Trevor Benn granted bail on another charge of ‘misconduct in public office’

Former Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn, was on Wednesday released on $100,000 bail after he was charged with the offence of misconduct in public office in relation to the illegal leasing of State lands to well-known businessman, Wilfred Bransford, for $13.5 million when it is valued at $60.8M.

Benn, 53, of Century Palms Gardens, Durban Backlands, appeared before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plea to the charge.

It is alleged that between December 1, 2018, and August 31, 2020, at GL&SC, Georgetown, Benn willfully misconducted himself by executing a sale of two parcels of lands, all being a portion of Middle Walk, Plantation Ruimveldt and causing Bransford to pay the sum of $13.5 million to the Commission for the said lands, knowing at the time he did not have the authority to sell the lands and knowing the plots had been earlier valued at the sum of $60.8 M.

It is alleged that this amounts to wilful misconduct, resulting in a breach of the public’s trust, without any excuse or reasonable justification.

Benn is being represented by attorney-at-law, Mark Waldron and the case is adjourned to May 28, 2021.

According to reports, Bransford is the owner of Car Care and a former director at GL&SC. While sitting as a Director, Bransford allegedly benefitted from the sale of severely undervalued lands.

This was pursuant to an Agreement of Sale and Purchase executed with the Government of Guyana, represented by the GL&SC through then Commissioner, Trevor Benn, dated March 23, 2020.

In March, Benn was arraigned in court for the offence of misconduct in public office in relation to the illegal leasing of State lands to an engineering company for $27 million. He was released on $200,000 bail for that offence and the matter is currently before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.