Chief valuation officer charged for assisting in false declaration

The Chief Valuation Officer at the Finance Ministry, was charged on Wednesday with aiding in the submission of a false declaration. The charge was brought against him by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Julian Barrington, 54, of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where the charge was formally read to him. He pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution alleged that on or around February 19, 2024, at Lot 237 Camp Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Barrington assisted in the preparation of a fraudulent Certificate of Value for a property located at Lot 129, Area “L,” Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The document falsely claimed that the property had been developed, topsoil excavated, sand-filled, and leveled, when in reality, no such work had been done.
The charge falls under Section 111(1)(b)(i) of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 81:01. Initially, Magistrate McGusty set bail at $40,000.
However, Barrington’s attorney argued that his client should be granted self-bail, emphasising his senior role within the Government and asserting that he was not a flight risk.
The attorney assured the court that Barrington had no intention of interfering with the ongoing case and would address the matter at the appropriate time.
With no objections from the prosecution, Magistrate McGusty granted the request for self-bail. Barrington is set to return to court on March 26.