Embattled PS freed from corruption charge after victim refuses to give evidence

The embattled Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Sharon Hicks, was on Friday freed from a corruption charge after the victim opted not to offer evidence against him.

Back in December 2021, Hicks was released on $100,000 bail for allegedly obtaining money from a businessman.

Hicks had pleaded not guilty to the charge which 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 on trial before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court.

On Friday afternoon, when the case was called, Chintamani chose not to offer any evidence against Hicks. Subsequently, the charge against Hicks was dismissed.

On October 8, 2021, Hicks was arrested after police received reports that she was demanding payments from a contractor.

This, reportedly, was ongoing for a number of months and the businessman 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.

She was later sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.