SOCU recommends dozens of charges for Brutus

After months of investigation, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) on Wednesday said it has wrapped up its probe and has recommended dozens of charges against Deputy Police Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus for alleged financial impropriety.

It is now up to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to provide legal advice on the way forward in the matter.

In a press statement issued by the Guyana Police Force on Wednesday, SOCU said that an initial investigation was previously launched against Brutus but no criminal charges were recommended.

However, the unit said it subsequently received “critical” information from the Financial Intelligence Unit and a “new and more expansive” investigation was conducted.

That investigation wrapped up on October 01, 2024 and SOCU recommended dozens of charges against Brutus.

Afterwards, SOCU said the relevant files were forwarded to the DPP, for review, advice and further action; a process which is customary in any such investigation.

Legal advice obtained from the DPP will determine the way forward. Specifically, whether Brutus should be placed before the courts for the charges recommended or not.

Brutus has been at the center of an investigation conducted by SOCU since July, 2024.

To facilitate this, Brutus had proceeded on annual vacation leave. To date, he has not returned to office.

That move comes days after the Guyana Police Force announced that there has been a rotation in its top brass.

Brutus, who was previously in charge of ‘Administration’ was among the three ranks who were reassigned.

The rotation, the Force has said, was part of the modernisation plan.

What is Brutus being investigated for?

Initially, the focus of the investigation stemmed around financial improprieties linked to the Guyana Police Force Credit Union.

But that probe did not find any wrongdoing to haul Brutus before the court.

Thereafter, the focus was shifted and a wider investigation sparked after millions of dollars were noticed in the bank accounts of Brutus and at least two of his other relatives.

Reports had revealed that the money, which exceed $40 million appeared in the accounts, after Brutus got married last year. The money were reportedly claimed to be monetary gift given to him at the wedding.