An Italian businessman with a patchy record in his homeland but no previous convictions in France or Monaco has been fined 5,000 euros after his cheque for payment of services bounced three times, local French-language daily Monaco Matin reported.
The London resident had issued a cheque for 87,000 euros drawn against a Monaco bank account for security work connected to his family, the Monaco Criminal Court was told.
Prosecuting counsel underlined the fact that a cheque in Monaco or France is a means of immediate payment, and cannot be used as a guarantee of future payment.
Eventually, and mysteriously, the debt was paid in cash, but there is no receipt.
The defence lawyer claimed that his client and the victim have found common ground and pleaded for leniency. However, taking into account the guilty party’s breach of banking rules, the fine of 5,000 was upheld.
