Ruel Reid Corruption Trial Set for October, Judge Warns Parties

Ruel Reid Corruption Trial Set for October, Judge

Warns Parties

The trial of former Education Minister Ruel Reid and his co-accused will resume in October, after being plagued by scheduling issues for nine months. Senior Parish Court Judge Sanchia Burrell has ordered the parties to be ready for trial on October 5. The date is a day shy of one year since the proceedings began last year.

Ruel Reid, a former Education Minister, is accused of participating in a scheme with others unknown, between March 2016 and October 2019, which defrauded the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) of over $25 million. Reid's wife and daughter, Sharen and Sharelle Reid, as well as Councillor Kim Brown Lawrence, and former head of the CMU, Fritz Pinnock, are also accused in the scheme.

Prosecutors allege that fraudulent payments were made for work that was never done or services that were never provided to either the ministry or university. The money from these payments was transferred from CMU and the education ministry to the accused through either third parties or to bank accounts held or controlled by the accused.

Pinnock and Reid are accused of using their roles as public servants to mastermind and effect a scheme in which individuals were being paid on a regular basis by CMU, without knowledge that they were being paid. Invoices for goods and services were generated, but not by the individuals being paid, who did not, at any time, provide the stated services or goods to CMU.

Ruel Reid has a long history in Jamaican politics, serving as the Minister of Education from 2016 to 2018. He was previously a Member of Parliament and has been involved in various other government roles.

The trial of Ruel Reid and his co-accused will be a significant test of Jamaica's anti-corruption efforts. With 90 witnesses expected to testify, the trial is expected to reveal more about the extent of corruption within the Ministry of Education and the CMU.

The judge, Sanchia Burrell, has made it clear that she expects all parties to be ready for trial on October 5. With the case having been plagued by scheduling issues for nine months, the judge's warning is a clear indication that she is determined to see the trial through to its conclusion.

“The parties are placed on clear notice that the matter will proceed on that date,” Judge Burrell said.

The trial of Ruel Reid and his co-accused is a significant development in Jamaica's fight against corruption. The case is expected to reveal more about the extent of corruption within the Ministry of Education and the CMU.

The trial of Ruel Reid and his co-accused is a significant development in Jamaica's fight against corruption. We will continue to follow the case and provide updates as more information becomes available.