FORMER RBC EMPLOYEE APPEARS IN COURT ON THREE THEFT-RELATED CHARGES TOTALING NEARLY $367,000

Tuesday 7th July, 2026 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands

Our newsroom attended the Magistrate’s Court, where former RBC employee Erica Butterfield-Thomas made her first court appearance after being formally charged in connection with an ongoing police investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited.

Butterfield-Thomas appeared before the court supported by her husband and from her church. She was legally represented by attorney Mrs Lara Maroof-Misick, while Mrs. Angela Brooks appeared on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

During the proceedings, three separate charges were read to the defendant, each alleging the offence of Theft of a Chose in Action, contrary to Section 9 of the Theft Ordinance, Chapter 3.10 of the Laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to the court information, the charges allege:

•⁠ ⁠Charge One: That between February 2018 and October 2024, at RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited on Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Butterfield-Thomas allegedly stole a chose in action valued at $262,870.00, being a credit balance standing on the account of LNG Bluewind Ltd.
•⁠ ⁠Charge Two: That on or about May 15, 2024, at the same banking institution, she allegedly stole a chose in action valued at $100,000.00, being a credit balance on an account in the name of Patrick Edward Ellis.
•⁠ ⁠Charge Three: That on or about March 28, 2024, she allegedly stole a chose in action valued at $4,000.00, also from an account held in the name of Patrick Edward Ellis.

The three charges currently before the court total $366,870.00.

Butterfield-Thomas was not remanded into custody. Having previously been granted police bail, she was allowed to continue on $50,000.00 bail, and the matter has now been adjourned to the Supreme Court for a sufficiency hearing on October 2, 2026.

It should be noted that while the charges presently before the court total just under $367,000, information previously received during the early stages of the investigation suggested that police inquiries involving RBC Royal Bank were examining transactions allegedly amounting to well over one million dollars.

However, the charges formally laid against Butterfield-Thomas at this stage relate only to the three alleged transactions totaling $366,870.00.

Our newsroom further understands that the police investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may yet be brought. At this time, it is unclear whether any future charges, if filed, would be against Ms. Butterfield-Thomas or any other individual who may allegedly be connected to the investigation.

As with all criminal matters before the courts, the charges remain allegations only, and Erica Butterfield-Thomas is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

This remains a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as further information becomes available.