GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) Corporation, Rawlston Adams, appeared in court on Monday charged with conspiracy to defraud a government corporation of almost G$163 million (US$781,841).

Patterson, who is also General Secretary of the Alliance For Change (AFC), and Adams jointly face the indictable charge that, between November 18, 2016, and February 1, 2018, they conspired with each other and with other persons unknown to defraud the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) Asphalt Plant of G$162,635,015 (US$780,091), for a project about a feasibility study and design for a new bridge, which was not a function of the DHBC and so monies from the Asphalt Plant account could not be used.

The two were each released on G$200,000 (US$959) bail when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly who adjourned the matter to February 15, 2021.

The charge, which was filed after investigations by the Guyana Police Force’s Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), stemmed from the controversial award of a contract for the feasibility study and design of a new Demerara River Crossing in 2016.