By Alric Lindsay
Richard Anthony Andrews and Simalee Elizabeth Ebanks appeared in the Grand Court today, December 17, 2024, to face bribery allegations under section 10(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act. They pleaded not guilty.
Regarding Andrews, it was alleged that between November 19, 2018, and November 21, 2018, he offered Marc Chin, a former public officer with the Department of Vehicle and Drivers’ Licensing (DVDL), KYD 100 to arrange the issuance of a certificate of roadworthiness without obtaining the relevant inspection.
Concerning Ebanks, it was alleged that between December 6, 2016, and December 9, 2016, she offered Marc Chin KYD 100 to arrange the issuance of a certificate of roadworthiness without obtaining the relevant inspection.
Next steps
The next step will be a case management hearing in March 2025 and a trial commencing in June 2025.
Attorney James Stenning represented Andrews and Ebanks today, while Ms Toyin Salako was present on behalf of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Note to readers
The bribery allegations faced by Andrews and Ebanks fall under section 10(2) of the Anti-Corruption Act. 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.