Court supervisor charged over $1.1M fraud

A supervisor at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court was yesterday placed on $100,000 bail after he denied that he stole $1.1 million from the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in 2012.

Richard Boodhoo, 29, pleaded not guilty to the allegation that between January 16, 2012 and August 7, 2012, at Georgetown, being a public officer employed by the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, he stole $1,127,000 belonging to and in possession of the state, property of the registry of the Supreme Court.

He was represented in the matter by attorney Peter Hugh, who said the matter has been under investigation since 2012. He told the court that since that time, his client has been cooperating with police and has reported as necessary to authorities, showing that he is not a flight risk.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones did not object to bail, but asked that conditions be applied. Boodhoo was placed on $100,000 bail and is required to report to the Fraud Squad fortnightly. His return to court is set for June 14.