Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday granted bail to embattled Permanent Secretary of the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Sharon Hicks who was allegedly caught accepting a bribe from a businessman.
Hicks, 42, accompanied by her lawyer, Sase Gunraj, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. She was released on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty to a count of corrupt transaction. The conditionality of the bail is that she lodges her passport with the court until the hearing and determination of the case. Her next court date is Monday.
PS Sharon Hicks with her lawyer Sase Gunraj at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday
It is alleged that on October 7, 2021, at the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, Lot 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while being employed by the Government, Hicks obtained $200,000 from Heramainie Chintamanie as an inducement or reward for processing the payment request of the said Chintamanie for security services provided, an act in relation to her principal affairs.
During a bail application, Hicks’ lawyer told the court that his client, who has an unblemished criminal record, has been employed with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry for the last 10 years. Counsel said that she is prepared to defend the charges against her.
The Permanent Secretary was arrested in October after she was reportedly caught in a “bribe money” sting operation set up by the Police.
Reports are that she was arrested at the Ministry’s office after a businessman, who provides security services to the Ministry, reported to the Police that she has been demanding money from him in order for her to approve payments for his company.
He claimed that this was reportedly the practise that his father had to endure but his father has since died and he has taken over the business.
After the matter was reported, marked banknotes were given to the contractor who then paid the PS.
It is alleged that after she collected the money, ranks from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit swooped down on her office and arrested her.
At the time of her arrest, Permanent Secretary Hicks was reportedly in possession of the envelope with the marked money.
After the arrest, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry in a statement on the matter said that on October 7, 2021, Hicks was sent on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Police investigation.
Police, after completing investigations, forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which advised that Hicks be charged with one count of corrupt transaction. Hicks was appointed Permanent Secretary in October 2020. (G1)
