Fmr govt minister Jennifer Westford, PSM Personnel Officer on total of GUY$2 million bail for vehicle scam

Last Updated on Wednesday, 29 July 2015, 14:45 by GxMedia

Former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Officer, Margaret Cummings on Wednesday pleaded not guilty to charges connected to the acquisition and transfer of several government vehicles and they were granted a total of GUY$2 million bail.

Westford was granted a total of GUY$800,000 bail and Cummings was placed on a total of GUY$1.2 million bail.

Westford was granted GUY$200,000 on each of four charges and Cummings was granted GUY$300,000 bail on  each of four charges by City Magistrate Ann Mc Lenann.

They were ordered to return to court on August 10, 2015 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Particulars of the charge against Westford are that between July 17,2014 and June 23,2015 at the Public Service Ministry, Lot 164 Waterloo Street, Georgetown, being employed with the government of Guyana, she sought to transfer vehicles from the government to herself and several other persons. 

Cummings was charged with four counts of with intent defraud by creating a document purporting to be a receipt of sale vehicles seven vehicles. The facts are that between  July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 with intent to defraud she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of the said vehicles

Police had said that Westford had facilitated the return of the vehicles.

Their lawyers are Bibi Shadick, Dexter Todd, Keisha Chase and Mr. Amsterdam.

Chase told the court that Westford is 54 years old, a doctor by profession and a resident of 55A Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

Todd said Cummings is 36 years old, is the Chief Personnel Officer at the Public Service Ministry and she resides at 709 Section A, Diamond, East Bank Demerara