The former Chief Executive Officer of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission, Taniela Bolea has been found guilty of four counts of abuse of office by the Suva Magistrates Court.
The court heard that in January 2004 Bolea approved the payment of $7,248 to ANZ Bank for Visa Business Account without the approval of the Fiji Audio Visual Commission chairman.
Bolea also approved the payment of $4,286 to the same account without the chairman=s approval in April.
During the trial the court also heard that Bolea approved the payment of $2,930 and $823 in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
Magistrate Hetti wattage Somaratne while delivering his judgement said that Bolea did not follow the procedure and had directed for payments to be made by the accountants and by behaving in this manner he has prejudiced the rights of the Commission which is a public body.
Magistrate Somaratne also said that since Bolea is absconding from the trial he has no opportunity to hear his defence and was satisfied with the evidence provided by the prosecution.
Bolea has been absconding from the trial since 2011 and his whereabouts is not known.
FICAC will be submitting their sentencing submission on the 16th of next month after which Magistrate Somaratne is expected to deliver his sentence.
It was earlier believed that Bolea was in Australia.
Story by: Praneeta Prakash
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
