Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

A FORMER employee of the Iberostar Hotel in Rose Hall, St. James, who allegedly defrauded the resort of more than $12 million, was remanded when she appeared before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court on Friday.

Former payables clerk, 24-year-old Janice Caruthers of Paradise, Norwood, was charged with larceny as a servant, conspiracy to defraud, and falsifying accounts.

She did not enter a plea as her attorney, Morrel Beckford, said he wanted to peruse the case file so that he could properly advise his client.

Caruthers was arrested after it was discovered that between May and July she and another employee, Carla Campbell, who has since left the island, stole cheque leaves and forged signatures on them.

They also allegedly created suppliers, made out cheques to them, and created fictitious invoices.

It is also said that false information was endorsed on the system to reflect that the suppliers had been paid $31,137,797.77 through various departments.

Caruthers was interviewed by members of the Area One Fraud Squad on July 26 when she made certain admissions, and subsequently turned over $499,000 which she had at her home.

She also admitted to buying her boyfriend a $1.3 million 2004 Honda Civic motor car, and that $680,000 was being stored in a kennel at his house.

These were subsequently recovered by the police.

In the meantime, Beckford, in making a bail application on behalf of his client, said the only charge that the prosecution might be able to prove was larceny.

He also argued that his client's rights were somewhat violated as her alleged admissions were made in his absence.

He also said Caruthers, the mother of a two-year-old daughter, was a law-abiding citizen up to time of the alleged offence.

However, Resident Magistrate Wilson Smith denied the bail application, and urged the investigating officer to expedite his probe so that the case file can be completed by the next court appearance scheduled for August 23.

The judge said he had to be very careful in making decisions regarding bail, especially given that money was recovered from the accused and she made admissions.