DPP gets files on fraud probe at Public Service Ministry

After weeks of intense investigations, the Guyana Police Force on Monday closed the probe into the multimillion-dollar fraud allegations at the Public Service Ministry and immediately handed over the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice on the way forward.

Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum, told the Guyana Times International that the investigation was wrapped up on Monday and in excess of 20 files were sent to the DPP’s Chamber the same day.

On Tuesday, Communications Officer at the DPP Chambers, Liz Rahaman confirmed to this newspaper that “several” files were received from the Police Force and were immediately given attention by DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack.

Rahaman said she could not say how long it would take to review the files, noting that the DPP usually went through all the documents submitted before proffering legal advice to the Police on the evidence provided.

Back in July, the Fraud Branch was called in to investigate allegations of a multimillion-dollar fraud at the Ministry. This was done after the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration had discovered more than Gy$120 million missing from the Public Service Ministry’s bank account.

However, reports indicate that during the probe, investigators found in excess of Gy$400 million missing. The probe focused on records dating back two years.

Sources told Guyana Times International that funds were requested from the then Office of the President for various services and programmes at the Ministry, but no records were found to show that the monies were spent on such.

This newspaper was told that former subject Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her then personal assistant, Margaret Cummings were said to be at the centre of the probe. Both women were questioned by investigators on the missing funds.

On July 29, the day before the probe commenced, both Westford and Cummings appeared before the court on fraud charges in relation to the alleged illegal transfer of several State-owned vehicles to private ownership. The former Minister and her personal assistant were granted bail in the sums of Gy$800,000 and Gy$1.2 million respectively.

The transfer of the Ministry vehicles was uncovered following a request from Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, who had written the Public Service Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hydar Ally, requesting that he re-issue a letter, dated April 14, 2015, requesting the transfer of registration for eight vehicles into the names of Westford, Wayne Walker, Delroy Lewis, Gary Beaton (Westford’s spouse) and Osbert McPherson.

A change of registration for two vehicles for Walker was sought; one for Lewis; one for Westford; three for Beaton and one for McPherson.