THE investigation into fraud at the Public Service Ministry has now jumped from about $400 million to more than $600 million.This was confirmed yesterday by police sources who informed this publication that investigators have been supplied with an additional two vouchers which have raised the amount under investigation.
The Guyana Chronicle was informed that persons within the ministry have been cooperating with the police as well as giving information to the auditors in relation to the fraud.
Contacted yesterday Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum would not confirm the new information about the $600 million probe.
However, he acknowledged that the police are in receipt of additional vouchers which have caused the amount of unaccounted funds in the probe to rise even higher.
Asked how longer the investigation is expected to continue,the crime chief merely stated that the matter is still under active investigation.
Meanwhile, other police sources who are close to the investigation did confirm that the matter with respect to former minister Dr. Jennifer Westford is expected to be completed later this week or early next week and the file is expected to be dispatched to the director of public prosecutions sometime next week.
The police have been investigating the former minister and several staffers at the Public Service Ministry over the use of funds that were transferred from the then Office of the President to her ministry to be used to conduct reviews of the services and programmes of the Public Service.
Westford is already before the court accused of illegally transferring several state vehicles to herself and several associates and friends, including her husband, who is a member of the Guyana Defence Force.