Van West-Charles reportedly gives GEA fake documents, placed on bail

Former Chairman of Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Dr. Richard Van West-Charles who is also the director of Atlantic Fuels Inc was on Monday charged for furnishing false or misleading information to the Guyana Energy Agency.

Van West-Charles, 72, of 301 Meadowbrook Drive, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Marcus- Isaacs at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The charge stated that on November 13, 2020, he submitted invoice #100 to GEA Headquarters at 295 Quamina Street, South Cummingsburg, Georgetown regarding a shipment of diesel claimed to have been purchased from Global Oil NV knowing the same to be false or misleading.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted $100,000 bail. His lawyer is Siand Dhurjon.

The charge was filed against the former GWI Chairman by Mahender Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency.  The matter is adjourned to August 16.

In January 2021, a representative for Atlantic Fuels was charged and released on $300,000 bail for making a false declaration to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Eugene Gilbert was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Gilbert pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on November 12, 2020, at GRA’s Lot 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, headquarters, he caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration to GRA, with invoice number 100 for customs declaration reference number GY 410C.

This complaint against the fuel company was made by the Commissioner-General of GRA Godfrey Statia.

However, this is not the first time the fuel company has been accused of breaching the Customs Act.  In fact, in 2019, the company was under investigation by GRA for falsifying invoices.

The fuel company was granted its import/export license in 2016. Ever since it has been embroiled in controversy.