Fraud convict with presidential pardon back in court for fraud
Khemwattie Ramnauth
A woman who was pardoned by former President David Granger in 2017 from serving a prison sentence on fraud-related convictions is back in court again accused of similar crimes.
47-year-old Khemawattie Ramnauth of 51 Public Road, Grove East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Dylon Bess at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday. She was granted bail in the sum of $3 million.
The first charge stated that between February 20, 2020 and August 24, 2020, she obtained from Brian Perriera the sum of $6,500,000 by falsely pretending her name is Latchmin Shiwmabgal, the registered owner of a property situated at Block XXX Zone East Bank Demerara parcel 1107, part of South Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown and that she was in the position to sell same to him, knowing same to be false.
The second charge states between February 20, 2020, October 5, 2021 with intent to defraud, she forged one United States of America passport # 454099867 in the name Shirley Shiwmangal with a picture bearing her likeness, purporting to show that same was issued by the United States Department of State, knowing same to be forged.
The woman pleaded not guilty to both charges after they were read.
The court was told that the woman is known to Police since she was previously charged with similar offences and was pardoned from serving a prison sentence by former President Granger in 2017.
The court heard that Perriera went to the Police and stated that he paid the woman $6,500,000 for a property and later discovered that she was not the owner of the said property.
As a result, she was arrested. It was then the police found an American passport with her picture with a different name.
In February 2017, Ramnauth was among several prisoners pardoned by Former President David Granger for the country’s 47thRepublic anniversary.
A statement from the then Ministry of Public Security stated that the woman were all prisoners who the then Head of State considers to be “fit and proper” to receive such pardons.
The statement disclosed that the women had all served the majority of their respective sentences. “It is expected that this expression of compassion and humanity by His Excellency will result in families being re-united, and the pardoned offenders leading good and useful lives hereon,” the missive added.
