Jamaica: Funeral Home Director charged over stolen hospital masks, gloves

Kingston Public Hospital
Kingston Public Hospital

(Jamaica Gleaner) Paul Adolphous Brown, a director of Brown’s Funeral Home in Kingston, has been charged in connection with the recent discovery of hundreds of hospital gloves and masks at the establishment located next door to the Kingston Public Hospital.

This was disclosed yesterday by Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey.

Brown has been charged with conspiracy to defraud and receiving stolen property.

The attorney representing Brown told The Gleaner yesterday that his client has denied the allegations against him.

“Primarily, the police are charging him as a director, as the person who is in Jamaica at this point, as it relates to being responsible for the company,” Christopher Townsend explained.

The attorney said Brown is only a figurehead in the family business.

“There are several brothers and sisters. He is one of two shareholders at this time. The business is managed by other persons. Mr Brown is primarily a figurehead director, he doesn’t take part in the day-to-day running of the business.

Speaking on the specific allegations against Brown, Townsend questioned whether there was evidence tying his client to the stolen items.

“From the evidence that I have seen, there is nothing to indicate that he had any knowledge at all of the purchase, and even further, whether or not the items were stolen. He is not the day-to-day person that runs the business,” said Townsend stressed.

Four other persons have also been charged.

They are Edward Clarke, Luke Anthony Dunn, Alton Smith and Mark Lloyd.

They, too, have been charged with conspiracy to defraud and simple larceny.

Townsend said that his client did not know his co-accused.

“He doesn’t know them any at all. We gather that they are persons connected to the Kingston Public Hospital,” he said.