NASSAU- The Director of Public Prosecutions today dropped charges against a former government official accused of misconduct in public office, 10 days before his trial was supposed to begin.
Kenred Dorsett, the former Minister of Environment and Housing under a Perry Christie-led government, appeared before Senior Justice Bernard Turner today for a case management hearing.
However, prosecutors brought the proceedings against him to an end with the presentation of a nolle prosequi.
Dorsett’s trial was scheduled for March 21 through April 4.
In an unprecedented move, the DPP issued a press release and gave a reason for withdrawing the case.
According to the statement, the prosecution’s key witness, Jonathan Ash, was not willing to testify.
Without Ash’s testimony, there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Ash was also the prosecution’s key witness in the corruption trial of former PLP Cabinet Minister Shane Gibson.
In 2019, a jury acquitted Gibson of bribery.
Last year, Justice Turner ruled that pursuant to the Prevention of Bribery Act, Gibson was entitled to costs as a result of his acquittal.
According to the Prevention of Bribery Act, government would reimburse Gibson for cost of his defense in the action.
