Ex Minister, assistant trial begins ... Westford’s assistant held various posts in Ministry - court told

Ex Minister, assistant trial begins … Westford’s assistant held various posts in Ministry – court told

Jul 07, 2016 News

Ms: Margaret Cummings

Dr. Jennifer Westford leaves court in the company of her attorney Neil Boston

Ms. Margaret Cummings was not only employed as a Chief Personnel Officer during Dr. Jennifer Westford’s tenure as Minister of Public Service. Cummings also performed duties as the Confidential Secretary to the former Minister and Acting Administrative Officer.
This is according to Andre Albert Dazzell, a Chief Accountant at the Ministry of the Presidency attached to the Department of Public Service.
Dazzell testified yesterday before Magistrate Judy Latchman when the trial of Dr. Westford and Ms. Cummings commenced in relation to the misappropriation of over $600M from the State.
The Chief Accountant, who resides at Lot 543 Section A, Diamond, East Bank Demerara, also informed the court that Ms. Cummings was responsible for the day to day operations of the Ministry’s accounts department.
“She (Ms. Margaret Cummings) was also responsible for the day to day operations of the Accounts Department and the person I reported directly to,” the witness related.
According to Dazzell some of his duties as Chief Accountant included preparing financial budgets; financial reports and supervising the accounts department on a daily basis.
When asked by Police Prosecutor, Vishnu Hunt whether he knew Dr. Westford, the witness replied “yes”. He described her as the Minister of Public Service from 2011-2015.
Dazzell subsequently pointed out Dr. Westford who was seated in court to Magistrate Judy Latchman. He testified that he also knew Hydar Ally since he was the former Permanent Secretary within the said Ministry.
However, Senior Counsel Mr. Neil Boston, objected when Dazzell told the court that Ms. Cummings was Confidential Secretary to the former Minister. In his objections, Boston argued that the testimony being given by the witness did not correspond with statements he received from the prosecution.
He pointed out that if the prosecution wants the witness to testify in relation to that, an additional statement should have been filed for Dazzell.
In response to the Counsel’s contentions, Prosecutor Hunt explained that he had received 24 files in relation to the matter. Hunt pointed out that additional statements were given to police by Dazzell. He said that Ms. Cummings was Confidential Secretary to Dr. Westford during her tenure as Minister.
The Prosecutor stressed that there is a possibility that the statement might be in another file. The Magistrate, however, was able to locate the additional statement by the Ministry of Presidency employee.
In light of this, Prosecutor Hunt requested a short adjournment date to compile statements in the file to avoid any further setbacks in the matter.
This case will be called again on July 26 for reports. Thereafter, Magistrate Latchman said that she will set a further date for continuation of trial.
According to court facts, Westford of Lot 55 ‘AA’ Victoria Avenue Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was employed as Minister of Public Service from 2001-2015, while her co-accused was the Principal Personnel Officer of the Ministry. Cummings of Lot 709 Section A Diamond, EBD was also in charge of the Ministry’s accounts department.
It was discovered that on 24 occasions Westford signed memoranda amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the Office of the President for approval. Approval was granted and cheques were prepared and encashed by the Bank of Guyana.
The monies were requested to carry out various activities throughout the 10 Administrative Regions. However, personnel from the various Regions were contacted and denied ever receiving the cash. Investigations were carried out but the monies were never recovered.
They are currently out on $4.8M bail each.
The former Minister of Public Service and her former Personal Assistant, Margaret Cummings, were charged last August for allegedly attempting to transfer eight state vehicles and forging documents for the purchase of the vehicles.
They pleaded not guilty to the allegation. Westford is currently facing four charges of attempted larceny in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. She was released on a total of $800,000 bail.
The charges allege that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, she attempted to transfer eight state vehicles to four persons. Margaret Cummings was also slapped with four counts of forgery. Cummings is alleged to have forged documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles. She has been released on a total of $1.2M bail.
These matters will go on trial from July 11.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

2 thoughts on “Ex Minister, assistant trial begins … Westford’s assistant held various posts in Ministry – court told”

Cochore July 7, 2016 at 7:29 am

Editor, Ex-Minister??. It’s the Defendant in a court of law.
1. rs dasai July 7, 2016 at 4:01 pm
  
  Cheques were encashed by the Bank of Guyana. who received the Money?

Comments are closed.

Latest News