STATE PROSECUTOR Tashana Lake will now lead the prosecution’s case against former Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her Personnel Manager Margaret Cummings for the alleged theft of over $600 million from the government’s coffers.This was disclosed on Friday by Police Prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, who revealed that he would be “washing his hands” on the matter but would still be assisting the newly assigned prosecutor during the trial.
The defendants’ attorney made an application for the disclosure of statements, which will be released on August 11.

Westford and Cummings face 24 charges alleging that they stole more than $639 million from the Government of Guyana.
The charges state that between the period of October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, Westford and Cummings, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry, stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.
It is also alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the permanent secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.