Amerindian Affairs Ministry’s Permanent Secretary walks free on corrupt transaction charge

Sharon Hicks, the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, who was on trial for the offence of corrupt transaction over accepting a bribe from a businessman, saw the matter against her dismissed on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

This afternoon when the matter was called before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, the virtual complainant testified that he no longer wished to give evidence against Hicks, resulting in the charge against the senior government official being dismissed.

It was alleged that on October 7, 2021, at 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while 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.

Last 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. She was sent on administrative leave by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to facilitate the Police’s probe.