A 25-year-old New Providence woman was charged in a Magistrate’s court on Tuesday with stealing by reason of employment, adding to a growing list of individuals recently charged with stealing from their employers.
Kendra Bowe was charged with stealing $21,480 from Royal Bank of Canada in the Cable Beach Shopping Centre on May 6.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Marilyn Meeres.
The accused was employed at the bank as a central teller, a position that requires the handling of large volumes of money.
A central teller is also responsible for restocking the Automatic Banking Machine and handling business clients’ accounts, according to one bank official.
Bowe was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 with two sureties.
During the arraignment, Magistrate Meeres gave her the option of having her case heard in the Supreme Court or the Magistrate’s court.
Bowe, who was represented by attorney Wilbert Moss, indicated that she would prefer to have her case heard in the lower court.
Magistrate Meeres then scheduled a preliminary inquiry for August 3.
Bowe’s appearance in court came several weeks after a senior official of The Bank of The Bahamas made headlines when he was charged with stealing from that institution.
Back in April, Terry Gerard Murray, a former financial controller at the bank, was charged with stealing more than $139,000.
Murray maintained his innocence during the arraignment, pleading not guilty to the 14 counts of stealing.
He also appeared before Magistrate Meeres and was granted bail in the sum of $50,000.
His preliminary inquiry is schedule for next month.
Two other women also recently faced charges for allegedly stealing from their place of employment.
The women – one a former employee of Majestic Tours; the other a former employee of Renal House – were both remanded and are awaiting a bail hearing.
Authorities have indicated that stealing by reason of employment could carry a prison sentence of 10 years and the accused could also be ordered to repay the stolen funds. (Ed note: Unfortunately, in the Bahamas, it is highly unlikely that a Bahamian would ever be punished for their crimes. Which, of course is the reason the problem is so out-of-control in the first place.)
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
