Calvin Brutus 200+ charges: Trial hears fmr Assistant Commissioner approved payments for wife’s companies

As the financial misconduct trial against former Assistant Commissioner of Police Calvin Brutus commenced on Monday, prosecutors sought to establish a link between companies owned by his wife, Adonika Aulder and the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) procurement system.

The matter is being heard before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty. During the opening day of the trial, Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor and attorney Darin Chan led evidence showing that two companies, South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc and Triple A Depot, conducted business with the GPF. The transactions occurred while Brutus, 46, served as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration).

Senior Superintendent of Police Bharat Persaud, the Force’s Finance Officer, testified that millions of dollars in payments to the companies passed through the procurement and payment approval system during Brutus’ tenure. According to Persaud, procurement requests and payment vouchers were subject to a structured approval process before public funds were released.

Persaud explained that shortly after assuming duties as Finance Officer in October 2021, he received a written directive from Brutus establishing the procedures governing procurement within the Force. The directive required that procurement of goods and services receive the approval of the Deputy Commissioner (Administration), while payment submissions were to be examined by the Finance Office to ensure they carried that approval before processing.

The witness also told the court that any payment submission lacking the Deputy Commissioner (Administration)’s approval was to be reported and that he was required to submit weekly reports detailing vouchers processed by the Finance Office. Persaud then outlined the procurement chain, explaining that requests originated from the Quartermaster Stores before being forwarded for approval.

Persaud testified that procurements valued between $250,000 and $1.5 million required approval from the Ministerial Tender Board before contracts could be awarded.

He added that contracts valued at more than $1.5 million and up to $15 million had to be approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) before the procurement process could proceed.

According to the witness, procurement submissions also included quotations, business registration documents and Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) compliance certificates before approval was granted. Persaud said that after the documents reached his office, he checked that they bore Brutus’ approval, usually indicated by the initials “CB.”

After he signed payment vouchers as Finance Officer, Persaud said they were forwarded to Brutus before being examined by the Ministry of Home Affairs, approved by the Permanent Secretary and entered into the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting System (IFMAS).

Business registration in wife’s name

The prosecution also called Deeds and Commercial Registry Clerk Lashawna Canzius, who produced business registration records showing that Triple A Depot, a business whose name appears to reflect the initials of Adonika Alicia Aulder, is owned by Brutus’ wife. She also tendered records relating to South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc, the company owned by Aulder.

Persaud also gave evidence in relation to transactions involving Triple A Depot and South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc., as well as the alleged request by Brutus for the 221 payment vouchers connected to those businesses to be submitted to him. Registrar General Raymon Cummings tendered a certified copy of the marriage certificate of Brutus and Aulder.

Sergeant Lerone Wilkinson, a SOCU investigator, testified that he obtained the business registration records for Triple A Depot and South Quata Contracting and General Supplies Inc from the Commercial Registry on September 19, 2024. The documents were later admitted into evidence as exhibits.

200+ charges

In the ongoing proceedings, Brutus is facing one count of misconduct in public office and 221 counts of liability of official as part of a wider SOCU investigation into the alleged misappropriation of approximately $800 million in GPF funds. It is alleged that Brutus, while serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police and performing the duties of Deputy Commissioner, Administration, used the authority of that office to create the opportunity for his wife, through businesses connected to her, to defraud the State of large sums of money.

It is further alleged that, during January 2024, he instructed Persaud to submit to him 221 payment vouchers relating to those businesses and that the vouchers were not returned to the Police Finance Office. Also appearing for the State is Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Natasha Backer. Brutus was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Yuborn Allicock and Domnick Bess. Brutus had previously denied the allegations, maintaining that the funds represent his personal savings and monetary gifts received over the years. The trial continues on October 8, 12 and 13, when Persaud is expected to face cross-examination by Brutus’ attorneys.

This matter is one of several trials before the Magistrates’ Court arising out of a 2024 SOCU investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the GPF.

Prosecutors contend that while serving as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Brutus diverted public funds for personal gain. Approximately $300 million has been linked to properties and other assets owned by Brutus and his wife, while another $500 million remains frozen in bank accounts belonging to the couple, their businesses and their son. Brutus, along with his wife, Adonika Aulder; Police Sergeant Kevin George; Latoya Brummell; and businessman Asif Zafarally, is facing multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, in connection with the alleged misappropriation of State funds. Brutus remains on more than $16 million bail, while his co-accused have also posted substantial cash bail. As part of their bail conditions, they are required to lodge their passport with the court and report to the police periodically. Brutus, an attorney-at-law by profession, was first charged in October 2024. Four months later, in February 2025, the Police Service Commission (PSC) dismissed him from the GPF, bringing an end to more than 25 years of service.