Latest update February 14th, 2025 8:22 AM
$29 million fraud at GPL… Former PM not aware of cabinet approving Carvil Duncan to pay himself
CHARGED: Carvil Duncan
Former PM Samuel Hinds
Former Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who had oversight over the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), was not aware of a cabinet decision approving Carvil Duncan to pay himself $984,900 or for him to be paid otherwise.
This was revealed to the court yesterday when the trial of Duncan, who is accused of stealing close to $30M from the power company, continued before Magistrate Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Duncan, 73, of 1977 Williamstad Road, Festival City, Georgetown, is accused of stealing $989,900 belonging to GPL on March 31, 2015. It is also alleged that between May 7, and May 8, 2015 at Georgetown, Duncan conspired with a former senior GPL official to steal the sum of $27,757,500, property of GPL.
Duncan is currently out on $1M bail.
Hinds was at the time being cross examined by Charles Ramson Jr., attorney for Duncan. Hinds told the court that most decisions made by Winston Brassington, the former Chairman of GPL Board, were done without consultation from cabinet.
When the defence attorney suggested to Hinds that the Chairman of GPL Board raised the issue of retroactive application of directors’ fees, he stated that the issue of arrears was raised generally with cabinet or the then Head of the Cabinet Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon.
When further questioned, Hinds stated that Luncheon, who was also the Cabinet Secretary, had such responsibilities and powers during the periods Duncan allegedly stole the monies from GPL.
“The Cabinet Secretary was a very strong and powerful person”, the former PM related. He added that Luncheon had more powers and responsibilities than any other minister.
Hinds explained that Luncheon represented the president and only the president had the authority to override decisions made by him.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kedarnauth Bejaimal continued testifying yesterday. He gave evidence in relation to documents he received from GPL officials. Among the documents was a cheque paid to and signed off by Duncan for the sum of $984,900.
The police witness testified that on January 7, he contacted GPL’s Finance Officer, Loris Nathoo, who showed him original copies of the documents. He explained that Nathoo kept the originals in his possession and served him with photocopies. The photocopied documents, the witness stated, were placed in his crime file to conduct investigations.
At this point, Police Prosecutor Shevon Jupiter made an application for ASP Bejaimal’s testimony to be suspended so as to allow the documents to be tendered in the trial.
Magistrate Daly adjourned the trial until August 17.
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