The police officer accused of tipping off a woman in a money-laundering investigation does have a case to answer, Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ruled yesterday.

Emmerson Carrington, of Devonshire, denied telling a contact named “Deonne” sensitive information regarding the investigation in a series of WhatsApp messages on November 29, 2013.

The 49-year-old has been suspended from the Bermuda Police Service.

Mr Tokunbo said he saw “some evidence” that Mr Carrington was the person messaging under the username “Birthdays are Overrated”, that the BlackBerry used in the exchange was his police-issued device, that Mr Carrington revealed his knowledge that a police investigation was under way, and that disclosure of this knowledge was likely to prejudice the investigation.

Mr Carrington had his bail extended and is expected to return to Magistrates’ Court on February 15. If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a $15,000 fine.

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