US prosecutors are seeking the extradition of a Leitrim-based couple accused of defrauding one of America's most prestigious design schools of more than $1 million.
The US attorney's office in Providence, Rhode Island, confirmed yesterday that it was seeking to seize the Ballinamore home of Patrick Clyne (58), and his wife, Ibtisama Bradley Clyne, who have lived in Leitrim for more than five years.
The two are wanted for allegedly defrauding the Rhode Island School of Design of more than $1 million by billing the college for non-existent fire prevention equipment. The college is considered to be one of the best design schools in the US.
Mr Clyne was a college employee and allegedly set up a shell company to disguise his part in the scheme. Mr Clyne and Ms Bradley Clyne have been charged with one count of conspiracy and 10 counts of mail fraud and face 20 years in prison and a $2 million fine.
The couple's solicitor, Gabriel Toolan, said the couple had co-operated with federal authorities. He said they had explained to US authorities that they were not "responsible or culpable" for any irregularities.
However, the US attorney's office described the couple as fugitives and said it had unsealed the indictment against them so that it could seek their extradition. The office also confirmed that it would be going before the Irish court to seize the couple's Leitrim property.
The couple applied for planning permission for a two-storey house with garage on a rural road outside Ballinamore in 2001, according to an Bord Pleanála records.