GPF Clerk charged with defrauding credit union

A 30-year-old clerk attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Credit Union appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer multiple fraud charges.
Melissa O’Brian, of Paradise Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is accused of falsifying accounts and forging documents with the intent to defraud the GPF Credit Union.
Appearing before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty, the three charges were read to O’Brian. Police stated that on June 13, 2024, at the GPF Credit Union, while employed as a clerk, she falsified a passbook belonging to Collin O’Brian, reflecting a fabricated special savings balance of $110,000.
The second charge alleges that between January 12 and April 9, 2024, O’Brian falsified a passbook belonging to France Garlinton, recording three cash payments to the GPF that were never made.
Lastly, on June 13, 2024, it is alleged that O’Brian forged a withdrawal voucher in Collin O’Brian’s name with the intent to defraud. O’Brian pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
During the hearing, Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Noble represented O’Brian and made a bail application.
Noble highlighted her client’s previously unblemished record in the GPF and emphasized that O’Brian is a mother of three, including a one-year-old child. She further noted that O’Brian cooperated fully with investigators and voluntarily attended court.
The prosecution, however, objected to bail, citing the gravity and prevalence of such offences.
After considering arguments from both sides, Magistrate McGusty granted bail at $50,000 per charge, totaling $150,000. As part of her bail conditions, O’Brian is required to lodge her passport and report to the GPF’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) on the last Friday of each month.
The matter has been adjourned to January 22, 2025.