One week after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to institute charges against the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) for sexual assault based on evidence obtained, the accused made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.
Charged: Deputy Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Andre Kellman
Andre Kellman, 54, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly and was not required to plea to the indictable charge, which detailed that on July 30, 2018 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), he sexually assaulted a 34-year-old woman.
Attorney for the accused, Glen Hanoman, in a bail application asked the court to release his client.
Reports are the victim had alleged that she was hugged and kissed on her lips by the accused when she visited his office on a work-related matter. In her complaint letter, which was seen by this newspaper, the woman explained that she went to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO) to have an issue with her boss’ vehicle resolved.
She alleged that after a commitment was given to have the issue resolved with her boss’ 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 reported that the act was “inappropriate” and 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 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 afterwards in shock. 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 had passed and she had not heard anything and after inquiring she received a WhatsApp message stating that the issue was “addressed” but with no details about any actions being taken.
When further questions were posed, her inquiries went unanswered. As such the woman filed a report at the Timehri Police Station. The incident was subsequently reported in the media. Following reports in the media about the incident, the airport pass of the concessionaire staff was revoked.
The airport later confirmed that a senior official was being investigated for sexual misconduct and was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the complaint.
Nevertheless, a few days later, the DCEO was back on the job, while the complainant remained at home.
Kellman was initially released by station bail. Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the investigations, a file was sent to DPP, who recommended that charges be instituted against him.
On Friday, he was released on $70,000 bail and the case was adjourned to August 27.
