He was accused of stealing more than $50,000 total in cash on seven different occasions from his real estate clients between December 2005 and April of this year.
But Coley-Austin maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
Coley-Austin, 42, of #7 Windsor Lane, reportedly owned a company called Island Home Construction, also known as Bahamian Style Home Construction Company.
Authorities allege that he took deposits for home and lot packages from prospective buyers, but never delivered on any homes or lots.
Seven persons, mostly women, were reportedly swindled out of thousands of dollars, police said.
Police said that this type of white-collar crime has become a recurrent problem where people are preying on unsuspecting individuals, particularly women.
It is alleged that Coley-Austin stole from Lacitus McGregor between Friday, January 30 and Monday April 3.
It is also alleged that Coley-Austin stole $6,750 from Sherry Chartlon between Wednesday, December 7, and Tuesday, December 13.
Sometime later, between Tuesday, January 24, and Monday, April 10, he also allegedly stole $6,250 from Ashondi Bethel by way of service.
Between Friday, December 2, and Tuesday April 11, Coley-Austin swindled $3,000 from Yul A. Winters, police said.
It is further alleged that between Friday, February 3, and Friday, March 24, Coley-Austin defrauded Kenneth Brown and Patricia Lightfoot of $3,070.
Another ‘victim’, who reportedly bought into the real estate scheme, was Toarnovia Rolle, who reportedly paid Coley-Austin $4,000.
Monique Robinson was also allegedly defrauded of $7,000, which she allegedly paid to Coley-Austin.
Magistrate Susan Sylvester granted Coley-Austin $15,000 bail, with one surety.
She also ordered that he report to the Wulff Road Police Station at 5pm Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.
A preliminary inquiry has been scheduled for July 24.
By: Royanne Forbes-Darville, The Bahama Journal
