Former Genequip clerk charged with embezzling nearly $30M

A former clerk of General Equipment Guyana Limited (Genequip), alleged to have stolen nearly $30 million from the company, was yesterday arraigned on 34 counts of embezzlement at a city court.

Lorraine Lamazon, a mother of three, of 1925 Section ‘C’ Diamond Housing Scheme, was read the 34 indictable charges by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Lorraine Lamazon
Lorraine Lamazon

According to the particulars of the charges, the offences occurred between the period of June, 2014 and March, 2015, at McDoom and Farm, East Bank Demerara.

It was heard that during the period of June, 2014, while being a clerk or servant to General Equipment Guyana Limited, Lamazon fraudulently embezzled $2,284,477 taken in possession by her for or on account of the company.

Similar transactions allegedly took place during the months of October, 2014, when a total of $1,300,001.60 was embezzled; December, 2014, when $6,608,163.03 was taken; $4,363,496.89 during the month of January, 2015; $4,359,471.31 during February 2015, $9,534,891.75 in the month of March, 2015 and $1,488,629.64 in April 2015.

Attorney Nigel Hughes told the court that his client, Lamazon, had been an employee with General Equipment Guyana Limited for 20 years and had an unblemished record. He further stated that since investigations began last April she has been on bail and continues to report regularly, proving that she is not a flight risk.

The accused was placed on $900,000 bail on the condition that she report to the Fraud Squad at the Eve Leary Police Station fortnightly. She is required to make her next court appearance on February 29.