Man who impersonated Housing Minister’s father slapped with fraud charge

A 53-year-old construction worker was on Monday charged with obtaining money by false pretence after allegedly impersonating the father of Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues.

Gavin Rodrigues, of Lot 15 Robb Street, Bourda, Georgetown, was arrested on Friday following reports that he had approached individuals while falsely claiming to be Minister Rodrigues’ father and soliciting funds.
On Monday, he appeared before Magistrate Ravindranauth Singh at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrates’ Court, where the charge of obtaining money by false pretence was formally read to him.
The offence is in contravention of Section 99 (b) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act, Chapter 8:02, as amended by Act 10 of 1998.
Rodrigues pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $50,000 bail. The case will continue on June 23.