By Elesha George
Yvonne Cornwall, a Potters resident and employee in the Government’s Work Experience Programme, had her charge sheet reduced following allegations that she stole over $100,000 from the government.
Cornwall was initially charged with one count of larceny by servant, two counts of money laundering, and 12 counts of obtaining money by false pretenses. However, the prosecution dropped three of the charges, stating that they were duplicated.
Cornwall, who was granted $150,000 bail last August, will continue to observe her bail conditions. The case has been adjourned to March 11 for further proceedings.
The charges stem from a high-level investigation into alleged fraud within the Work Experience Programme, led by the Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy (ONDCP). The investigation reportedly uncovered over $300,000 in Cornwall’s bank account.
The matter came to light when a former participant in the programme, who had been away from the island for several months, tried to obtain documents from a statutory corporation for new government employment. It was then revealed that statutory deductions had been made in her name, as well as for several other former participants who had long since left the programme.