By Stephen Breen Three Police officers could face criminal prosecution for their alleged involvement in pyramid schemes, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay is preparing to send files on the officers to Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo, who will decide if the officers are to be charged.

The move follows an internal investigation which began in February into complaints that Police officers were involved in promoting the get-rich-quick schemes and used the force headquarters at Prospect to advertise meetings.

Mr. Lemay admitted then that "one or more'' officers had been carrying out pyramid business during working hours.

In February, he issued a statement saying: "The Attorney General's Chambers has expressed the view that the pyramid schemes contravene the Lotteries Act 1944 and the Criminal Code of 1905.'' Mr. Lemay ordered the officers involved in the schemes to stop because it was bringing discredit on the force.

The Royal Gazette revealed in September that Mr. Tokunbo returned a file to Police on civilians involved in the pyramid schemes, which swept the Island towards the end of last year, recommending no action.

Police also carried out a lengthy internal investigation into the involvement in officers which will result in the file on the three officers being sent to Mr. Tokunbo.

In a statement in response to Royal Gazette questions last night, Police said: "The Police internal investigation yielded three files on three different officers that are ready for review by the DPP. They will be sent from the Office of the Commissioner of Police very shortly.

"You will appreciate that the initial investigations began in February, and were completed in June. The mammoth task involving the compilation of all statements and records has a taken a further five months to complete.

"The pyramid scheme investigation (internally and externally) has now concluded, pending recommendations received from the Department of Public Prosecution, again after they have received and reviewed the files.'' The statement did not make it clear if the officers would face disciplinary action even if they escape criminal prosecution in the courts.

Police in pyramid scheme probe When Mr. Tokunbo announced in September that he was recommending no action on the pyramid schemes, Police said they were continuing their investigations with a view to sending further files for him to consider prosecuting.

The statement last night said there are no further civilian files pending before Mr. Tokunbo at this time.

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) announced in November that the newly-enacted Investment Business Act will in the future offer protection to the public from pyramid schemes.

The schemes which gained rapid popularity towards the end of last year involved Bermudians spending $500, $2,000, and $6,000 in the expectation of getting $4,000, $16,000 or $48,000 back after eight people signed on after them.

As controversy raged about the schemes, the organiser of one of the most popular schemes altered the structure and alleged it was a "mutual assistance financial plan''.

BMA chairperson Cheryl Lister said the new act might prove useful in deterring pyramid schemes, as anyone carrying out an investment business would have to be licensed by the BMA.