Tashieka Mair, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

The uncle of a woman accused of defrauding Iberostar Hotel in St. James of over $12 million was on Wednesday brought before the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court in connection with the incident.

Claude Downes, a 28-year-old resident of Coral Gardens in St. James, pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of forged documents, two counts of uttering forged documents, two counts of obtaining money by use of forged documents, and escaping custody.

He was arrested August 3 when he attended court for a hearing for his niece, Janice Caruthers. Caruthers and another former payables clerk of the resort allegedly stole cheque leaves from the hotel's account, and forged signatures. These cheques were allegedly made out to fictitious suppliers.

Complicit in crime

The prosecution alleges that Downes was one of the persons to whom two of the cheques - totalling $1,110,802 - were made out to and were encashed in May and June.

Further allegations are that, on the day of his arrest, he jumped from the police service vehicle and ran. He was chased and held.

His attorney George Duncan, in a bail application before RM Wilson Smith, said his client did not benefit from this venture as he only changed the cheques as a favour for a relative.

"He was willing to assist others and got himself into trouble, let him help himself now," commented RM Smith before ordering that Downes be remanded.

"This country is heading into hell. Everyone is corrupt," the judge added.

Mr. Downes is scheduled to return to court on August 23, the same date the Caruthers matter will be mentioned.