The State has insisted it is not responsible for the lengthy delay in bringing to trial two Inland Revenue Department employees accused of criminal deception.

Joseph Nathaniel Sobers, a clerical officer, of Pie Corner, St Lucy, and Cheryl Leverne Thomas, an assistant accountant, of Kingsland, Christ Church, are jointly charged with attempting to dishonestly obtain $45 000 from Shane Hurley sometime between August 12, 2008 and June 22, 2009, by falsely representing that he was indebted to the Inland Revenue Department in the amount of $375 000 and that the payment of the said requested $45 000 would satisfy the outstanding debt.

The two are also charged that, being public officers of the Inland Revenue Department, they engaged in wilful misconduct which amounted to an abuse of public trust in requesting payment from Shane Hurley in the amount of $45 000 for the full settlement of an alleged outstanding debt to the Inland Revenue Department of $375 000.