ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Former health minister Hilroy Humphreys escaped a jail term today, but accountant Elmeade Jarvis was slapped with a two year sentence over fraud charges linked to the operations of the Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).
Another accused, Jennifer Joseph, who appeared in court for sentencing after the trio had been found guilty earlier this month, has been ordered to pay EC$24,500 (US$9,074) or serve six months in jail.
Humphreys was fined a total of EC$107 622 (US$39 860) in compensation and fines with the court indicating that he could serve up to two years in prison if he fails to pay.
Humphreys, Jarvis the former accountant at MBS, and Joseph, a former employee of Humphreys were found guilty on April 5 after a month-long trial.
Humphreys was convicted of causing EC$25 811 (US$9 559) to be dishonestly paid from the MBS account, while Jarvis was found guilty on each of the three counts of fraudulent conversion of MBS funds for purposes other than payments for overseas medical treatment.
Joseph was found guilty on the two counts of obtaining monies by false pretense. (CMC)
