CJIA deputy CEO sent on leave, released on station bail

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) has been sent on one week leave following the allegation of sexual assault by a concessionaire staff of a duty free shop at the airport.
It was alleged that this sexual assault incident occurred in the office of the DCEO on July 30, 2018, while the duty free staff was in a meeting with him.
The victim claimed that she was inappropriately hugged and kissed on her lips by the accused. In her complaint letter the day after the incident, which was seen by this newspaper, the woman explained that she went to the DCEO to have an issue with her boss’ vehicle resolved.
After a commitment was given to have security remove the clamp on the vehicle, the woman said she got up to leave and the senior official did the same, but walked around his desk to hug her. She recounted that the act was “inappropriate”. She pulled away but the man allegedly kissed her on the lips.
The victim said she immediately turned and headed for the door, but was intercepted by the by the senior official, who placed his hand on the door to keep it shut and then allegedly kissed her again, for a longer time.
According to the woman, she left afterward in shock and was so upset about the incident that she vomited all day.
The woman had reported the matter to the airport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Human Resources Manager and she was assured that the matter would be investigated.
However, months have passed and she had not heard anything; after enquiring recently, she received a WhatsApp message stating that the issue was “addressed” but with no details about any actions being taken.
When further questions posed to the airport heads went unanswered, the woman reported the matter at the Timehri Police Station. The incident was subsequently reported in the media
As a result, the airport pass of the concessionaire staff was revoked last week.
In a subsequent statement earlier this week, the CJIAC confirmed that a senior official was being investigated for sexual misconduct and was sent on administrative leave on Tuesday pending the outcome of a new investigation into the complaint.
A police source confirmed that the official has been placed on $20,000 station bail as they continue to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, efforts to contact the Chief Executive Officer and the Human Resources Manager for a comment on the matter proved futile.