Court

More front court in alleged FNPF scam

August 16, 2019 4:35 pm

Four more people were produced in court today  along with former employees of the FNPF and TLTB for allegedly defrauding the FNPF.

The six are alleged to have colluded to use forged Certificate of Titles to withdraw more than $31,000 from the FNPF accounts of four of the accused.

The first accused, Jack Edward Hiramatsu a former FNPF employee has been charged with five counts for allegedly forging various legal documents pertaining to the purchase of land.

Article continues after advertisement

The second accused Adi Mara Rufina Qaranivalu a former iTLTB clerk has been charged with one count of Forgery for allegedly forging a Certificate of Title.

The third accused Mosese Tikotikoca also faces one count of Using Forged Documents and one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception for allegedly obtaining $5,600 from the FNPF.

The fourth accused Asenaca Salusalu faces the same charges for allegedly obtaining $3,000.

Mataiasi Toa Masilaca has been charged with one count of Using Forged Document and one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage by Deception for allegedly obtaining $10,300 from FNPF using forged documents.

Jiuta Tukuna has been charged with the same two counts for allegedly obtaining $12,200 from FNPF using forged documents.

The alleged incident took place in June this year.

Hiramatsu and Qaranivalu have been remanded in custody until Monday as the prosecution indicated that there is a pending investigation against them.

The other four have been released on $200 cash bail and $2000 bail bond.

A stop departure has been issued against them and ordered not to interfere with the witnesses and not to re-offend.

The matter has been adjourned to 30th August for the four to take their plea while Hiramatsu and Qaranivalu will be produced in court again on Monday.