KINGSTON, Jamaica — A former internal auditor at a credit union pleaded guilty to simple larceny after she spent more than $2.3 million that was sent to her bank account in error by her previous employers.

On July 11, 2024, Feleisha Gordon-Outar was mistakenly sent funds totalling $2,359,242.90 from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Co-operative Credit Union where she worked previously until she resigned. The error was later registered on August 24, 2024 and representatives from the credit union contacted Gordon-Outar asking her to return the funds. She, however, asked them for six months to repay the money. None of the money is yet to be repaid.

Appearing before Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, Gordon-Outar’s attorney argued that there was a misunderstanding regarding the purpose of the funds.

She explained that while the funds have not yet been returned, it is her client’s intention to repay the money but she pleaded with the judge for some time to make the payments.

“She spend the people money,” Judge Burrell commented.

In their account, the complainants told the judge that the funds were member fees and expressed disappointment with Gordon-Outar’s actions given her prior relationship with the credit union and her familiarity with their operations.

“She knows what we do there,” one of the credit union’s representatives told the court.

The representative told the court that Gordon-Outar had sent an email requesting to repay the money over a six month period which was denied given that she had immediately withdrawn and spent the money within a month. She said the credit union would only permit a payback period of one month, adding that Gordon-Outar is further in debt to the credit union with other loans.

Agreeing with the complainants, Judge Burrell ordered Gordon-Outar to repay the money in entirety on December 20 when she will return to court.

Her sentencing was postponed until then.

— Kelsey Thomas