Two former V.I. Justice Department employees charged last week in connection with the embezzlement of money from the Division of Paternity and Child Support and welfare fraud entered not guilty pleas in their initial appearances in Territorial Court Thursday.
The pleas were entered by attorney Benjamin Currence on behalf of Cheryl Serrant and by attorney Stephen Brusch representing Dina Hermon. Both lawyers requested jury trials.
The women were implicated jointly but charged separately last week. Hermon is accused of 27 counts of embezzlement, and Serrant faces charges of filing fraudulent claims against the government to secure food stamps and public housing, and perjury. Both worked in the St. Thomas offices of the division as collector/cashiers until they were dismissed last year.
Hermon is alleged to have defrauded the division of cash which she received but never deposited in the Banco Popular account which she was charged with maintaining. Serrant, in charges unrelated to her former employment at Justice, faces 12 counts of filing fraudulent government claims, obtaining money under false pretense and perjury.
Court documents show an almost year-long investigation of both women. The documents state that in each case where a deposit shortage was noted, one of the women had hand-written the receipt, entered the transaction into a computer or prepared the deposit slip.
It is alleged that Hermon embezzled funds in August, October and November of 1998 and in April, May, June and August of last year.
In the Serrant case, Justice alleges that in applications for re-certification for participation for in the territorial food stamp program, she stated that she does not receive child support for her five children. The children's father in a separate statement said he provides for them all.
Fraudulent statements were allegedly submitted over the years 1997-1999.
Judge Ive Arlington Swan scheduled final motions in the case for Aug. 4 and set Aug. 31 as the final date that either defendant may enter into a plea bargain agreement with the government. He indicated that the case will likely be tried by Judge Ishmael Meyers.
