Amado Badillo Faces New Allegations Amid Past Accusations

Amado Alexander Badillo, owner of Prestige Auto Sales, was arraigned in Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a charge of obtaining property by deception after allegedly failing to deliver a car to Theresa Ismar Flores despite receiving $14,000. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $10,000 bail with conditions, including staying away from the complainant.

In his defence, Badillo explained that financial difficulties last year temporarily affected his operations. He stated that Flores, a friend, sought a $14,000 vehicle, which he described as nearly impossible to find in Belize. To assist her, he secured a car worth $20,000 but encountered financial challenges soon after. To ensure Flores was not inconvenienced, Badillo provided her with one of his vehicles, valued at $30,000, for full-time use until the purchased car arrived.

He claimed Flores agreed not to take action against him as her transportation needs were being met. He also noted that the car intended for Flores remains in Houston, awaiting transportation to Belize, a fact he says was confirmed in several video calls with her.

However, this is not the first time that such accusations have been made against Badillo. In January 2024, police had been searching for Badillo as a person of interest in a case of alleged obtaining property by deception. A Caye Caulker resident reported losing $65,000 last year while attempting to purchase a Ford Ranger XLT pickup truck, which was promised after minor repairs but never delivered. The DPP said she reviewed the complaint and instructed police to charge Badillo with theft. Sources indicated that Badillo had provided police with a lengthy statement detailing his side of the story, claiming he had given proof to the complainant that the vehicle had been acquired and was en route from Houston. However, complications arose when it was revealed that the VIN number provided by the complainant to police for the vehicle he was supposed to purchase in April 2023 actually belonged to a vehicle previously owned by a customs officer. The officer confirmed that he had briefly offered the vehicle to Badillo for sale but ultimately sold it to someone else after Badillo failed to secure the funds to complete the transaction.

News Five also uncovered at least three legal claims filed against Badillo, all of which are public records. On July 25, 2023, Mariko Barrow sued Badillo for the outstanding balance on the sale of a Kia vehicle, legal fees, and accrued monthly interest for late payments dating from April 2021 to June 2023. The claim amounted to approximately $50,000, excluding additional costs or relief determined by the court.

On November 16, 2023, Badillo faced another lawsuit, this time from Elmer Torres, who claimed $52,432 for the sale of two vehicles that belonged to Torres. The claim cited a breach of a written contract made between the parties on February 13, 2023.

The third legal action was filed on January 23, 2024, by Sylvia Cattouse regarding the sale of a Toyota Highlander owned by Cattouse. In that case, Badillo eventually paid the monies owed, but only after three years of pursuit by Cattouse.