Chief Valuation Officer Charged with Falsifying Property Valuation in Lusignan

Julian Barrington, Chief Valuation Officer, faces charges for facilitating a false property valuation linked to a Lusignan property. Allegations include misrepresentation to lower Capital Gains Tax obligations, with a court appearance on February 19, 2024. Despite pleading not guilty, he remains in custody due to unpaid bail, with further proceedings set for March 2025.

Julian Barrington, the Chief Valuation Officer of the Ministry of Finance, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court regarding allegations of falsifying a property valuation. He is accused of aiding an individual in submitting a misleading Certificate of Valuation on February 19, 2024, for a property located at Lot 129, Area “L,” Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.

It is claimed that the valuation document inaccurately represented the property as developed and fenced, with sand filling, in order to reduce Capital Gains Tax obligations. However, investigators found that no such developments had actually been made on the property. This charge is being pursued under Section 111(1)(b)(i) of the Income Tax Act, following the submission of the valuation to the Guyana Revenue Authority.

Julian Barrington has been charged with assisting in a false property valuation intended to evade taxes, with evidence suggesting no improvements were made to the property as claimed. Currently pleading not guilty, Barrington’s bail was set at $40,000, but he remains in custody for failing to post bail. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 26, 2025, as this case proceeds through the judicial system.

Original Source: www.stabroeknews.com