Fraud trial against Ruel Reid, Fritz Pinnock and co-accused pushed back to tomorrow

The long-awaited multimillion-dollar fraud case against former Education Minister Ruel Reid and his co-accused, which was slated to begin this morning, will now commence tomorrow in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

One witness is expected to take the stand, likely in the afternoon, following preliminary submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.

Presiding Parish Court Judge Vaughn Facey was absent when the matter was called up this afternoon.

As a result, Justice Leighton Morris heard the matter and bound over the witnesses and extended bail for the accused.

Reid, along with his wife, Sharen, and daughter, Sharelle, was arrested and charged in 2019.

Also charged are Jamaica Labour Party Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence and former Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) President, Professor Fritz Pinnock.

After leaving court, Reid tried to avoid being photographed and shouted "third term" while flashing the finger symbol of the ruling the Jamaica Labour Party.

He also used his jacket to cover up his face.

Reid and his co-accused were implicated in an alleged fraudulent scheme that allegedly siphoned more than $50 million from a government-run programme intended to support at-risk youth.

They face a range of charges, including breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act, conspiracy to defraud, misconduct in public office at common law, and violations of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Representing the prosecution from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are Ashtelle Steele and Nickeisha Young Shand.

Attorney Shawn Steadman is also prosecuting the matter on a fiat.

On the defence side, Ruel Reid is being represented by attorneys Linda Wright and Anthony Armstrong, while Shannon Clarke appears for his wife, Sharen. Carolyn Chuck is representing their daughter, Sharelle.

Attorney Oswest Senior-Smith is appearing for Kim Brown Lawrence, while Hugh Wildman and Shamar Bryan are representing Pinnock.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.