Chug It promoter found guilty of fraud

Andrew Wright, promoter of popular entertainment events French Connection and beach fiesta Chug It, was found guilty of multiple fraud-related charges yesterday in the Home Circuit Court, stemming from a $222-million scheme uncovered at INSPORTS.

Wright, who was the entity's financial controller, was convicted along with former colleagues Rudolph Barnes and Oneil Hope. Wright was convicted on 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud along with one count each of engaging in a criminal transaction, corruption, and facilitating the retention of criminal property. Barnes and Oneil Hope, were also convicted. Barnes was found guilty of 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of corruption, while Hope was convicted on six conspiracy charges and one count of acquiring criminal property. All three men have been remanded and are scheduled for sentencing on November 21.

The case centred on allegations that the trio, as part of a wider network of current and former INSPORTS employees, orchestrated the creation and encashment of fraudulent cheques made out to individuals who were neither employed by nor contracted to the agency.

The scheme came to light following a 2017 internal audit, which led to a referral to the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency. The agency launched a lengthy investigation, ultimately resulting in the arrests and charges. Wright was taken into custody in April 2023 while appearing before the Industrial Disputes Tribunal in an unrelated wrongful dismissal case.

Three female co-defendants - Andrea Picton, Sherene Farquharson, and Jonnique Mills - were acquitted in recent days. Picton and Farquharson were both former accounting clerks at INSPORTS, while Mills had also faced multiple charges. All were cleared of conspiracy and corruption charges.

Attorneys for Wright and Hope have indicated plans to appeal.