ST JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) – Authorities have charged a seventh former government official with conspiracy to defraud Antigua’s health insurance plan of thousands of dollars.

Former Health Minister Bernard Percival was among 12 people implicated by an August 2002 government inquiry report, which said Percival showed “poor judgement and a lack of awareness” about the alleged misuse of funds at the Medical Benefits Scheme.

Percival, who was fired from his post in 2002, has publicly denied any wrongdoing. On Wednesday he was released from custody on Eastern Caribbean $20,000 (US$7,500) bail until his March 15 hearing in St John’s Magistrate’s Court.

Authorities have also charged a contractor, two former managers, two external auditors and former Health Minister Hilroy Humphreys in the case. All have denied wrongdoing.

The inquiry began almost three years ago after a government audit showed evidence of embezzlement through false claims and questionable accounting.

Testimony during the inquiry revealed that claims were paid for health care cases that did not exist, that cheques were cashed for patients who never received benefits, and that the denial of legitimate claims led to the death of at least one patient.

Five others implicated by the 2002 inquiry report have yet to be charged. Investigating police have said they need time to build evidence for the prosecution.

Percival is jointly charged with former superintendent Cavelle John, accountant Elmeade Jarvis and external auditors Andy Jacobs and Michael Johnson with defrauding the programme of EC$87,000 (US$32,000).

John, Jarvis and Jacobs are also jointly charged with Humphreys and contractor Dave George with defrauding the programme of EC$400,000 (US$150,500). Jacobs fled the Caribbean country last year, authorities said.

Humphreys and George have filed a court motion questioning whether an impartial jury can be found in Antigua.

Humphreys, who was health minister in the early 1990s, lost a High Court motion for a judicial review of the inquiry’s findings, with the judge ruling in June that the commission acted properly.