Dental assistant on fraud charges

An orthodontist’s assistant, who sought to take out loans totalling more than $500,000 allegedly to cover funeral expenses, was offered bail in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Monday.

Chawayne Chambers is charged on an indictment for two counts of forgery. He has not yet entered a plea. It is alleged that sometime earlier this year, Chambers forged the signature of the financial coordinator at the dental office where he was employed on two loan applications. One of the loans amounted to $489,000 while the other is for $134,000.

Investigators contend that Chambers received the loan of the smaller sum. When he was arrested and cautioned, the 29-year-old allegedly said, “I did it because I was under pressure with funeral arrangements for my grandmother.”

“So you did it for grandma, allegedly?” Senior Parish Judge Lori-Anne Cole-Montaque quizzed the accused.

But Chambers, who has been in custody since August 3, remained mum while standing in the prisoner’s dock.

The prosecution indicated that they were not opposed to Chambers receiving bail, however, Judge Cole-Montaque saw it necessary to impose conditions.

The Waterhouse resident was ordered to surrender his travel documents and to report to the police once weekly.

He was made the subject of a fingerprint order and a stop order was imposed at the nation’s ports.

“He could benefit from a non-custodial sentence. It would be a nice mix with a fine and a suspended sentence,” the senior jurist said, after it was shared with the court that Chambers has no previous convictions.

The matter is set for mention on September 19.