A Campion College teacher who paid a $1.6-million deposit to have copies of two history books she wrote produced by a printing company has elevated the matter to the Fraud Squad after the company failed to deliver a single copy, months after being contracted to do so.
The Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) has now launched an investigation into the matter.
Educator Jheanell Johnson, who has been in the profession for seven years, said A. W. Marketing Solutions Limited was contracted to print 3,000 copies of her history textbook and 3,000 copies of her history workbook for $7.1 million.
A. W. Marketing Solutions is operated by Ashbourne Wynter, who is listed as the sole director, according to Companies Office of Jamaica (COJ) records. The company was incorporated on May 27, 2024, with its core activity listed as “other service”.
Johnson told The Gleaner that she negotiated with Wynter to have 2,500 books printed as part of a first batch – 1,500 workbooks and 1,000 textbooks.
A sum of $1,641,000 was sent to the company’s account via wire transfer on August 13, according to a document seen by The Gleaner, to cover the deposit.
Johnson said the books were to be ready and delivered a week after the deposit was paid but noted that Wynter failed to deliver and missed subsequent deadlines that were extended. The initial deadline was August 31.
COMMUNICATION GRADUALLY SLOWED
“The communication between myself and Mr Wynter gradually slowed after the money was paid. Many of my calls and text messages went unanswered. At some point, he informed me that his [printing] machine is not working but sourced the equipment to have the machined fixed,” Johnson said.
“These books should have been prepared to be in stores for the start of the school year in September. All Mr Wynter has done is provide stories as to why the books have not been prepared.”
She continued, “After becoming frustrated, I filed a police report to the Criminal Investigations Branch and at the Fraud Squad at CTOC.”
The nature of the report, which was initially filed on September 4, at Half-Way Tree Police Station was noted as “fraudulent conversion”.
CTOC confirmed to The Gleaner on Thursday that it is investigating the matter.
Johnson said the police are seeking a court order to have the banking information released, but lamented at the same time the “slow” pace at which the investigation is taking place.
Further, she said efforts to retrieve her deposit from Wynter have been futile and that he has failed to respond to letters from her attorney Matthew Hyatt, of Knight, Junor & Samuels.
EFFORTS UNSUCCESSFUL
Efforts by The Gleaner to reach Wynter for a response to the claims were unsuccessful. The Gleaner was not able to reach the A. W. Marketing Solutions Limited director by telephone, as several calls to his cellphone went unanswered. There were also no responses to an email, WhatsApp and SMS sent on Wednesday.
Telephone calls also went unanswered.
The Gleaner visited the Mountain View Avenue address on the invoice provided to Johnson, but could not locate the business.
According to COJ records, the business is registered to a Spanish Town address.
Johnson’s attorney wrote to Wynter on September 11, noting the breach of contract.
“Your company’s failure to meet its contractual obligations has caused our client substantial harm. Ms Johnson has suffered reputational damage, loss of customers, and financial losses, all of which stem from your company’s delay and failure to perform as agreed. As the second week of the school year has now passed, our client is unable to fulfil her commitments to her customers, entirely due to your company’s inaction,” the first letter read.
It acknowledged that Wynter had indicated, in a September 7 telephone conversation, that his company would only be able to produce 500 copies of each book and that this would be done on September 12.
Johnson said the deadline was not met and the matter was reported to the Fraud Squad on September 20.
In a second letter from the attorney dated October 3, Wynter was given until October 11 to refund the sum.
“It is noteworthy that to date, you have not delivered one book to our client. It is in these circumstances that we are hereby requesting that arrangements be made for a full refund to be issued to our client on or before Monday, October 11, 2024,” the letter said.
“Our client has lost confidence in your ability to fulfil the agreement and is no longer interested in continuing to do business with you.”
Additionally, Johnson, in a final letter to Wynter on October 20, demanded that the sum be refunded, noting that she has suffered because of the ordeal.
“Several messages and letters to you by myself and my attorneys have gone unanswered. Your lack of action has caused much hardships and suffering. Additionally, I have lost all confidence in your ability to deliver these books. At this point, I want to make it abundantly clear that I am no longer interested in these books and I am therefore asking once again for you to have my money refunded,” she said.
In an undated letter, Wynter responded, noting that “it might take a while”, if he is to refund the money.
“We have used the money in purchasing raw materials to do the job and it would have been better if we continue by producing the job,” he said, requesting more time.
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