Former minister, assistant freed of $600M larceny charge

…magistrate cites insufficient evidence

Former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Public Service Minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her administrative assistant Margaret Cummings were on Friday freed of a $600 million larceny charge.
The duo had been before the court on an allegation that they had stolen over $600 million from the Government of Guyana while they were employed at the Public Service Ministry.
In 2016 Westford and Cummings were each placed on $4.8 million bail by Magistrate Judy Latchman, after denying 24 charges which alleged that they had stolen more than $639 million while being employed in public office. The prosecution had contended that the money was stolen between October 19th, 2011 and April 28th, 2015. The Prosecution also contended that the monies were

requested to conduct outreaches in the 10 administrative regions of Guyana.
The team of attorneys that had represented the duo comprised Dexter Todd, Keisha Chase, Rexford McKay, Neil Boston, Eusi Anderson, Bibi Shaddick and Brandon Glasford. In court on Friday, Magistrate Latchman upheld the no-case submission made by Attorney Dexter Todd; and in handing down her decision, noted that the charges were bad in law, as Westford, according to the Guyana Constitution, was a Government minister and not a public officer.
With respect to Cummings, who was a public officer, the magistrate said there was insufficient evidence for a conviction. She added that there was no evidence to show that the money was taken and not used for its intended purposes.
A total of 48 witnesses had been called during this trial.