Sentencing again delayed for former NCB wealth manager convicted of fraud

By Clinton McGregor   

 

The sentencing hearing for former National Commercial Bank Wealth Manager, Khadene Thomas, was again delayed on Wednesday before the St. Ann Parish Court.

 

Trial Judge Lorna Montaque-Williams delayed the sentencing until June 27, after Ms. Thomas failed to make full restitution to the bank on Wednesday.

 

This was disclosed by her attorney, Matthew Hyatt, who told Radio Jamaica News that his client intends to return most of the J$70 million the stolen from the bank.

 

"I can say that Ms. Thomas has a US$100,000 so far out of the $400,000 and we will be making full restitution in this matter. We have asked the court to consider a suspended sentence in this matter, and while some may think that it is a soft sentence, one must be reminded that a suspended sentence is still a form of custodial sentence and the judge ultimately will look at the circumstances of the case and then decide what sentence is the most appropriate in these circumstances," he explained. 

 

Ms. Thomas pleaded guilty in February to stealing $74.5 million from the St. Ann's Bay branch of the National Commercial Bank.

 

Prosecutors had reported that she transferred the sums from the accounts of three customers during the period May 21, 2019 to December 20, 2022.

 

The NCB Wealth Manager was arrested last January after the transfer of at least J$5 million from a customer's account sparked an investigation.

 

The 36-year-old banker is to be sentenced on 31 counts of uttering forged documents.