Accounts clerk slapped with 12 forgery charges granted $1.2M bail

Stephanie Persaud, a former senior accounts clerk at BK International Inc, has been placed on bail totalling $1.2 million after her arraignment on Wednesday in the Georgetown Court of Senior Magistrate Fabyo Azore on 12 charges of forgery and fraud.

The 42-year-old Persaud, of Lot 151 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, has not been required to plead to the indictable charges that were read to her, all of which accused her of forging multiple Citizens Bank cheques and fraudulently obtaining money from her former employer. The court heard that, on several occasions, she presented forged Citizens Bank cheques with the original amounts significantly inflated.
Between January 9, and February 27, 2025, she allegedly altered a cheque initially valued at $66,667 to $466,667 before withdrawing the funds.
Between February 7 and February 22, 2025, she reportedly changed the value of a cheque from $27,800 to $427,800.
Between February 14 and February 22, 2025, she allegedly increased the value of a cheque from $15,000 to $315,000.
Between February 17 and February 22, 2025, she allegedly altered the value of one cheque from $20,000 to $320,000, and another cheque from $40,000 to $540,000.
Between January 10 and February 22, 2025, she reportedly changed the value of a cheque from $20,000 to $320,000.
Further charges accuse Persaud of fraudulently obtaining funds from the cashier of the BK Group, Nassan Daniels, on multiple occasions by reportedly presenting forged cheques and convincing Daniels that the increased figures were legitimate.
Persaud is accused of obtaining $320,000, $540,000, $315,000, $466,667, $320,000, and $427,800 in cash from Daniels under false pretenses. The prosecution has alleged that between January and February 2025, Persaud altered the values of cheques by inflating the figures before presenting them to a cashier at BK Group of Companies. The fraudulent transactions reportedly amounted to a total of $2.5 million.
The prosecution told the court that Persaud has admitted to the offences under caution, reportedly saying, “Yes, sir, I did it.” And further, it was revealed that a cheque and a quantity of cash were found in her possession when she was arrested.
Defence attorney Nadia Samuels told the court that this is Persaud’s first court appearance, and the defence is prepared to challenge any submissions by the prosecution. Requesting bail for her client, Samuels emphasized that Persaud is not a flight risk.
The prosecution objected to bail on grounds that Persaud is unmarried, had no children, and lives with a relative. The prosecution also noted that the case file had been completed and sent for legal advice.
Magistrate Azore, however, placed Persaud on bail at $100,000 per charge, amounting to a total of $1.2 million, and adjourned the case to April 16 for continuation.