Two former officers of the i-Taukei Land Trust Board Nadi branch who embezzled more than $20,000 were today handed 22 months and 18 months prison sentences respectively.
Atunaisa Baleiwai was charged with two counts of embezzlement and was jointly charged with Lario Salatovou with nine counts of false pretense.
The court heard that between 24th November 2008 and 23rd April 2009, they embezzled $21,924 which was payment of lease offer letter that was received from 11 residents who were desperate to lease a piece of land for residential and agricultural purposes.
Baleiwai and Salatovou received all the cash payments from the residents and shared it.
The two pleaded guilty to the charges.
Nadi Magistrate Mohammad Ajmeer said that the amount involved was high and no attempt was made to return the money.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
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Former TLTB officers jailed
