Court to rule on SOCU’s application for Brutus’ bank records

…as application also made for co-defendant’s bank records

The Georgetown Magistrate’s Court is set to rule on February 7, 2025, on an application by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), seeking access to bank records belonging to embattled Assistant Police Commissioner (ag) Calvin Brutus.
This was announced on Friday during a proceeding before Chief Magistrate (ag) Faith McGusty. During the proceeding, SOCU’s prosecutor David Brathwaite also made an application to have access to contractor Corwin Nicholson’s bank records.
Nicholson was jointly charged alongside Brutus in a high-profile financial crime case.
This comes on the heels of SOCU pushing for Demerara Bank to release key banking information as part of its investigation.
During court proceedings, defence attorneys led by Domnick Bess were granted time to submit a written response to SOCU’s application, with a deadline set for February 7.

Magistrate McGusty confirmed that she will issue her ruling on that date, determining whether SOCU will be granted access to the bank records.
The prosecutor, in turn, was directed to submit an index of statements by the same date, outlining the evidence and charges against Brutus, Nicholson, and the other accused parties.
Brutus and Nicholson’s matter was adjourned to February 7, 2025, while Brutus’ wife, Adonika Aulder who was jointly charged with him, saw her case deferred to February 14, 2025, at 10:30h.
A gag order remains in place concerning any legal proceedings related to Aulder, unless a contrary court order is issued.
The legal entanglement of Calvin Brutus has been ongoing for months, following his indictment on charges linked to financial misconduct and fraud.
The allegations triggered an expansive SOCU-led probe, resulting in the freezing of multiple bank accounts linked to Brutus, his wife, and several associates.
From the outset, Brutus has vigorously contested the allegations, with his legal team mounting repeated challenges against the state’s efforts to access his financial records.

His lawyers argue that the authorities’ actions amount to overreach, while SOCU insists that these records are critical to exposing illicit financial activities.
Brutus’ defence team has also sought redress through special tribunals, contesting the Government’s handling of the investigation.
The hearings have focused on the legitimacy of the frozen assets, the scope of SOCU’s authority, and claims by the defence that the case is politically motivated.
Despite these legal efforts, SOCU has remained steadfast in its pursuit, arguing that Brutus and his co-defendants must be held accountable and that the court must allow full transparency into their financial dealings.
Brutus, who is also a 44-year-old attorney with 25 years of service in the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was initially charged in October 2024 with 30 offences, including money laundering, obtaining money by false pretences, misconduct in public office, liability of officials, and larceny by a public official.
These charges stem from allegations that between December 2023 and July 2024, Brutus authorised payments totalling over $102 million to 3D Construction, a company owned by contractor Nicholson, for goods that were never supplied to the GPF.
The items in question included boots, pointed stars, handcuffs, handcuff casings, and uniform cloth. In November 2024, Brutus faced an additional 201 charges related to financial misconduct, bringing the total to 231.
He was granted bail totalling $16.25 million for these charges.
In January 2025, SOCU filed an application under Section 12 of the Evidence Act, seeking access to the bank records of Brutus and his co-accused.
Additionally, in December 2024, Brutus was accused of attempting to leave Guyana via Brazil, in violation of a court order prohibiting him from leaving the jurisdiction.
His legal team has denied these allegations, asserting that he had no intention of fleeing and was merely travelling for personal reasons.
In a related matter, Brutus has filed a $400 million lawsuit against SOCU and several senior members of the GPF, alleging misconduct and malfeasance in public office.
This lawsuit, filed in November 2024, claims that the charges against him are baseless and constitute an abuse of power.
The case has garnered significant public attention due to the involvement of high-ranking police officials and the substantial sums of money involved.