SOCU finds Carol Joseph solely approved and used $6.1M rice mill money

Carol Joseph, a leading figure in the opposition Peoples National Congress, faces 14 charges of fraud after the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) found that she approved funds by herself as director of the Mahaica Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS) Rice Milling Complex Limited and used the money for herself.

According to SOCU, it found that Joseph without authority, solely approved fourteen transactions amounting to $6,121,108.00 without the Board’s knowledge and approval between 1^st June 2016 and August 2016.

“These amounts were used for her personal benefits and other purposes other than that of Mahaica Abary Rice Development Scheme (MARDS’S) business,” SOCU stated.

On completion of the investigations a file was prepared and sent to the DPP’s Chambers for legal advice and based on that advice, Joseph was invited to SOCU on Friday where the 14 allegations of “Fraudulent Appropriation of Property of Body Corporate” were put to her.

Joseph has not yet been charged and has been asked to return to SOCU on December 16, 2022.