Ministry of Rural Development Cooperating with Fraud Squad on Stolen Cheques Allegations

August 22, 2017: Following the revelation last week of three fraudulent cheques at the Arima Borough Corporation totaling approximately $1.4 million, and a stolen cheque at the San Juan/Laventille Regional Corporation, the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government took immediate measures to work with the Fraud Squad of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to ensure that the matter is thoroughly and efficiently investigated.

Minister Haji Kazim Hosein has stated, “The Mayor of Arima, Lisa Morris-Julian, first alerted me to this matter in the Borough. I then notified the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Desdra Bascombe, so that our Accounting Unit could take the necessary actions. While we cannot speak to the details of these ongoing investigations, fraudulent activities in the Municipal Corporations will not be tolerated, and we are relying on the Fraud Squad to gather all information so that the responsible parties can be dealt with according to the law.”

The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has written to all relevant bodies requesting that the Fraud Squad be authorized to examine all evidence that they deem pertinent to these separate matters. This is merely a continuation of the vigilance and actions to stamp out corrupt activities in Municipal Corporations.

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