A 42-year-old labourer was yesterday placed on $50,000 bail after appearing in the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court on the charge of intent to defraud the Guyana Revenue Authority.
Lesley Paul of Lot 89 Leopold Street, Georgetown, made his appearance before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, who read the charge to him which alleges that on May 13th 2022 in Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Daniel Deonarine, an officer at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), a forged driver’s licence purporting to be his and that it was issued by the said GRA. Paul was represented by Attorney Stacy Goodings who argued that her client was contacted sometime in April of last year by someone who offered to get his document in order and told him that he was only to produce a picture of himself.
According to Goodings, her client only acted on the procedure which was related to him. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, was placed on $50,000 bail and the matter was adjourned until January 30th, he is also to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters at the Major Crimes Unit once a month.
On Friday last, the GRA had issued a release on their Facebook page informing persons of the number of collusions that were discovered by their investigating team and encouraged the public to desist from such acts with GRA employees. In the release GRA stated, “The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently uncovered a number of fraudulent practices involving persons applying for various categories of licences,” while noting that the agency took strong disciplinary actions which included dismissing some of its employees.
It further stated, “In an effort to prevent such practices, the Authority is cautioning members of the general public against colluding with individuals, including GRA officers to perpetuate fraud in the course of completing a transaction. Persons found guilty of such unlawful actions are liable on summary conviction to fines and imprisonment for a maximum of six months, depending on the nature and severity of the offence.” It was said that the requirements to obtain various licences are listed on the agency’s website, www.gra.gov.gy or persons could contact them on WhatsApp on telephone number 707-9841 or 707-9842.
