Manager accused of embezzlement

Police investigators are expected to lay additional charges against a Corporate Area woman, who reportedly embezzled millions from the wholesale at which she was employed as a manager.

Semoi Reid, who spent the festive season behind bars, will remain in jail until January 17, when a bail application is expected to be heard.

She is before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, charged on an indictment for four counts of embezzlement, four counts of forgery and obtaining credit by fraud. She has not yet entered a plea. Prosecutors contend that the complainant, a Chinese couple, operate several wholesales in downtown Kingston and left Reid in charge of the business when they had to leave the island to travel overseas.

It is alleged that during the time the complainants were absent, Reid ordered products from manufacturers for one of the wholesales, and when the products were received, she had them taken to other wholesales in the Corporate Area. The items are yet to be paid for and the cost incurred is said to have exceeded $2 million.

Reid, who appeared before presiding Judge Caro Mason on Tuesday, is represented by attorney-at-law Michelle Thomas.

- T.T.