With his leadership of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) already under scrutiny, TTCB President Azim Bassarath has once again found himself in the firing line, this time for allegedly attempting to influence the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s (TTPS) ongoing fraud investigation into the cricket body.
According to a Guardian Media investigation published Monday, Bassarath, who is also Vice President of Cricket West Indies, wrote to the TTPS asking them to halt their investigation into a fraud report lodged by TTCB whistleblower and former treasurer, Kiswah Chaitoo.
In a letter dated March 18, 2025, Bassarath acknowledged a visit from TTPS Fraud Squad officers and confirmed receipt of their communication.
"After careful consideration, a decision was taken by the TTCB Executive not to pursue any action at this time in the criminal arena involving the report lodged with the police by former TTCB treasurer Chaitoo. I respectfully request no further action at this time by the police in the present matter, and I wish to thank you for your cooperation and courtesy extended," the letter said.
This letter came five months after Chaitoo—who had accused the board of financial misconduct—lost his appeal against a no-confidence motion passed by the TTCB. Chaitoo, a chartered accountant, alleged in late 2023 that approximately TT$500,000 went missing from the TTCB’s accounts.
Following the no-confidence vote, the board passed a special motion barring Chaitoo—and anyone similarly removed—for 10 years from holding any future TTCB positions.
In his communication with the TTPS, Bassarath tried to cast doubt on Chaitoo’s legitimacy as a complainant.
"Kiswah Chaitoo is no longer a member of the TTCB Executive or the TTCB Board, having been expelled. Mr Chaitoo acted on his own in making a police report without the authorisation of the TTCB or the president of the organisation," the letter stated.
Bassarath also distanced the board from the police complaint.
"The Chaitoo report was not authorised by the board. Mr Chaitoo was acting on a frolic of his own... The board is unaware of the full particulars and contents of said report and will issue comment with reservation until the report is disclosed to us," he noted.
Bassarath added that the TTCB preferred to pursue civil, rather than criminal, proceedings in the matter.
"Pursuing criminal action against the former employee with a view to punishment for wrongdoing is not the focus and priority of the board at this time," he argued.
This is not the first time Bassarath’s leadership has faced serious questions. A 2017 audit by the National Gas Company (NGC) revealed that TT$3 million in sponsorship funds were transferred by the TTCB without NGC’s approval. The audit also cited false financial reporting for 2014 and 2015, including duplicated entries.
Subsequently, PricewaterhouseCoopers conducted a forensic investigation titled Project Barcelona, which unearthed alleged collusion between then-SporTT director Imran Jan and Bassarath to secure increased funding for the TTCB. The report suggested Jan bypassed financial controls and was later rewarded with a coaching position—raising conflict-of-interest concerns.
According to Guardian Media, since 2014, the TTCB received over TT$100 million in funding from SporTT, Cricket West Indies, and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Sport & Culture Fund. Over TT$53 million of that came from public funds, including TT$28 million from SporTT.