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A former civil servant is standing trial in Supreme Court, accused of defrauding a community development initiative of more than $40,000.  Valderine Watkins, who worked as a secretary in the Ministry of Housing under former Minster Shane Gibson at the time of the alleged incident, denies the allegations.

#Watkins, along with co-defendant Stanley Nixon, is being tried before Justice Roy Jones on multiple charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses, forgery and uttering forge documents and other charges.  The prosecution claims that between 2006 and 2007, the pair conspired to and committed fraud by forging contracts which were used to obtain funds that were expected to be used to the benefit the Urban Renewal Programme.

#It is claimed Watkins forged contracts to Nixon, who received funds in excess of $40,000 to start works for the Urban Renewal Programme that reportedly never commenced.  There are 30 witnesses expected to give evidence.  In yesterday’s court proceedings, a jury was empanelled to hear evidence in the case.

#However, the matter did not commence as legal issues arose that led to discussions in the absence of the jury.  The trial resumes today.
Watkins is defended by Romona Farquharson-Seymour and Cheryl Bazard while attorney Dorsey McPhee was retained by Nixon.  The prosecution is made up of Roger Thompson, Anishka Hanchell and Algernon Allen II.

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