DPP to rule 'soon' on PNP Councillor accused of nepotism

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Paula Llewellyn, says her office will soon rule whether charges will be brought against Councillor Shernet Haughton following allegations of nepotism and breach of government regulations.

In a report, the Office of the Contractor General cited instances of nepotism, favouritism, and conflicts of interest in the recommendation for the award of government contracts to relatives and persons affiliated with Haughton while she was mayor of Lucea.

The OCG is asking the DPP to determine whether Haughton breached the Contractor General Act, the Code of Ethics for Councillors and the Handbook of Public Sector Procurement.
Llewellyn says since receiving the report yesterday, prosecutors have been assigned to conduct the necessary research that would help in arriving at her ruling.

The OCG says 22 contracts, with a cumulative value of $3.7 million, were awarded by the Hanover Parish Council to relatives and persons affiliated with the former mayor.

The report was tabled yesterday in the House of Representatives.

Haughton, who is also the People's National Party's (PNP) councillor for the Green Island division, stepped down as mayor last August amid pressure from her councillors and the leadership of the party.