Defendants in Seprod fraud case to return to court on May 31

 

Twenty-four of the 25 men charged in connection with the $160 million fraud at Seprod are to return to court on May 31, for conditions to be added to their $400,000 bail.

 

The men made their first appearance in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Monday morning.

 

Prior to the extension of their bail, the court was told that the case file is incomplete.

 

The court was informed that a statement and document from the Communication Forensic Cybercrimes Department of the Jamaica Constabulary Force is outstanding.

 

Attorney CJ Mitchell is to make a bail application for one of the defendants, Jason Grant.

 

Prior to extending bail for Mr. Grant's co-accused, Parish Court Judge Leighton Morris said defence attorneys should receive disclosure after the case file is complete.

 

The accused are also to return on September 25 for the matter to be mentioned.

 

A fingerprint order was also made.

 

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey, during a press conference last month, disclosed that the fraud scheme is believed to have had its genesis in October 2021, days after the company's Newport West warehouse and offices were gutted by fire and resulted in losses estimated at more than $1 billion.

 

When the fraud was detected seven months later, $159.8 million had already been stolen from the company.