Former cop, court clerk slapped with $17M fraud charges

…accused of forging cheque, authorisation letter; encashing cheque at Republic Bank

A former member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and a legal clerk attached to the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts have been charged in connection with an alleged scheme involving a forged $17 million cheque drawn on the court’s maintenance account.

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) instituted charges against Omari James, 27, a labourer of Farm Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), for money laundering and uttering a forged document with intent to defraud.
James appeared on Monday before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to both offences.
According to SOCU, investigations revealed that on August 20, 2025, James visited Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited’s Camp Street, Georgetown branch and presented a Bank of Guyana cheque for $17 million, drawn on the Maintenance Account of the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.
The cheque purportedly represented payment for rehabilitation works allegedly carried out at the court. James reportedly encashed the cheque and received the full $17 million in cash.
He also presented an official letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court. Investigations subsequently revealed that the letter and the signature appearing on the cheque were allegedly forged.
James was charged with money laundering, contrary to Section 3(1)(c) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Chapter 10:11, and uttering a forged document with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01. The prosecution objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offences, the substantial sum involved and the penalties prescribed by law. However, James was granted bail in the sum of $400,000. He was unrepresented, while SOCU was represented by Prosecutor Darin Chan. The matter was adjourned to November 16.

Court clerk charged
Meanwhile, SOCU has also charged Rocquel Charter, a Legal Clerk II attached to the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts, with forgery of a negotiable instrument and forgery of a document with intent to defraud.

Investigators allege that between August 18 and 20, 2025, Charter allegedly forged a Bank of Guyana cheque for $17 million, drawn on the court’s maintenance account and made payable to James, by falsely signing the name of the Clerk of Court, who was an authorised signatory to the account.
Charter is also accused of forging a letter purportedly issued and signed by the Clerk of Court, falsely authorising payment of $17 million to James for rehabilitation works allegedly carried out at the court.
She was charged with forgery of a negotiable instrument, contrary to Section 256, and forgery of a document with intent to defraud, contrary to Section 277 of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:01.
Charter appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Diamond Magistrates’ Courts, where both charges were read to her. She pleaded not guilty.
Her Attorney, Ronald Daniels, applied for bail, but the prosecution objected, citing the seriousness of the offences, the potential penalties upon conviction and the circumstances surrounding the alleged forgery of official court documents involving $17 million. Charter was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $500,000, subject to conditions imposed by the court. The matter was adjourned to November 30.
SOCU in a press release on Tuesday said it remains committed to investigating and prosecuting money laundering, fraud and other financial crimes and bringing persons suspected of such offences before the courts in accordance with the law.