Alleged $600M theft… Restart of Westford, Cummings trial slated for Sept 12

The trial of former minister in the PPP/C administration Dr Jennifer Westford and her former aide Margaret Cummings, for the alleged theft of over $600 million from the government, has been scheduled to recommence next month.

Jennifer Westford
Jennifer Westford

After the statements were filed and handed over to the attorneys representing Westford and Cummings in the courtroom of city magistrate Judy Latchman yesterday, the magistrate announced that September 12 would be appropriate for the trial to begin again. The proceedings were previously disrupted due to a misfiling of statements.

During the previous hearing, police prosecutor Vishnu Hunt informed the court that a state prosecutor was assigned to the case by the Director of Public Prosecutors and he would be assisting.

Margaret Cummings
Margaret Cummings

The charge against Westford and Cummings is that between the period October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry, they stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.

It is also alleged 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 said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.