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UPDATE: Duo to face fraud charges in January 2014
![Brian Penn (above), a member of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force [RVIPF] and his wife Harinder Steven-Penn appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on September 27, 2013 on over 200 charges. Photo: Facebook](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_b_Brian_PennFacebook.jpg)
When the duo appeared in court on December 13, 2013 their attorney Patrick Thompson requested the earliest possible date for a hearing for his clients.
Magistrate Dr Velon John is expected to hear arguments when the case resumes.
See previous story posted on November 11, 2013:
UPDATE: Security firm directors change attorney in fraud allegations
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The two Vanguard Security Services Directors facing the Magistrate’s Court for alleged acts of Social Security fraud have opted to change their attorney after it was revealed that there was a conflict with their previous one.
Police Officer and Director of Vanguard Security Services, Mr Brian Penn and his wife Harinder Stevens-Penn are yet to enter a plea to the over 200 charges brought against them at the Magistrate’s Court on September 27, 2013.
The duo told the court on November 7, 2013 that they would need two weeks to seek a new lawyer after previously being represented by attorney Stephen Daniels. Daniels stated that he withdrew from the case due to a conflict within his chambers. The prosecution offered no objection to the request of a change in attorneys.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards previously explained that most of the offences were related to the Social Security legislation and included allegations of obtaining property by deception, failure to keep proper records, evasion of liability by deception, destroying or concealing documents, failing to issue certificates to employees on termination, failing to record contributions; and failure to make payments to the Social Security Board [SSB] among others.
The full charges surrounding the allegations are yet to be read to the two defendants before the court and the prosecution promised to address these concerns at the next hearing by summarising the charges.
It was also announced that disclosure of the relevant documents had been made on both defendants.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for December 13, 2013.
See previous story posted on September 30, 2013:
Security firm Directors facing more than 200 fraud charges
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Brian Penn, a member of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force [RVIPF],and his wife Harinder Steven-Penn appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on September 27, 2013 on over 200 charges.
Listed as Directors of Vanguard Security Services & Supplies Ltd, the Penns were accused of allegedly committing the acts between 2008 and 2013. Most of the alleged 237 charges were fraud related and dealt with the duo's alleged failure to make Social Security payments on behalf of staff members.
The couple was not required to plead to the charges as they were reportedly not in receipt of any charge sheets, according to their attorney Steven Daniels.
Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards explained that most of the offences were related to the Social Security legislation and included allegations of obtaining property by deception, failure to keep proper records, evasion of liability by deception, destroying or concealing documents, failing to issue certificates to employees on termination, failing to record contributions; and failure to make payments to the Social Security Board [SSB] among others.
The duo will return to court on November 7, 2013 when it is expected that the full charges will be read to them.
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64 Responses to “UPDATE: Duo to face fraud charges in January 2014”
oh really guess u don't own a small biz up in here. "£$% up the small man so you and your up per class friend look good. Stop pressing the small biz them.
Nobody will be taking any money from my salary for Social Security and Tax and keeping that $h1t for themselves. You and your small business crap. Up to you if you don't want to pay your portion fine with me, but you taking MY money and you REFUSE to pay it. If you don't want to pay Social Security nothing then give me all of my money when you pay me, don't pretend you paying it and then pocketing it. THIEF!!! If anything let me be responsible for my own demise, with your crap!!
WOW! You never know. Got to see the outcome of this.
No one set them up. Too many island people suffering under the hands of BVI employers.
Dynamic Duo of FR**D!
boy I feel your pain as so many have done this but they werent caught
But my main concern with this situation is that this company has allegedly been deducting employees social security and not paying it in, God forbid, these persons become sick and need to make a claim against their contributions, they cannot, because they are not up to date. Have you all seen the advertisement being run by the Social Security Board, this is a serious matter, if true. NOT FAIR, NOT FAIR AT ALL!
He owes me, i made a report to Labour and Mr. Mactavious had promised to make him pay but he never did and the Labour department never enforced the issue of non payment. They also need to do an inspection of his security office environment its not up to OSHA requirements
But god does not sleep, karma baby
god do not sleep
officers. I pray and wish you Godspeed.
LOL SHUT U ALL MOUTH. THERE WAS A MAN AND HIS WIFE WHO WORK ME AND DID NOT PAY ME MY SALARY. THIS MATTER WAS TAKEN TO LABOUR AND THE POLICE CHIEF BUT EVERYONE IGNORE ME BUT THE HAND OF GOD IS GREAT.