Westford, assistant served with additional statements

Aug 12, 2016 News

– Trial continues on Sept. 12

Dr. Jennifer Westford and her former personnel assistant Margaret Cummings have been served with additional statements in relation to the matter in which they are accused of misappropriating over $600M from the state.
The statements were served on the women yesterday afternoon, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They will return to court on September 12, for continuation of trial.
It is alleged that between August 2011 and April 2015, while being employed in the Public Service of the Government of Guyana, they stole the sum of $639, 420,000 belonging to the state. They allegedly received the money by virtue of their employment.
They have denied the allegations and were each released on $4.8 bail.
When the trial had commenced on June 8, before Magistrate Judy Latchman, there had been a mismatch of files among the prosecutor and defence team. Attorney Neil Boston who is representing the duo was unable to follow the testimony of Andre Dazzell, Chief Accountant of the Ministry of Presidency, Department of Public Service.
It was revealed that Page 54 in the prosecution’s file was of Dazzell’s testimony, but in the lawyer’s file Page 54 was a statement given by former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service, Hydar Ally.

Caption for Jenny:

Margaret Cummings

As a result, Magistrate Latchman granted the prosecution leave to copy the statements in order and compiled one file.
Attorney Teshana Lake was recently appointed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to prosecute the high profile case.
According to court facts, Westford of 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 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 Bank of Guyana.
The monies were requested to carry out various activities throughout the 10 administrative regions. However, personnel from the various regions were reportedly contacted and denied ever receiving the cash. Investigations were carried out, but the monies were never recovered.

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