On Monday, February 1, 40-year-old PUP Village Chairman, Walter Gillett, was charged in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court with four counts of obtaining property by deception. Gillett has been the Chairman of Gracie Rock Village since 2007.

Reports are that between April 14, 2009 and May 29, 2009, a total of $9,800 went missing from the Gracie Rock Village Community Council bank account. The man being accused of theft is the village chairman, and on Monday, Gillett stood

Police say that on April 14, Gillett withdrew $4,300 from the Councils bank account and he made a second withdrawal of $2,500 later that day. On May 26, 2009 he withdrew $2,000 and he made a fourth withdrawal on May 29 of $1,000.

Jacklyn Franklyn of the Community Development Office made a report to the Police Department.  The Community Development Office falls under the Ministry of Human Development and holds a portfolio for community affairs. The Gracie Rock Village Community Council has an account at Alliance Bank.

In court, there was no objection to bail and Magistrate Frazer offered bail to Gillett in the sum of $8,000 plus one surety. He was unable to meet bail and remanded to jail until he can do so. Walter Gillett is due back before the court on March 29.

He was defended by Dickie Bradley and PUP hopeful, Arthur Saldivar. Their positions in power are limited, but wherever and whenever they can, the PUP representatives rush to the aid of those accused of wrongdoing.