Trial to commence into second set of fraud charges against convicted former GRDB Manager

One year after former accountant at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for omitting $145 million from the GRDB’s ledger,  the trial into the second set of fraud charges against him is yet to commence. 

Ramcharran has since filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence and was released on $2 million bail by the High Court. After conducting a trial, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan found Ramcharran guilty on the 17 charges for fraudulent misappropriation and five counts of falsification of accounts.High Cour

The remaining 17 charges which alleged that he kept fraudulent accounts are currently before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus. On several occasions, the matters were called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, but a trial is yet to begin. This publication understands that Ramcharran’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes is requesting for the 17 matters to be consolidated.

The police prosecutor, on the other hand, is requesting that the matter be dealt with individually. In the circumstances, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus had instructed the defence and prosecution to layover submissions in support of their position. The Magistrate is expected to commence the first of the 17 trials on Friday, March 26, 2021.

Ramcharran of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was charged in March 2019 after being deported from Canada where he was fighting extradition to Guyana.

According to the pending charges against him, between 2011 and 2012, at the GRDB’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingston head office, he fraudulently took $5.1 million or used the sum for his own use and benefit, or any use and purpose other than that of the GRDB.

Between 2009-2015, a forensic audit was ordered by the previous APNU/AFC Coalition Government after several alarming discoveries were made at the GRDB. The Police were called in, and after investigations charges were filed against Ramcharran.