DPP asks police to do more work on Jennifer Westford alleged fraud probe

Last Updated on Thursday, 1 October 2015, 19:51 by GxMedia

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has asked to police for clarification on a number of areas before recommendations are made about whether former Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford should face fraud charges.

Also implicated is then Chief Personnel Officer at that now defunct ministry, Margaret Cummings.

“We have some points to clear up and then we will send the file back to the DPP,” Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum told Demerara Waves Online News.

Cummings and Westford are implicated in an estimated GUY$600 million fraud. Investigators  have examined records to determine whether the then minister had obtained various sums of money for countrywide reviews of the public service.

At issue is whether the monies, which were approved by a top official of the then Office of the President, had been used for the intended purpose.

They have been already charged in connection with the attempted transfer of several State-owned vehicles to a number of persons including Westford and her partner who is the Commander of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard.