Embattled PS granted bail on corruption charge

The embattled Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Sharon Hicks was on Friday released on $100,000 bail for allegedly obtaining money from a businessman.

Hicks appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The charge alleged that on October 7, 2021, at 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while being an agent employed by the Government of Guyana, she obtained from Heramainie Chintamanie, for herself, $200,000 as an inducement or reward for processing the payment requests for security services provided.

She was represented by attorney-at-law Sase Gunraj, who made an application for bail.

The Chief Magistrate, with no objections raised by the prosecutor, released Hicks on $100,000 bail and adjourned the case to December 20, for statements.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, on Wednesday, advised the police to institute a charge against Hicks for corrupt transactions by agents of the State based on the investigation conducted.

Hicks was arrested on October 8 after police received reports that she was demanding payments from a contractor. This, reportedly, was ongoing for a number of months and the businessman was allegedly threatened that he would not receive contracts if those monies were not paid.

As such, a sting operation was conducted where marked bills were reportedly paid to Hicks by the businessman.

Subsequently, an officer informed the Permanent Secretary of the operation and found that the marked bills were in her possession.  Hicks was subsequently released on station bail and later sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.