A former employee of rights group Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ), who reportedly defrauded the organisation of almost $3 million, was yesterday hauled before the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court.

Tameka Smith, 28, the organisation’s former accountant and administration supervisor, is facing 18 counts of larceny as a servant.

According to court documents, between October 2009 and July 2011, Smith, who had overall responsibility for the financial operation of the organisation, allegedly overpaid herself monthly to the tune of $2,832,207. The sums reportedly ranged from a low of just over $23,000 to a high of $300,000.

Smith, of Greater Portmore in St Catherine, was arrested on December 9 following an audit, which showed that she had allegedly misappropriated the organisation’s funds.

When she appeared in court yesterday with her attorney Chris Tavares-Finson, Smith’s station bail was extended for her to return to court on January 24 for a plea and case management hearing.