Former labour ministry employee convicted for stealing funds intended to help poor

A former employee of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) has been convicted for using her position to steal more than $800,000 from one of the ministry's aid programmes.

Alvira Campbell, 35, pleaded guilty to the charges in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court last week Wednesday, following her arrest and charge on January 13, 2022.

Her arrest followed an investigation by agents of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) who were alerted by the MLSS following a 2018 internal audit that uncovered a number of irregularities within the Public Assistance Department. The department was responsible for reviewing applications and disbursing aid under the Rehabilitation Programme.

MOCA's investigation revealed that between January 2014 and November 2017, Campbell exploited her position to illegally obtain a total of $807,500.

The funds were used to cover tuition fees for herself at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) and for her son at the Mico Foundation.

Campbell was arrested on January 13, 2022, following a search of her residence, which led to the seizure of several items.

She was subsequently interviewed by MOCA officers and later charged with larceny as a servant and money laundering.

Director of Communications of MOCA,  Major Basil Jarrett, says "This conviction underscores the serious consequences of corruption and other illegal activities in the public sector, and highlights the diligent efforts of MOCA's law enforcement agents in investigating and prosecuting corrupt individuals".

Campbell is to be sentenced on July 31, 2024.

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