– allegedly stole $1.6M in pension funds
A FORMER employee of the Ministry of Finance was yesterday remanded to prison on a charge of embezzlement by a public officer. Lawrence Dundas, 51, (no address given) appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that between March 22 and October 8, 2010, in the Ministry of Finance, being entrusted in the Public Service of Guyana as a supervisor and being entrusted by virtue of his employer with receipts, custody, managing or control of valuable security, namely pension funds belonging to retired teacher Marian Patterson, he embezzled the sum of $1.6M by fraudulently disposing of the cheque thereby feloniously stealing from the State of Guyana.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Mortimer Codette, represented the accused and requested reasonable bail. He said his client worked with the Ministry of Finance for the past 30 years and has an impeccable record.

The lawyer said, too, that his client cooperated with the police and turned himself in since he noticed a publication in the newspapers.

Police Inspector Stephen Telford, prosecuting, said the accused was employed by the Ministry of Finance and was working in the Accounts receipt and payment section that deals with pension funds.
The prosecutor said that during the period, the accused created false payment vouchers and had different persons to uplift and cash the vouchers. He said there are several similar matters yet to be investigated and objected to bail.
Telford said the accused is likely to face additional charges, which involve in excess of $40M and if bail is granted he may not return to court for trial.
The magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution and remanded the accused until May 6, when he will make another court appearance.