MMC Fraud Trial
More WhatsApp messages show web of conspiracy, prosecutor charges
Published:Saturday | January 11, 2020 | 12:20 AMTamara Bailey/Gleaner Writer
PORUS, Manchester:
As more messages from WhatsApp conversations emerged in the Manchester Municipal Corporation multimillion-dollar fraud trial yesterday, the prosecution is maintaining that the requests for money were arbitrary in nature.
According to prosecutor Channa Ormsby, the conversations in question were between accused former deputy superintendent of roads and works at the then Manchester Parish Council, Sanja Elliott; former secretary manager and director of finance, David Harris; and former temporary works overseer Kendale Roberts.
Ormsby said that there was consistent trafficking of names and tax registration numbers, and other evidence that the payees on the cheques were being used as conduits to defraud the corporation.
Among the messages Harris and Elliott were alleged to have traded were “1.5 mil will be given to you in the day, give me the names you want asap” and “1.7 mil you getting ... Had to go over a little based on cheque amount lol”.
Prosecutors also claim that Roberts and Elliott exchanged WhatsApp messages that indicated an intent to defraud:
“... Find a name and put 50 for yourself.”
“Send some names.”
“How much.”
“6.”
“You send Dem quick lol.”
“Send your service fee.”
The Crown also detailed numerous instances where requests were made for millions of dollars.
The prosecution said there were discrepancies between the areas for which Harris’ endorsement of cheques for work were related and the testimony given by payees.
“We see the same conduct by Harris, Elliott, Roberts who certified those contractor invoices. But what were they certifying?” Ormsby asked.
The prosecutor argued that even the accused’s efforts to disguise the operation were evident, as one witness, who said she had encashed about 40 cheques totalling $15 million, was told to say, if she was questioned, that she was a contractor who completed beautification work on behalf of the corporation.
This witness had also revealed that she had met Elliott at the gym, was asked for her name and TRN once when he gave her a lift, and had never worked or caused work to be done at or on the behalf of the corporation.
Former bank employee Radcliffe McLean was accused of being complicit in the scheme by facilitating the encashment of cheques, on numerous occasions, for persons who were not named payees and who did not endorse the cheques.
Despite several interjections from presiding Judge Ann-Marie Grainger, seeking clarification on the lines of argument, Ormsby urged that the matter be examined holistically and the full gamut of the fraud assessed.
The matter continues on Thursday, January 16 in the Porus Court.