GBTI Directors, CEO charged for breaching court order

Seven officials of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) were on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with allegedly breaching a production order issued in August by acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.
GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby; Directors Edward A. Beharry, Suresh Beharry, Kathryn Eytle-McLean, Richard Isava, Carlton James and Basil Mahadeo; together with Chief Executive Officer (ag) Shaleeza Shaw, were all jointly charged with the offence. However, Director Eytle-McLean was charged in absentia, since she is currently out of the jurisdiction on vacation.
It is alleged that they failed to comply with a production order issued by Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire after they were served with an order to produce certain documents within seven days to Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). A Marshal of the High Court served them with the order on August 29, 2017.
The accused persons, represented by Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes, all pleaded not guilty to the joint charge. Director Eytle-McLean was not present to plead.
SOCU Prosecutor Patrice Henry led the prosecution’s case.
SOCU had reportedly requested bank information in the ongoing probe regarding an alleged fraud at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which is presently being heard before the High Court. The GBTI officials are accused of failing to comply without any probable reason.
While the defence lawyer attested that the financial institution was last Friday granted an extension of time to comply with the order, the prosecutor contended that the bank officials had deliberately withheld the requested documents.
The arraigned officials were released on their own recognizance, and the case was set for continuation on November 20, 2017. (Paula Gomes)