THE police are seeking two more suspects implicated in the multimillion dollar ‘dead claim’ scam at the Accountant General’s Department (AGD), the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court was told on Tuesday.

At the same time, the court heard that the amount allegedly defrauded now stands at $21.7 million, most of which the court was told “is already gone”, while the alleged mastermind, Julio Parkinson, has reportedly admitted his role in the matter.

On Tuesday, attorney Anthony Pearson pointed out that Parkinson did not have an attorney when he allegedly made the admission after being cautioned.

But the prosecution shot back, saying that Parkinson had said that he didn’t want an attorney after the duty counsel he had at his arrest withdrew from the matter.

According to the prosecution, Parkinson admitted in his caution statement to reactivating payment to 11 pensioners. The prosecution said it had discovered another case, making it 12. Two of those 12 are persons said to be living overseas. The court was told that Parkinson informed the police of the mechanism he used to carry out the alleged fraud.

Meanwhile, 29 additional counts of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and obtaining money by false pretence were between Monday and Tuesday morning laid against the five men charged in the matter.

The disclosures were also made Tuesday when Meisha Parkinson — sister of alleged mastermind Julio Parkinson — was offered bail in the sum of $2 million following an application by Pearson. She has been charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

“I think if anybody is the victim it’s her,” said Senior Magistrate’s Judith Pusey, in offering her bail.

At the same time, RM Pusey denied bail applications made on behalf of accused Kemar Lewis, Rameish Watson and Anthony Monroe. No bail application was made on behalf of Julio Parkinson, who was an accounting technician at the AGD working with pensions.

All six were arrested and charged last week Tuesday.

Allegations are that between February and October of this year Parkinson acted in concert with the men to open bank accounts across the Corporate Area, while Watson is alleged to have caused pension monies in the sum of millions to be deposited in those accounts.

Meisha Parkinson was charged after allegations that she allowed a man access to her brother’s house to remove evidence.

The court was told Tuesday that $6.9 million was deposited into Parkinson’s bank account, while some $1.74 million was deposited into Munroe’s account. Watson’s account was allegedly topped up to the tune of $3 million and $1.7 million was placed in Lewis’ account. Some $10.8 million was allegedly placed in the accounts of the two men who are yet to be held.

The court was told that investigations into the matter started after Munroe attempted to withdraw $3 million from his bank account.

The accused are all to return to court on December 9.

— Paul Henry