Accounts Clerk granted $1.2M bail on 12 forgery charges

A senior accounts clerk who was attached to BK International Inc. was granted bail totaling $1.2 million after facing 12 charges of forgery and fraud in the Georgetown Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Stephanie Persaud, 42, of Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabyo Azore, where she was accused of forging multiple Citizens Bank cheques and fraudulently obtaining money from her former employer.

The prosecution alleged that between January and February 2025, Persaud altered cheques amounts, inflating the figures before presenting them to a cashier at BK Group of Companies. The fraudulent transactions reportedly amounted to a total of $2.5 million.

During the proceedings, the prosecution stated that Persaud had admitted to the offenses under caution, reportedly saying, “Yes, sir, I did it.” It was further revealed that a cheque and a quantity of cash were found in her possession when she was arrested.

Her attorney, Nadia Samuels, argued that this was her first court appearance and that they were prepared to challenge any admissions or submissions by the prosecution. Samuels requested bail for her client, emphasising that Persaud was not a flight risk.

However, bail was opposed by the prosecution since Persaud was unmarried, had no children, and lived with a relative, she posed a risk of fleeing the jurisdiction. The prosecution also noted that the case file had been completed and sent for legal advice.

Despite the prosecution’s concerns, Magistrate Azore granted bail at $100,000 per charge, amounting to a total of $1.2 million. Persaud is scheduled to return to court on April 16 for further proceedings.