Men charged with selling 'clean' police records and continued on job for court February

Two court employees, who were arrested and charged for allegedly selling fraudulent ‘clean’ police records, remained on the job at the St Mary Parish Court for several days after they were nabbed by the police.

Fifty-three-year-old assistant clerk, Shirlett Lawson, was charged on January 4 with two counts of forgery, two counts of conspiracy to defraud and misconduct in public office.

On the same day, another assistant clerk, 36-year-old Andre Walsh, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud and misconduct in public office.

However, according to law enforcement officials, the two continued to show up for work even after making their first court appearance days after their arrest.

Responding to queries from The Gleaner yesterday, the Court Management Service, said it was informed of the allegations against the two employees on January 16 and immediately sent them on leave pending the outcome of both cases.

According to the allegations before the court, Walsh collected $10,000 to produce a clean criminal record for a man, previously charged by the police.

It is alleged that he conspired with Lawson to forge a certificate of dismissal for the man.

Meanwhile, it’s alleged that Lawson forged letters for two men who were previously charged by the police, indicating that the charges were dismissed.

Walsh and Lawson are scheduled to return to court on February 26.