- Norman Grindley Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke, warmly greets Lady Bustamante after a floral tribute yesterday at the National Heroes Park in honour of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante. The ceremony commemorated the 117th anniversary of the hero's birth.
Omar Anderson, Staff Reporter
THIEVES two weeks ago forged the signature of Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke and withdrew more than $700,000 from a joint account he and his wife operate at the Sam Sharpe Square branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) in Montego Bay.
Deputy Police Superintendent James Forbes, head of the Constabulary Communication Network, yesterday confirmed that the money was stolen from Sir Howard's account, but said he had no further details on the matter.
"I know the account was entered, but I can't say how much money was taken," Mr. Forbes said.
However, The Sunday Gleaner understands that the theft was reported to the Fraud Squad in Kingston.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Errol Samuels, who is in charge of the Fraud Squad, and Inspector Fitz Bailey, who The Sunday Gleaner understands is also investigating, refused to comment on the case when contacted on Friday and again yesterday.
When contacted yesterday at Kings House, Sir Howard also refused to give any details about the forgery, but referred The Sunday Gleaner to BNS.
"I don't want my private business to be noised abroad," he said. "I depend on my bank to do business and whatever happens, the bank must take care of me."
A telephone call was made to the BNS at Sam Sharpe Square on Friday, but The Sunday Gleaner was referred to Scotia Centre in Kingston. That same day The Sunday Gleaner tried to contact BNS Managing Director William "Bill" Clarke by telephone at Scotia Centre, but was told he was out of office.
Sunday Gleaner sources said the thieves got hold of cheques, forged Sir Howard's signature six times and lodged the cheques through an automated teller machine in Kingston. The cheques were to be credited to an account at the Ocho Rios branch of BNS. The money was subsequently withdrawn from the account he operates with his wife Lady Cooke.
The Sunday Gleaner understands that the bank has since closed the joint account and has opened another one for the Governor-General and his wife.
Meanwhile, the forgery has caused consternation among members of the Police Force, who are still unsure as to how the thieves could have obtained Sir Howard's bank account number, plus other confidential details about his account.
