A former accountant at the Fiji Rugby Union and his partner have been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court. They were kept in custody overnight until their case was heard this morning by Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza.
Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar face charges including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining a gain, and obtaining a financial advantage. It is alleged that as the sole proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited, with Deo also serving as the FRU’s financial accountant, the couple conspired to unlawfully acquire $53,788.75 from the FRU.
The alleged offenses took place between February 1 and July 31, 2022. Moreover, they are accused of facilitating fraudulent payments to Sports Supplies Limited, which resulted in them receiving $7,291.83, knowing that the company was not entitled to those funds. This incident is said to have occurred between February 1 and May 11, 2022.
FICAC prosecutor Mary Takinana did not contest the bail. Magistrate Hamza instructed both defendants to refrain from reoffending. Additionally, they have been required to surrender their travel documents and report to FICAC Headquarters monthly.
The case has been adjourned until November 5 for the second phase of disclosures.