By Alric Lindsay
Yesterday, January 24, 2025, Keron Leonard Watler and Shomar Christophe Bazil appeared in the Grand Court to face allegations under the Anti-Corruption Act. Bazil pleaded not guilty to a charge of bribery of a public officer, and Watler pleaded not guilty to breach of trust.
Allegation against Bazil
In the Grand Court, it was alleged that, between February 8, 2019, and March 5, 2019, Bazil committed an act of bribery under the Anti-Corruption Act by giving $150 to Marc Chin, who was a public officer working at the Department of Vehicles & Drivers’ Licensing, to procure or facilitate the commission of an offence by Marc Chin. The alleged offence was to give a passing mark on the driving theory test.
Following his not-guilty plea, a trial will occur on June 9, 2025.
If convicted on indictment, he could face up to fourteen years.
Allegation against Watler
Regarding Watler, it was alleged in the Grand Court that he committed a breach of trust between February 25, 2019 and May 8, 2019. The alleged offence was that Watler, a vehicle inspector at the relevant time, aided a candidate to pass a driving theory test in exchange for a reward.
Following his not-guilty plea, a trial will occur on June 17, 2025.
If convicted, he could face up to five years.
Note to readers:
Bribery is covered under section 10 of the Anti-Corruption Act (2024 Revision). This states:
Bribery of public officers and members of the Cayman Islands Parliament
10. (1) A public officer or a member of the Cayman Islands Parliament who directly or indirectly — (a) solicits; (b) accepts or obtains; or (c) agrees to accept or obtain, for themselves or any other person, any loan, reward, advantage or other benefit with intent — (d) to interfere with the administration of justice; (e) to procure or facilitate the commission of an offence; or (f) to protect from detection or punishment a person who has committed or who intends to commit an offence, commits an offence.
(2) Any person who gives or offers to a public officer or to a member of the Cayman Islands Parliament any loan, reward, advantage or other benefit, with intent that the public officer or member of the Cayman Islands Parliament should do anything mentioned in subsection (1)(d),(e), or (f) commits an offence.
(3) A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years.
Breach of trust is covered under section 13 of the Anti-Corruption Act. This states:
Breach of trust by public officer or by a member of the Cayman Islands Parliament
13. A public officer or a member of the Cayman Islands Parliament who, in connection with the duties of that public officer’s office, commits fraud or a breach of trust is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of five years, whether or not the fraud or breach of trust would be an offence if it were committed in relation to a private person.
