Dr Ewart Brown Formally Charged With 13 Counts Of Corruption, Released On $250,000 Bail With Like Surety

It’s official – following an investigation spanning nearly a decade, former Premier Dr Ewart Brown was formally charged in virtual Plea Court session in Magistrates’ Court this morning (Jan 20) with 13 counts of corruption.

According to the Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke, five of the 13 charges are linked to agreements with Lahey Clinic, through which Dr Brown was alleged to have received $4.01 million in monthly payments between 2001 and 2010.

The Crown alleges that the eight remaining charges are related to allegations that he corruptly obtained $350,500 in donations to benefit the Progressive Labour Party and the Bermuda Health Foundation between 2004 and 2010.

The offences are alleged to have occurred between 2001 and 2010. The earlier offences are alleged to have taken place while Dr Brown was the Minister of Tourism and Transport and later when he was the Premier of Bermuda.

Dr Brown, who appeared remotely via Zoom from Florida, was not required to enter a plea to the indictable offences, which will be dealt with in the Supreme Court.

The only time he spoke during today’s proceeding was when he confirmed that he hear the Senior Magistrate, Juan Wolffe, who released Dr Brown on $250,000 with a like surety of the same amount.

He is represented by QC Jerome Lynch.

The case is expected to be called in the Supreme Court during the arraignment session in April 2021.