Nine-Year Nightmare Ends: Ex-TAJ Cashiers Exonerated in Landmark Fraud Case
By: Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
KINGSTON, JAMAICA — In a dramatic conclusion to one of Jamaica’s most protracted legal battles, five former cashiers of Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) were exonerated on Monday. The decision by a presiding judge to dismiss the multimillion-dollar fraud case—which had languished in the court system since January 2017—marks a significant defeat for the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).
The five women—Dermain Shakespeare, Kelly-Ann Wright, Sherine Leslie, Shanna-Kay Simmonds-Johnson, and Sherika Stewart—now walk free after a “nine-year nightmare” defined by 34 adjournments and an abandoned trial.
A Case Defeated by Delay
The exoneration came as a result of “want of prosecution.” When the case was called on Monday, the prosecuting attorneys from MOCA were notably absent.
- Unpreparedness: A court clerk’s request for yet another adjournment was denied by the judge, who cited the “unpreparedness” of the state and the undue burden placed on the accused over nearly a decade.
- Constitutional Rights: Attorneys for the women, including Althea Freeman, argued that the state had fundamentally breached their clients’ right to a fair and timely trial.
- Potential Lawsuit: The exonerated women are reportedly considering a massive civil suit against the State for constitutional breaches and the personal and professional damages suffered since their arrest during the 2017 Cross Roads raid.
The Bahamas: PM Davis Slams FNM as “Scrap Gang” Ahead of May 12 Polls
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — With just one week remaining until the May 12, 2026, General Election, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has ramped up his rhetoric against the opposition. Speaking at a massive rally at the Gladstone Road Farmers Market, Davis characterized the Free National Movement (FNM) as a “scrap gang” that lacks a coherent vision for the country.
- “Serious Times”: Davis argued that the FNM’s internal “brawls” and lack of detailed policy make them unfit to lead during a global economic crisis.
- The PLP Record: The Prime Minister urged voters to stand on the Progressive Liberal Party’s (PLP) record of delivery, contrasting it with what he called the FNM’s “anger management issues.”
- Economic Promises: Davis mocked the FNM’s proposal for a $200 monthly stipend for single mothers as a shallow attempt to appear busy without addressing systemic issues.
International: “Project Freedom” Paused as Trump Eyes Iran Peace Deal
WASHINGTON / DUBAI — The “shaky” ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is facing its most significant test yet. While the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reports being under fresh missile and drone attacks from Tehran, President Donald Trump announced late Tuesday that he is pausing “Project Freedom”—the U.S. Navy’s operation to escort stranded tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Pause: Trump indicated the pause is a gesture of “good faith” to finalize a comprehensive settlement with Iran, following a request from Pakistan and other mediating nations.
- Ongoing Conflict: Despite the pause, the U.S. military confirmed it destroyed six Iranian small boats and several drones on Monday after they allegedly targeted commercial shipping.
- UAE on High Alert: The UAE’s defense ministry has labeled the latest strikes a “serious escalation,” asserting their right to defend their territory despite Washington’s insistence that the 8 April truce remains intact.
