BREAKING: Former Lucea mayor in contract scandal charged

Former Lucea Mayor Shernette Haughton pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of misconduct in a public office and breaches of the public sector procurement regulation of 2008.

She pleaded not guilty before the Hanover Parish Court after being subpoenaed and charged.

The charges stem from a report by the Office of the Contractor General that was submitted to Parliament (OCG) in March 2015.

Haughton was accused of nepotism, favouritism, and conflict of interest in the awarding of contracts to relatives and associates and friends.

The OCG pointed to 22 contracts, valued at $3.7 million that it claimed were awarded by the parish council to Haughton's relatives, including her husband.

Haughton is to return to court on July 26.