Court Frees Former Petrojam GM and Board Chairman Accused of Fraud

Kingston, Jamaica – The Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court has cleared former General Manager of Petrojam, Floyd Grindley, and the company’s former Board Chairman, Dr. Percival Singh, of all fraud-related charges. The court’s decision came a short while ago, following a verdict delivered by Senior Parish Judge Maxine Ellis.

Dr. Singh had been accused of fraudulently submitting claims totaling US$73,000 for overseas trips that he allegedly never made. The claims, which were processed by Petrojam, drew the attention of authorities who launched an investigation into the matter.

Grindley, the former general manager of the state-owned oil refinery, faced accusations of aiding and abetting Singh in processing the false claims. The prosecution had argued that Grindley played an integral role in facilitating the fraudulent activity, but the court ultimately found no grounds for the charges against him.

Both men were involved in the controversial case that had sparked public debate and raised concerns about transparency and accountability within Petrojam, especially given the company’s historical issues surrounding governance.

Following today’s ruling, both Grindley and Singh left the courthouse without making any public statements. The case had attracted widespread attention, given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the significant amount of money at stake.

Judge Ellis, after careful consideration of the evidence, found that the prosecution had not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. As a result, both defendants were acquitted of all charges.

This verdict brings an end to a lengthy legal battle for both men, and it remains to be seen whether the case will prompt further scrutiny into the practices at Petrojam or any potential policy changes within the organization.