By Latrishka Thomas
The trial of a man accused of defrauding a car dealership concluded this week with summative arguments from both the prosecution and defence.
Dylan Simon, who worked as a clerk and sales representative at Hadeed Motors from 1998 to 2020, is facing eight charges, including the larceny of a Suzuki Vitara, forging a signature on an exit and entry form for the vehicle, and uttering the forged document.
He is also charged with inputting false data into Hadeed’s system, obtaining a commission for the vehicle sale under false pretences, and the larceny of another vehicle.
The crimes are said to have occurred between December 30, 2019, and January 3, 2020.
The alleged fraud came to light in May 2020 when the company resumed operations after a Covid-19 lockdown.
An internal audit revealed discrepancies in transactions handled by Simon during the lockdown period when the company was operating manually.
These findings prompted an investigation, which led to Simon’s arrest and subsequent charges.
Simon vehemently denies all charges and claims he is being framed.
His lawyer, Lawrence Daniels, delivered closing statements yesterday, arguing that his client did not input false data. Daniels suggested that someone else might have used Simon’s profile, which he claimed was a common practice at the company.
The defence also contended that there were no strict procedures or policies at Hadeed Motors, particularly regarding the signing of entry and exit forms.
In response, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Shannon Jones-Gittens characterised the case as one of “contrivance and manipulation”.
She alleged that Simon leveraged his accounting skills to defraud his workplace in a seemingly flawless manner.
Justice Tunde Bakre will deliver his verdict on July 23.
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