Western 10 plead not guilty in salary scam case
MONTEGO BAY, St James – The 10 former employees of the Western Regional Health Authority charged with fraud following the uncovering a of $2.3 million scam at the Cornwall Regional Hospital last Friday, pleaded not guilty when they appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate court yesterday.
The 10 who were all granted station bail over the weekend were ordered by the Senior Resident Magistrate Winsome Henry, as a condition of their bail, to report to their nearest police stations every Monday.
Meanwhile an investigating officer probing the case said that the mastermind behind the fraud is still at large.
The persons facing charges are:
. Marlene Dolphy, 35, a member of the kitchen staff, of Hart Street, Montego Bay;
. Ledford Allen, 45, maintenance worker of Maroon Town;
. Vincent Clarke, 34, porter of Rose Heights;
. Oniel Daley, 29, transport worker of Granville;
. Greg Franklyn, 27, a member of the kitchen staff, of Hart Street;
. Derrick Kurtain 44, maintenance worker, of Joan Avenue, Glendevon;
. Donna Roderick, 34, member of the kitchen staff, of Pitfour;
. Witbur Simpson, 26, maintenance worker of Jarrett Street;
. Dean Gillings, 35, transport worker of Johns Hall, all in St James; and
. Hopeton Grant, 27, a maintenance worker of Maxfield in Hanover.
They are to reappear July 27.
It is alleged that between January and June, the 10 employees conspired with a pay clerk and accepted overpayment on their salary cheques. An audit revealed that a total of $2.3 million was misappropriated.