Prime Minister, Opposition leader, PJ Patterson, Audley Shaw all victims of NHT fraud

Opposition leader Andrew Holness is the latest victim of a fraud racket uncovered at the National Housing Trust, NHT.

Fraud Squad detectives are now probing the theft of more than 60-thousand dollars from Mr Holness’ account at the NHT.

Three of the country’s other top leaders, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller; former Prime Minister PJ Patterson and former Finance Minister Audley Shaw, were also defrauded in the scam uncovered earlier this year.

NHT sources told RJR News that following the arrests of several persons in the scam, a follow-up audit conducted by the housing agency revealed that Mr Holness was also defrauded.

Fraud Squad detectives are tightlipped about the investigation, however, its understood that the cops will be seeking to collect a statement from Mr Holness.

Seven persons, including an NHT employee, have been charged in the racket.

The seven accused were charged, following an investigation into the disappearance of hundreds of thousands of dollars from the NHT accounts of some of the country’s leaders.

The cops say the alleged mastermind is Ann Marie Connellie, who was employed as a Financial Transaction Processor at the NHT.

Ms. Connellie has been charged with conspiracy, causing money to be paid out by fraud, unauthorized modification of computer data, and unauthorized access to computer with intent to commit an offence.

It’s alleged that between 2010 and June this year, Ms. Connellie used her insider knowledge of the computer system at the NHT and removed money from the accounts of NHT contributors who had not applied for refunds.

More than 20 accounts were affected by the fraud, including the account of former JLP Member of Parliament, Michael Stern.

The accused who are all out on bail are scheduled to return to court on August 9.