Trending/crime· Updated Oct 16, 2026

Witnesses Detail Retail Purchases in Ruel Reid Fraud Trial

The Kingston trial over allegations that more than $25 million was siphoned from the Education Ministry and CMU heard evidence of six 2018 retail purchases recorded under Ruel Reid’s name.

Photo via Jamaica Observer · from Ophthalmologist visit under microscope as Ruel Reid and Co fraud trial continues

5 reports from 2 outlets · First reported Mon, Oct 12

Summary

Updated Oct 16, 2026

Ruel Reid and four co-accused are on trial over allegations that more than $25 million was siphoned from the Education Ministry and CMU.
Jamaica Observer +3
A retail-chain executive testified that six 2018 purchases were recorded under Reid’s name and pick-up notes identified him as collector.
Jamaica Gleaner +1
The certified pick-up records had no authorisation notes indicating that another person collected the items.
Jamaica Observer
The court previously admitted an eyeglass invoice said to record Reid’s August 15, 2018 purchase.
Jamaica Observer

Automatically summarised from the coverage below.

Coverage

Oct 16, 2026

Purchase receipts take spotlight in Ruel Reid trial

A court witness testified that six customer pick-up notes linked to purchases from a local merchant were printed from records under Ruel Reid’s name and certified as true copies, with no authorisation notes showing anyone else collected the items. The evidence is part of the fraud trial accusing Reid, his family and others of helping siphon more than $25 million from the Education Ministry and CMU.

Oct 16, 2026

Ruel Reid named in evidence on six retail purchases in fraud trial

A retail chain executive testified in Ruel Reid’s fraud trial that six items, including a Samsung smart TV and a foot spa, were purchased in his name in 2018 and that customer pick-up notes identified Reid as the collector. Reid, his wife, daughter, former Caribbean Maritime University president Fritz Pinnock and councillor Kim Brown Lawrence are accused of part of a scheme that siphoned over $25 million in public funds.

Oct 15, 2026

Invoice spotlighted in Ruel Reid and co trial

A judge admitted into evidence an eyeglass invoice linked to former Education Minister Ruel Reid after prosecutors and defence lawyers clashed over different versions of the document in the fraud trial. The witness from the eye clinic identified the invoice and said it recorded Reid’s August 15, 2018 purchase, a detail tied to allegations that $25 million was siphoned from the Ministry of Education and CMU.

Oct 14, 2026

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

Former Education Minister Ruel Reid’s fraud trial is expected to hear more about an August 2018 visit he made to Optical Smart Limited, where witness Connie Williams Champagnie says he had an eye exam and bought two pairs of glasses. Reid, his wife, daughter, former CMU boss Fritz Pinnock and councillor Kim Brown Lawrence are accused of siphoning about $25 million from the Education Ministry and CMU.

Oct 12, 2026

Absent witness, IT issues delay Ruel Reid and Co trial

A key witness was absent on Monday, so no evidence was heard in the fraud trial of former Education Minister Ruel Reid, ex-CMU boss Fritz Pinnock and three co-accused in Kingston. The hearing also started late because court technology was not ready, and Judge Sanchia Burrell pressed prosecutors to better organise witnesses as the case, involving more than 90 witnesses and over $25 million allegedly siphoned, continues.

Witnesses Detail Retail Purchases in Ruel Reid Fraud Trial

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