Catron denies NBF fraud

Sandra Catron (Photo by Dennie Warren Jr)

(CNS): Local outspoken activist Sandra Catron denied nine counts of fraud on government on Friday when she appeared in Grand Court in connection with allegations relating to the controversial Nation Building Fund scholarships. Catron pleaded not guilty to the charges of uttering false documents between 1 June and 31 August 2012 in relation to courses she managed for recipients of the fund. Catron, who was represented by Nick Hoffman of Priestley’s, will now face trial in November.

The case relates to certificates that Catron produced for all of the students on her course, which she gave to government for each of the students that had taken paralegal courses with her company Micro Matrix.

The crown claims that from the group of students who enrolled for the classes using cash from the Nation Building Fund, which was established by former premier McKeeva Bush, nine of them did not complete the course offered, but Catron still issued certificates for them and charged the students’ fees.

Following the arraignment Catron was bailed by the court to return for trial in November.

Speaking to CNS after the court appearance Catron said:

“As with all other cases the DPP has brought against me and gone to trial I will yet again demonstrate that this is nothing more than a civil dispute and should be dealt with in that court only. I am confident that I have the necessary evidence to prove my innocence but am rather disappointed that I have to wait eight months to do so.”