I’ve been following this INSPORTS fraud case from the very beginning, and let me say this clearly: if punishments like this were handed down consistently—not selectively—Jamaica would be in a much better place. Accountability should never be optional. Today’s sentencing of former INSPORTS financial controller and well-known party promoter Andrew Wright is a reminder of just how deep corruption can run, and how desperately the country needs firm, fair justice.
Wright, famous for staging major events like Chug It and French Connection, was sentenced to 10 years and seven months at hard labour for his role in the massive multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that rocked the state-run agency. The charges included engaging in transactions involving criminal property and facilitating the retention of criminal property. Justice Ann Marie Lawrence Grainger handed down identical sentences on each of those counts, but they will run concurrently—meaning Wright will serve 10 years and seven months total.
He also received additional sentences for 10 counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of corruption, but again, the court ordered that those run concurrently.
Co-accused Rudolph Barnes was sentenced to three years for corruption and 12 months each on two conspiracy charges—also running concurrently. Meanwhile, Oneil Hope received 11 months on six conspiracy counts, plus five years and nine months for acquiring criminal property. All three were found guilty after a nearly year-long trial tied to the now infamous $226-million INSPORTS fraud scheme.
This massive scam involved the creation and encashment of fraudulent cheques issued to people with zero connection to the agency—no job, no contract, nothing. The entire operation came to light in 2017 after an internal audit triggered a referral to MOCA, leading to extensive investigations and the eventual arrests, including Wright’s in April 2023.
Notably, three female co-defendants—Andrea Picton, Sherene Farquharson, and Jonnique Mill—were acquitted of all conspiracy and corruption charges.
The prosecution team, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alexia McDonald and Crown Counsel Dwayne Houston, presented the case, but Wright’s attorney, Alessandra LaBeach, called the ruling “disappointing and shocking,” stating that Wright will appeal. Attorneys for Barnes and Hope expressed similar sentiments, signaling that the legal battle may not be over.
Still, for many Jamaicans—myself included—this sentencing is a step in the right direction. When justice is firm and consistent, the country wins. And Jamaica needs more wins like this.
