Embattled Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo) Carl Parker has been suspended, not fired, pending the outcome of a court matter where he was charged with sexual assault.
Minister of State Joseph Harmon announced on Friday during a post Cabinet
Carl Parker
press briefing that the REO will not be dismissed as he is “innocent until proven guilty”.
But in light of the damning criminal charges, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan instructed that the REO be suspended until the court matter is resolved.
“Our law says that a person is innocent until proven guilty so an allegation had been made, a charge has been laid against the REO and as a preliminary step to allow for investigation of an offence to take place, the Minister of Communities indicated that the REO will not be performing his duties,” Harmon explained.
However, he assured that the assistant REOs and other senior officials will have to step up and perform the duties which were being executed by Parker until the court matter ends.
“We should await the outcome of the court matter,” Minister Harmon said.
It is alleged that Parker, 53, of Cenotaph Boulevard, Lethem, Region Nine, sexually assaulted a young lady on June 13, 2016, at Yupukari, Central Rupununi, during a village outreach he had hosted. The REO pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman who read the charge in-camera before granting him bail in the sum of $200,000. Following the arraignment hearing, Parker left the courtroom all smiles as media operatives flocked to get his picture.
