Westford’s forgery trial begins April 18

FORMER Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings will go on trial come April 18, 2016 in relation to charges they are facing for alleged attempted larceny and forgery of documents for the purchase of State-owned vehicles.The date of commencement was handed down by City Magistrate Fabayo Azore at yesterday court proceeding. Police Corporal, Bharrat Mangru indicated that a total of 17 witnesses would testify on behalf of the prosecution.
Last July, the former Government Minister appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court slapped with four charges of attempted larceny. Westford entered a plea of not guilty when the charges were read to her by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.
The charges alleged that between July 17, 2014 and June 23, 2015, Westford attempted to transfer vehicles to four persons, namely: her husband Gary Beaton, Osbert McPherson, Wayne Walker and Delroy Lewis.
Her assistant, Margaret Cummings, was also charged for the attempted transfer of the state vehicles. Cummings pleaded not guilty to the charges which alleged that she forged certain documents for the purchase of the eight motor vehicles. The duo was released on $300,000 bail for each of the four charges.
Just last month, Westford and Cummings were each released on $4.8M bail by City Magistrate Judy Latchman after denying a total 24 charges which allege that they stole over $639M, while being employed in the Public Service.
Westford of Victoria Avenue, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Cummings, a mother of three, of Section A Diamond, EBD are being represented by a team of attorneys – Rexford McKay, Neil Boston, Keisha Chase, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick, Brandon Glasford and Dexter Todd.