CMU fraud accused Kim Brown Lawrence defends stewardship amid Brown's Town Division nomination

The Jamaica Labour Party's Kim Brown Lawrence, who remains embroiled in the fraud case at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), today defended her stewardship after being nominated for the Brown's Town Division.

Brown Lawrence dismissed her critics.

"Have I been charged?" she responded defiantly when questioned by reporters.

Brown Lawrence, who is the sitting councillor, was charged in the corruption scandal that rocked the CMU in 2019.

Former education minister Ruel Reid, his wife Sharen, their daughter Sharelle, as well as former CMU president, Professor Fritz Pinnock, were also implicated.

The five accused were arrested by law enforcement agencies in 2019, in connection with a major fraud and corruption probe by the Financial Investigations Division involving transactions at the CMU.

It is being alleged that nearly $50 million was diverted from the university.

The charges included breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act, conspiracy to defraud, misconduct in a public office at common law, and breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The longstanding case is currently stalled in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court.

- Carl Gilchrist 

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