Full disclosure required in Moulton-White Sagicor fraud case
Al Edwards / Our Today
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Former VP, Head of Group Marketing at Sagicor Group Alysia Moulton White, her sister former Sagicor Bank Liguanea branch, manager Tricia Moulton and personal banker Malika McLeod stood before Senior Parish Judge Lori-Ann Cole Montague in the HalfWay Tree Court today in the ongoing fraud case involving Sagicor Bank.
The Organised Crime Division alleges that over the period August to October 2022, the women conspired and defrauded the U.S. foreign currency accounts of six Sagicor clients.
Among the multiple charges levelled at Moulton White are conspiracy to defraud, unlawfully making available data or devise for the commission of an offence, engaging in a transaction that involves a criminal offence and receiving stolen property.
Judge Lori-Ann Cole Montague said that this was a complex case with a multiplicity of counts which will take some time to be resolved.
One of Jamaica’s leading criminal attorneys Peter Champagnie who represents Malika McLeod said in court that all documents must be disclosed and so a realistic date must be set for all the evidence to be evaluated.
Alysia did not do this. Her reputation is in tatters and she wants to clear her name. For months now her lawyers have been asking for all manner of documents and disclosures and all now Sagicor is unable to make them available. It’s one thing to accuse her, but you must show the world the evidence. In this technological age, it shouldn’t be a problem. You have people saying, she will be unable to land a commensurate job in Jamaica after this accusation and this is impacting her life. She is looking to clear her name.
Our Today source
The defence attorneys – Matthew Hyatt representing Alysia Moulton White, Peter Champagnie representing Malika McLeod and Orville Morgan who represents Tricia Moulton all made clear to the judge that despite their best efforts only partial disclosure of information, documents and video footage has been made by Sagicor.
A request for video footage, identifying the depositor for September 21 and September 30th , 2022 has been requested from Sagicor Bank.
Sagicor Bank says it can only retrieve footage for one of those dates.
They are also asking for VTR for September 11 in order to get a better handle on the transactions made.
Sagicor’s Group Security Supervisor Adrian Brown was in court today giving evidence for the prosecution.
The young aforementioned women are accused of defrauding Sagicor Bank of J$65 million with J$661,000 said to have found its way into Alysia Moulton White’s account.
She has repeatedly stressed her innocence and says she has no idea how hundreds of thousands of dollars ended up in her account.
Normally effervescent and brimming with vitality, Alysia Moulton White looked drawn and a shadow of herself, this ordeal no doubt taking its toll.
A party close to her told Our Today, “Alysia did not do this. Her reputation is in tatters and she wants to clear her name. For months now her lawyers have been asking for all manner of documents and disclosures and all now Sagicor is unable to make them available.
“It’s one thing to accuse her, but you must show the world the evidence. In this technological age, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“You have people saying, she will be unable to land a commensurate job in Jamaica after this accusation and this is impacting her life. She is looking to clear her name.”
Judge Lori-Ann Cole Montague extended bail until September 21, 2023 and is expecting all documents and video evidence to be available at that date.
Speaking to Our Today after this morning’s court appearance, Attorney Orville Morgan said: “This morning’s proceedings show that the Crown’s file is still incomplete hence a further date of the 21st of September was set in order to complete the file. That is where we are at.
“We await the completion so that full and frank disclosure can be made to the defence. Fraud cases are always voluminous and complex so it will take some time. If the Crown then assesses its case we will see if this will go on to a trial. It must determine whether its case file is in a state of readiness so that we can move on.”
So how is Tricia Moulton holding up?
“ My client is good. She is upbeat and has decided to go all the way with this matter to prove her innocence.”
Peter Champagnie added: “The fact of the matter is that the court made an order for disclosure to be made before the next court date. We hope to be able to challenge the case. My client remains resolute, and she looks forward to the matter being determined. The matter has been before the court for some time now and we have to be mindful of the court’s time and in terms of the general management of cases of this nature. The process has to move with some alacrity.
“Come September this matter will be before the court for nine months and we are anxious to have this resolved one way or another. My ultimate concern is that on the next occasion all the statements are on file and we are ready to move forward.”
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