JUST IN: Former Lucea mayor could now face criminal charges over contracts scandal

Former mayor of Lucea Shernet Haughton could now face criminal charges following a decision by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to reverse its original decision in the Hanover Parish Council Contracts scandal.

In April, the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled that although there was overwhelming evidence of nepotism involving the award of contracts to Haughton’s relatives, it was not an offence “known” to the criminal law.

READ: DPP rules no criminal charges against PNP councillor Shernet Haughton

The Office of the Contractor General had found that 22 contracts, worth more than $3.7 million, were awarded to relatives and persons affiliated with the former mayor and referred the matter to the DPP for prosecution.

After the Office of the DPP ruled that it would not prosecute the matter, the Office of the Contractor General took the matter to court for a Judicial Review.

READ: Contractor General files application to overturn DPP's decision in Shernet Haughton case

When the matter was called up in chambers today, the Office of the DPP presented an affidavit reversing its earlier position.

This means that Haughton now faces the possibility of being charged in connection with her actions while she was mayor of the Hanover capital.

More details soon