Ophthalmologist visit under microscope as Ruel Reid and Co fraud trial continues

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The court is expected to hear details of an August 2018 eye doctor visit by former Education Minister Ruel Reid when his fraud trial resumes on Wednesday as prosecution witness Connie Williams Champagnie continues her testimony on the stand.

Williams Champagnie, during examination-in-chief at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, detailed the payment and record-keeping systems at her business, Optical Smart Limited, before telling the court that Reid had entered the establishment on August 15, 2018, for an eye exam with another customer known to her. She said he also bought two pairs of eyeglasses using two health cards and a debit card.

When asked how she knew Reid, Williams Champagnie said she had never met Reid prior to that day, but described him as a public figure, telling the court that she had recognised him from the news, as he was the education minister at the time of his visit in 2018.