Public Service Ministry court cases… Defence signals intention to apply for indefinite stay of trial – says process being abused
former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford
former Public Service Minister, Dr Jennifer Westford

 

BEFORE city Magistrate Ann McLennan, one of the attorneys representing former Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings — Mr. Neil Boston — informed the court yesterday that on the next scheduled court hearing, the defence would apply for the matters to be stayed indefinitely for abuse of process.

Dr Westford and Margaret Cummings were yesterday served with their statements in relation to the charges they face. Their matters were adjourned, and both defendants are expected to make their next court appearance on October 8.

The former minister was placed on $200,000 bail on each of the four charges she faces, and the former Chief Personnel Officer was placed on $300,000 bail on each of the four charges she faces when they first appeared in court.

The 54-year-old Dr. Westford of Lot 55 AA Victoria Avenue, Eccles, EBD and the 36-year-old Cummings of Lot 709 Section ‘A’ Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara both made their appearance before City Magistrate Ann McLennan and separately denied the charges laid against them.

The former minister has answered to four counts of attempting to commit a felony, one of which detailed that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, at the Public Service Ministry on Waterloo Street, Georgetown, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, she attempted to commit larceny when she sought to transfer motor vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 to the name of Wayne Walker when the vehicles were the property of the Government of Guyana.

Another charge stated that, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, in an attempt to commit larceny, Dr Westford also sought to transfer motor vehicle PFF 1780 to the name of Delroy Lewis when that vehicle was the property of the Government of Guyana.

Thirdly, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, Dr Westford attempted to commit larceny when she sought to transfer motor vehicle PJJ 3444 to her name.

She further denied that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, at the Public Service Ministry, she also attempted to commit larceny in seeking to transfer motor vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 to the name of Gary Beaton.

Margaret Cummings meanwhile, has denied the four counts of forgery levelled against her. One of the charges state that between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015, at the Public Service Ministry on Waterloo Street, being an employee of the Government of Guyana, she attempted to defraud her employer when she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PFF 1780 by Delroy Lewis.

It is also alleged that during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PJJ 8113 and PKK 2175 by Wayne Walker.

It is further alleged that, during the same period at the Public Service Ministry, with intent to defraud, she forged certain documents purporting to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicle PJJ 3444 by Dr. Webster.

Lastly, Cummings has been charged with forging certain documents between July 18, 2014 and April 15, 2015 at the Public Service Ministry with intent to defraud. The documents purport to be a receipt for the purchase of vehicles PKK 6400, PEE 8783 and PJJ 6675 by Gary Beaton.

Dr Westford and Ms Cummings were both represented by attorneys-at-law Bibi Shadick, Keisha Chase, Dexter Todd, Husi Anderson and Neil Boston.

 

By Geeta Rampersaud

 

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