reputable and recognised university and “Paradise Airline”, which he sold.
The accused said he also authored several books, magazines and health publications and is a member of the American Press Association which gave him an award for journalism.
The court on Friday heard that the police would be checking into some of the claims that were made by Morales in his profile.
Along with his incredible profile, Morales also had glowing testimonies from clients who were said to be happy afterwards.
Morales is charged with obtaining money by false pretence, acting as an attorney without being duly qualified, and conspiracy.
Jack of all trade yet master of none. Fi him resumay ago send im go ah prison.