Dion Bascom was on Wednesday released on $300,000 bail on three cybercrime-related charges for allegedly harassing two of his senior colleagues online by accusing them of ‘covering up’ the murder of Ricardo ‘Paper Shorts’ Fagundes.
Bascom, 33, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The charges alleged that Bascom during August used a computer system to transmit electronic data with the intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to Superintendents Mitchell Ceasar and Chabinauth Singh.
Police Legal Advisor Mandel Moore objected to Bascom being released on bail citing the seriousness of the offence.
According to Moore, Bascom poses a flight risk since there is a strong likelihood that he might leave the jurisdiction.
However, Bascom’s attorney Nigel Hughes asked the court for his client to be released on bail and will abide by any condition attached. It was also disclosed that Bascom is currently on medical leave.
Hughes further told the court that a private criminal charge was filed against Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum under the Cybercrime Act.
The Chief Magistrate granted Bascom $100,000 bail on each count and adjourned the matter until September 21.
She also ordered Bascom to lodge his passport at the court and report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters every other Friday.
On August 8, Bascom was among five persons arrested by the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) after three pounds of cocaine were found in a Norton Street, Georgetown, residence.
Though arrested, Bascom was not charged and was released by CANU but he went live on his Facebook page and made several damning allegations of corruption against city businessman Azruddin Mohamed and senior officers of the Police Force as it relates to the murder of Fagundes.
Fagundes was riddled with bullets on March 21, 2021, on Main Street, Georgetown, moments after he exited a nightclub.
Bascom has since deleted the live video over fears about his family’s life.
An investigation carried out by the Regional Security System (RSS) did not find any evidence of corrupt practices or an attempt to cover up the probe into Fagundes’s murder.
Mohamed recently moved to the High Court to file a $200 million lawsuit against Bascom for defamation.
Caesar is currently in a defamation lawsuit against Bascom for alleged false statements made during the live video.
The senior officer demanded that Bascom retract allegations levelled against him, issue an apology and pay compensation for defamation in the sum of $50 million.
