APNU+AFC member Carol Smith-Joseph was on Wednesday slapped with three charges in relation to electoral fraud while PNC Chairman Volda Lawrence and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo faced additional charges.
Joseph made her first court appearance and was represented by Attorney Nigel Hughes who told the media that his client faced two charges of conspiracy to defraud and one count of forgery.
She was released on $30,000 bail for each charge, paying a total of $90,000.
Joseph first visited the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on September 29 after she was told she was wanted for questioning as the Police probe the circumstances surrounding the March 2, 2020 elections and events thereafter.
The Opposition activist was charged jointly with Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) employee Clairmont Mingo who is already facing several other fraud charges. Mingo, who served as the Returning Officer for Region Four during the March 2020 elections, was also granted $30,000 bail on each charge totaling $90,000.
Also appearing in Court on Wednesday was Lawrence, who is already before the court on electoral fraud charges. She was charged for forgery and was placed on $30,000 bail.
The prosecutor did not object to bail for any of the accused.
The case was adjourned to October 28, 2020.
Mingo and Lawrence are before the court on private criminal charges filed by PPP/C member and current Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, Jnr. on March 16. The charge alleging forgery was filed against her and Mingo since their signatures were found on the declaration form for Region Four. a national vote recount found that the numbers were inflated in favour of the Coalition.
That case comes up on November 16.
Also before the courts on similar charges are Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers and other GECOM staff.
No reason they should not have bail except if they decide to enter a plea bargain they all must be very careful for their safety. Your friends might not be so much anymore.