Bail extended for $296,000 LTA scam duo

The Lautoka Magistrates Court has extended the bail for the couple who were allegedly involved in a $296,000 taxi permit scam.

Land Transport Authority former employee, Salanieta Daveta Tuidraki is charged with a count of abuse of office and a count of obtaining a financial advantage while LTA former employee Ratu Meli Nasamila is charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage.

It is alleged that between 1st September 2023 and 31st January 2024, Tuidraki while employed as the Acting Team Leader of the Public Transport Unit at the LTA issued canceled taxi permits on behalf of the Authority and received a sum of $148,000 from persons to whom the permits were issued to.

Tuidraki is alleged to have facilitated the process of issuing the canceled taxi permits on behalf of LTA to persons whom the canceled taxi permits were issued to, obtaining a financial advantage of $78,000.

Nasamila is alleged to have facilitated the process of issuing canceled taxi permits on behalf of LTA to persons whom the permits were issued to and obtained a financial advantage of $70,000.

The matter is adjourned to 9th December for plea.