DPP assigns State Prosecutor to Westford, Cummings trial

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has assigned State Prosecutor Teshana Lake to lead the prosecution in the trial of former PPP/C minister Dr Jennifer Westford and her former aide Margaret Cummings for the alleged theft of over $600 million from the government.

The appointment was announced yesterday by police prosecutor Vishnu Hunt, who has had the responsibilities for the case since the partial commencement of the trial in July.

Hunt told the court that the DPP had assigned Lake to further prosecute the matter, while he would be providing assistance.

Westford and Cummings had returned yesterday with their team of lawyers to be served with compiled statements by Hunt.  However, Hunt once again requested for more time from trial magistrate Judy Latchman and he was granted an adjournment until August 11.

Hunt, on the last occasion, had requested more time to compile statements for a handover to the defence.

Meanwhile, defence lawyer Neil Boston told the court that he hoped six days were sufficient enough for the statements to finally be produced.

The charge against Westford and Cummings is that between the period October 19, 2011 and April 28, 2015, while being employed with the former Public Service Ministry, they stole $639,420,000 belonging to the Government of Guyana, which they received by virtue of employment.

It is also alleged that between 2011 and 2015, Westford signed 24 memorandums amounting to $639,420,000 and sent them to the Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President to be signed and approved. The money was said to have been requested for activities to be conducted in the 10 administrative regions.