Prosecutors in waiver fraud trial request more time

Former Senior Director for tax policy in the Ministry of Finance, Cherry Gordon, was back in court on Thursday.

Ms Gordon and businessman, Alton Brown, who are charged jointly on allegations of fraud and conspiracy in a major tax-waiver racket uncovered in the Finance Ministry, appeared before the Corporate Area Court.

However, the chief investigator told the court he needed another month to wrap up his investigations.

According to him, a high level probe is being conducted to determine the extent of the tax-waiver fraud.

Ms Gordon and Mr. Brown are to return to court on September 20.

The two have been charged with several counts of conspiracy, fraud and breaches of the Corruption Prevention and Customs Acts.

Investigators allege that from last year to early this year, Mr. Brown, who acted as an intermediary or "middle man" in the scheme, conspired with Ms. Gordon, to secure a fraudulent waiver letter for a 2005 Nissan Titan pick-up.  

The letter was signed by Ms. Gordon, ostensibly on behalf of the Financial Secretary.

However, she was never authorised to sign in such a capacity, and further checks revealed that Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, who has sole responsibility to grant waivers, did not grant a waiver for the vehicle in question.     

Investigators say they are now going after vehicles and persons who received tax waivers from Ms. Gordon.

The cops recently seized a BMW X-5 motor car, which was imported with the false tax waiver.