Following a joint investigation between the Financial Investigations Division (FID) and the JCF’s Constabulary Financial Unit (CFU), two individuals have been charged in connection with a sophisticated pension fraud scheme that resulted in the misappropriation of more than J$1 million in government funds.
Ms. Dorett Mullings, an Administrative Assistant at the Institute of Jamaica, and Mr. Orion Satchell, a Life Certificate Officer employed at the Accountant General’s Department (AGD), have been charged with multiple offences arising from the unlawful diversion of pension payments.
Ms. Mullings has been charged with:
- Possession of Criminal Property (Proceeds of Crime Act)
- Receiving Stolen Property (Larceny Act)
- Conspiracy to Defraud (Common Law)
Mr. Satchell faces charges of:
- Conspiracy to Defraud
- Misconduct in a Public Office
Investigations revealed that between March 2017 and May 2018, Mr. Satchell requested and manipulated life certificates for various pensioners whose banking information was fraudulently changed to reflect an account held by Ms. Mullings at a local credit union. This allowed seventeen pension payments, totalling J$1,022,238.95, to be funnelled into her account. The funds were withdrawn shortly after each deposit.
The accused were arrested in April and May 2025 then formally charged following question-and-answer sessions with CFU investigators, conducted in the presence of their respective attorneys.
The Revenue Protection Department (RPD) in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service (MoFPS) identified abnormalities pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and shared the relevant findings with the FID. The RPD’s insights were instrumental in tracing the financial irregularities and identifying the perpetrators which enabled swift action by the CFU.
Commissioner of the RPD, Mr. Cranston Morgan, stated: “At the RPD, one of our primary roles is to investigate, detect, and deter fraud and corruption involving government revenue. We take a multifaceted approach to protecting revenue—through direct investigations, supporting other agencies, and strengthening systems to prevent abuse.”
He added, “This case is another demonstration of the critical importance of cross-agency collaboration in detecting and addressing fraud. It reinforces our commitment to protecting public funds and ensuring that individuals who attempt to defraud the state are held accountable. We were pleased to assist our law enforcement partners by providing timely intelligence that was key in uncovering the irregularities.”
Both individuals appeared before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on May 29, 2025. At the hearing, the court ordered that:
- Case disclosure must be completed by July 1, 2025.
- The matter is set for mention on October 6, 2025.
- Stop Orders have been issued for both accused.
- Both were ordered to surrender their travel documents.
- They are both required to comply with a Fingerprint Order issued by the court.
- Both are to report to the police twice weekly between 6:00am and 6:00pm
This case highlights an abuse of trust, where public officers are being accused of manipulating official records and exploiting pensioners to siphon funds for personal gain. Such actions represent a serious breach of ethical and legal standards.
The FID and CFU remain committed to detecting, investigating, and prosecuting financial crimes. The FID will continue to work with its strategic partners like the RPD to protect the country’s financial systems and uphold the rule of law.