The Tribune

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE financial intelligence officer testified yesterday that he was present when former Long Island MP Adrian Gibson’s ex-fiancée told police she made payments for two companies at his direction, as the Crown continued to probe the flow of money tied to Water and Sewerage Corporation contracts awarded during Gibson’s tenure.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Kelson Colebrooke, of the police financial intelligence unit, gave evidence in the Supreme Court in the ongoing trial concerning WSC contracts awarded while Gibson served as the corporation’s executive chairman.

While being cross-examined by Damian Gomez KC, ASP Colebrooke said Alexandria Mackey handled payments for Elite Maintenance and Baha Maintenance. She also indicated to authorities that she paid subcontractors.

Ms Mackey previously testified that no shares were issued to Gibson for Elite Maintenance and that he never appeared on the register of directors or held a corporate position, but said this was by design. She said that although he was not formally appointed, he was the beneficial owner of the company.

During her police interview, Ms Mackey indicated that she made payments for those companies at Gibson’s directive.

The court heard that she purchased vehicles using company accounts and paid $122,000 to Englewood.

Ms Mackey also told police she paid $20,000 for building materials for Gibson’s houses in New Providence and Long Island from Elite’s accounts.

She further told police that $122,000 was withdrawn by Joann Knowles from the accounts in 2021. Ms Mackey told police she did not know where the money went.

Mr Gomez told the officer that Ms Mackey said she was president of the company.

The defence claimed ASP Colebrooke arrested Tanya Demeritte on May 5, 2022. The defence also claimed Ms Demeritte signed two contracts with WSC for painting the Baillou Hill water tanks on June 23, 2020. Although ASP Colebrooke could not recall this, he was shown a document for the projects bearing Ms Demeritte’s signature.

The officer agreed that he interviewed WSC employees involved in projects.

ASP Colebrooke said that as far as he knew, Jerome Missick never filed a complaint against Gibson or purchased anything from him.

The defence claimed Gibson had to refinance his home in Nassau. The officer said he was unaware of this.

Mr Gomez also questioned whether the officer made inquiries into a Scotiabank account said to have been for Gibson’s benefit and which allegedly had $100,000.

Gibson has been on trial since November 2023 alongside former WSC general manager Elwood Donaldson Jr, Ms Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Mr Missick over contracts awarded during his tenure.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson is presiding.