Former Minister of Public Service Jennifer Westford and the ministry’s past Chief Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings yesterday both entered not guilty pleas on all 24 charges laid against them over the alleged theft of $639 million from the Government of Guyana
At their previous hearing, Westford and Cummings were not required to plead to the charges.
Yesterday, however, the prosecution requested the Administration of Justice Act be applied, allowing the women to enter not guilty pleas on all the charges, which were re-read by Magistrate Judy Latchman. The matter was then adjourned to March 22, for commencement.
On the last occasion, Westford and Cummings were granted $200,000 bail on each charge, taking their bail total to $4.8 million.
It was stated that between the period of October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, Westford and Cummings, while being employed with the Public Service Ministry, stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.
The allegations, as presented by the prosecution, are that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was claimed to be requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.
Investigations later revealed, however, that there was no documentation to show how the cash was spent and no money was ever recovered.
