Assistant Collector of Customs, Sonji Williams and her husband Oliver Williams, were found guilty of corruption in the Grand Turk Magistrates Court today.
Both defendants were fined $5,000 each and sentenced to a 12-month suspended sentence. Both were also barred from government service for two years. Senior Customs Officer Sonji Williams and her husband were arrested on November 8th last year in a joint Integrity Commission and Police operation.
The Williams’ were both charged with corruption offences whilst in public office. The charges were based on the illegal importation of a horse on March 14th last year. Eugene Otuonye, Director of the Integrity Commission, said the significance of this prosecution went well beyond the illegal importation of a horse.
The corrupt actions of the two officials had threatened to undermine the trust and confidence that the public placed in their law enforcement officials. The restrictions placed on the importation of animals were designed to protect the economic well being and public health of the islands. An outbreak of animal disease could cause havoc on the tourist industry.
The Integrity Commission thanked the Police and other collaborative efforts in the successful prosecution.
