–gov’t says in outright rejection of Rickford Burke’s US complaint
–details legal proceedings, urges FBI to investigate ‘false’ claims

THE Government of Guyana has categorically dismissed the allegations made by wanted man Rickford Burke, a Guyanese national residing in Brooklyn, New York, who has claimed that the Guyanese government is persecuting him, and has even attempted to kidnap him.

In a statement issued on Monday, the government described Burke’s complaint to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as “absolutely false and wholly unfounded”, urging the US authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into these claims, and to take appropriate action against Burke if his allegations are proven to be baseless.

The Government of Guyana’s response, which is dated July 27, 2024, was addressed to the Desk Officer for Guyana at the US Department of State, and was copied to the FBI, several US State Department officials, the Department of Justice, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and the United States Ambassador to Guyana.

The letter refuted Burke’s claims, characterising them as “a malicious attack on the integrity, reputation, good name, and international standing of the Government of Guyana”.

ALLEGATIONS AND COUNTERCLAIMS

Burke, who has a history of vocal criticism against the Guyanese government, reportedly filed a complaint with a US Department within the FBI, accusing the Guyanese authorities of orchestrating a persecution campaign against him.

Burke’s complaint allegedly included a claim that officers of the Guyana Police Force were sent to his home in Brooklyn to kidnap him, an allegation the government here has vehemently denied.

In its detailed rebuttal, the Government of Guyana outlined a series of events leading up to the current legal proceedings against Burke.

According to the government, Burke has been using his social media platform to launch a series of defamatory attacks against several business entities in Guyana, under the guise of consumer protection.

These attacks, the government claims, were part of a larger extortion scheme in which Burke would privately offer to cease his public assaults in exchange for monetary payments.

The government further revealed that one of the targetted business owners reported Burke’s alleged extortion attempt to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), leading to a sting operation in which marked bills were handed over to one of Burke’s associates.

This operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals, one of whom reportedly confessed in writing, implicating Burke as the mastermind behind the scheme.

LEGAL ACTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT

Following these developments, Burke and his associates were charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit a felony under the Criminal Law (Offences) Act of Guyana.

The charges are currently pending before a Magistrate in the district where the alleged offences occurred.

The main witness in the major extortion and conspiracy trial has directly implicated Burke, not only for allegedly being part of the conspiracy, but also as the owner of the Guyana News Network (GNN), a platform notorious for publishing defamatory articles targetting opponents of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

The Magistrate has issued a summons, which was served on Burke, in Brooklyn, by a licensed legal-process server hired by the GPF.

The service of the summons, which was video recorded from a distance by a Guyanese police officer, has been a critical step in ensuring that Burke is notified of the charges, and is given the opportunity to answer them in court.

Despite these ongoing legal proceedings in Guyana, Burke has reportedly filed civil proceedings in the Guyanese courts, in an effort to prevent the criminal charges from being heard.

The Government of Guyana has interpreted this move as an attempt by Burke to avoid facing justice by not appearing in court.

“From the above narrative, it is excruciatingly clear that the Government of Guyana played no part whatsoever in the aforementioned extortion imbroglio. It is simply a citizen of Guyana taking such legal steps necessary and available to him under the laws and Constitution of Guyana, to protect himself and his business from what he considers to be criminal conduct on the part of Mr. Burke,” government said in its statement.

In light of Burke’s complaint to US authorities, the Government of Guyana has formally requested the FBI to investigate the matter.

The government has expressed confidence that a thorough investigation will reveal Burke’s allegations to be “baseless, false, and malicious”, and has urged the FBI to take appropriate actions against him for filing such reports.

IMPLICATIONS FOR US-GUYANA RELATIONS

The Government of Guyana has made it clear that it views this matter very seriously and has already begun consultations with legal experts in the United States to explore potential legal actions against Burke.

Additionally, the government has lodged a comprehensive report with the US Department of Justice, the US State Department, the FBI, and other US agencies, detailing Burke’s alleged criminal incitements, racial hostilities, and defamatory attacks against prominent Guyanese citizens.

“These authorities have been invited to explore all mutual legal facilities available in ensuring that these allegations are fully investigated and the relevant criminal proceedings instituted in both jurisdictions in order to ensure that justice is done in accordance with law,” it said.

The Government of Guyana reaffirmed the independence and integrity of the country’s law enforcement and judicial systems.
The government highlighted that the legal proceedings against Burke were initiated by a private citizen seeking protection under the law, and that the Guyana Police Force, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the judiciary have acted in accordance with their constitutional and legal duties.