After two days of deliberations, jurors today acquitted former National Housing Development Trust chairman Geoffry Ebanks of charges of breach of trust and conflict of interest.
Ebanks, 46, of North Side, was on trial over allegations that he used his position to divert 60 truckloads of fill and compost material that was destined for non-profit Beacon Farms in North Side, to properties in which he had a vested interest.
The panel of six women and one man, who retired on Tuesday to consider their verdicts, returned to the Grand Court just after lunch today to declare that they had found Ebanks not guilty on both counts.
Following the delivery of the verdict, Ebanks declined to comment to the media on his acquittal.
‘I may have made a mistake’
Taking the stand to give evidence in his defence last week, Ebanks had told the jury that his only goal had been to prevent the project from stalling as he was under pressure to deliver homes in North Side and East End.
“I will admit that I may have made a mistake, but I didn’t intentionally do anything to benefit myself in any way,” Ebanks had said.
He added, “I was trying to do something to help people, help the country, help the district.”
Related Videos
