We wouldn't quite call it the "fireworks" that lead investigator
Sinquest Martinez told us to expect – but at least and at long last there
was a substantial development in the investigation into missing money at the
Government Treasury. And while many were expecting "the bang" to
be the arrest of supposed mastermind, second class clerk Monica Escarpeta, she
is not the one who police escorted over to the Magistrate's Court. Instead
it was this woman, twenty eight year old domestic Rhea Pennil who we understand
was in police custody for the past forty eight hours and today was finally charged
with handling stolen goods
The allegation presented in the court is that between April 24th, 2008 and
May 24th, 2009, Rhea Pennil dishonestly assisted in the retention of $151,967.33
knowing that it was illegally obtained and stolen. The police prosecutor objected
to bail on the grounds that Rhea Pennil may be a flight risk and the investigation
is ongoing and that she may interfere with the investigation and other witnesses.
But Chief Magistrate Margaret McKenzie did not uphold the objection to bail
stating that there is nothing in the prosecution's presentation to substantiate
the objections.
So, Rhea Pennil was offered bail of forty thousand dollars or two sureties
of twenty thousand dollars each on two conditions, one that she is to report
every Monday to the clerk of court and the second, that she must surrender all
of her travel documents.
Twenty eight year old Rhea Pennil is scheduled to reappear in Magistrate's
Court on September twenty third. 7News understands that up to news time Rhea
Pennil was unable to meet bail. Rhea Pennil is being represented by attorney
Lionel Welch.
As for Karen Young, the other woman alleged to have colluded in the pension
fraud? We understand that she was detained by police but has since been released.
7News did try to interview the case lead investigator Sinquest Martinez on the
arrest and charge of Rhea Pennil and the status on Monica Escarpeta but as Martinez
left the court building he told the press and we quote, "I am not
doing interviews until when I am through with this."
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