Amerindian Affairs Ministry PS granted bail on corrupt transaction charge

Sharon Hicks, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs,  who is accused of accepting a bribe from a businessman, was on Friday charged.

She appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. After pleading not guilty to the charge, she was released on $100,000 bail.

It is alleged that on October 7, 2021, at 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, being an agent employed by the Government, she obtained from Heramainie Chintamanie for herself, the sum of $200,000 as an inducement or reward for processing the payment request of the said Chintamanie for security services provided, an act in relation to her principal affairs.

Hicks was represented by Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj. She is expected to make her next court appearance on December 20, 2021, to collect statements.

In October,  Hicks was arrested after a businessman made a report that she was demanding money from him to ensure that his security service continues getting contracts from the Ministry.

As such, the Police set up a sting operation during which Hicks was allegedly caught collecting marked money from the businessman.

After conducting investigations, the Police sent a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which recommended that Hicks be charged.