by Donella Hosten
Almost 6 years after being investigated by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) and charged with fraud, 32-year-old Raymond Beggs, a former data clerk at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), faced Justice Paula Gilford on Monday, 24 July 2017 at the Number 1 High Court.
Beggs was sentenced to 2 years behind bars.
Beggs, a resident of Bylands St Andrew, and a father of 2, illegally obtained more than $163,000 from the NIS over a 4-year period (2008 to 2012). He had worked at the NIS for approximately 10 years before being dismissed as a result of his illegal actions. Beggs was represented by Attorney-at-Law George Prime, who indicated that due to his client’s willingness to cooperate with authorities despite the nature of the crime, he was able to receive a lesser sentence.
Justice Gilford also ordered that Beggs repay his former place of employment in monthly payments of $3,300 for 5 years, after his 2-year sentence is served. Failure to adhere to the judge’s request will result in Beggs facing an additional 3 years at Her Majesty’s Prisons.
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Hmmm. After 25+ years of working and contributing to the NIS and being promised that I can look forward to a pension at age 60. And having received nothing from the SCHEME during all my working years ( and I a still currently employed at age 46), I a being told that it is absolutely necessary to increase my contribution and that I must prepare to receive a pension beyond age 60, possibly age 65? I would like to know who is being held accountable for the mismanagement of my resources that the SCHEME has to go back on its promise? Where did all of my contributions go and I have not receive a cent yet? How could the SCHEME payout more than it is collecting? Is it not those who have contributed and their relevant family members who are to receive benefits (so to speak) in proportion to contributions made made to the SCHEME? Did the SCHEME make investments with my money and lost it? My permission was not requested for any investments. I worked VERY HARD for my money!!! Why am I being mandated to pay more for mismanagement? Who is going to be held accountable and or who is going to Jail? And who should be really paying back for my money that was lost? CERTAINLY NOT ME?!!! I am very pleased that the young man is being held accountable for his actions, however, What Good For The Goose Good For Gander!!!
Really only two years for stealing all that money.what is really wrong with our judicial system? Always failing us