Shane Gibson retains a new lawyer in corruption trial

Shane Gibson retains a new lawyer in corruption trial

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Former cabinet minister Shane Gibson has retained the services of Keith Knight, QC, to represent him in his corruption trail.

Gibson was initially represented by Damien Gomez, QC, and Owen Wells.

Knight, a Jamaican Queens Counsel, was the lead attorney in the Frank Smith bribery and corruption case.

The former PLP senator was acquitted of all charges earlier this year in February after Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt found that the prosecution had not made a sufficient case against him.

Gomez, who appeared on behalf of Knight in yesterday’s proceedings, indicated that Knight would argue the case going forward.

The Crown is being represented by James Guthrie, an English QC and attorney Terry Archer from the Attorney General’s Office.

Gibson will return to court on August 30that noon for a disclosure hearing.

His bail has been extended.

Gibson, a former minister of labor and national insurance was charged on August 3rd, 2017 with two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, 15 counts of extortion, 16 counts of bribery and one count of misconduct in public office.

However, in May 2018, Gibson’s indictment was amended and he now faces just 15 counts of bribery. He is accused of allegedly receiving $610,000 dollars from contractor Jonathan Ash.