State appeals dismissal of conspiracy to defraud charges against former minister Patterson, former Demerara Harbour Bridge boss

Last Updated on Friday, 24 January 2025, 17:24 by Writer

The four-year old charge of conspiracy to defraud against former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson and former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Rawlston Adams has been dismissed, but the State has since appealed the magistrate’s decision.

Mr Patterson said the charge was dismissed on January 17, 2025, after the Magistrate said there was no evidence that any agreement existed between himself and Mr Adams to defraud the State.

According to Mr Patterson, there also was no evidence that State was deprived of funds, since the feasibility study on a new Demerara Harbour Bridge was completed and delivered in full in keeping the contract.

They had been charged with defrauding the Demerara Bridge Corporation of GY$162,635,015 between November 18, 2016, and February 1, 2018. They are accused of conspiring together with each other and with other persons unknown to defraud the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation of GYD$162,635,015, funds of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Asphalt Plant Account, for a project about a feasibility study and design for a new bridge which was not a function of that Corporation and so monies from the Asphalt Plant account could not be used.

Reacting to the decision by the State to appeal the Magistrate’s Court decision, Mr Patterson said that move was “not unexpected”. He said the Director of Public Prosecutions has previously stated that decisions by cabinet should not be carried to court. Mr Patterson reminded that that had been the basis for the withdrawal of charges against then Health Minister, Dr George Norton.

The former Public Infrastructure Minister said when the lawyers wrote to her to withdraw the case based on that ruling, she responded by saying that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had nothing to do with the case but instead it was the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). “It’s strange she is now involved,” he said.