A West Coast Berbice man, Hemraj Singh Pahalad of Number 11 Village, was on Thursday found guilty of embezzlement and larceny after stealing more than $13 million from his former employer.
Pahalad was convicted following a trial at the Berbice High Court before Justice Deborah Kumar-Chetty.
Court records showed that between February 12 and 16, 2013, Pahalad—who worked as a clerk or servant for businessman Ramdial Ramoutar—fraudulently obtained more than $3 million collected on behalf of his employer. The court also heard that during the same period, he embezzled an additional $3,071,500, bringing the total proven cash theft to over $6 million.
In addition, the court found that between February 2 and 16, 2013, Pahalad stole large quantities of flour belonging to Ramoutar, including hundreds of bags of various types valued at $10,127,995.
Combined, the offences resulted in losses exceeding $13 million.
Although Pahalad pleaded not guilty to all three charges, the jury acquitted him on one embezzlement count but found him guilty on a second embezzlement charge and the larceny charge.
After the verdict, Justice Kumar-Chetty revoked his bail and remanded him to prison pending sentencing on April 30.
The court also ordered that a probation report, victim impact statement, and submissions on aggravating and mitigating factors be filed by April 21.
Pahalad is represented by Attorney-at-Law Charlyn Artiga, while the State is represented by Marisa Edwards.
