Pawan Deo, a former accountant for the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), and his wife Subhashni Mudaliar, appeared in the Suva Magistrate’s Court today, where they pleaded not guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining a financial gain, and obtaining financial advantage. The couple is accused of unlawfully acquiring a total of $53,788.75 from FRU while operating as the sole proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited (SSL) between February 1 and July 31, 2022.
Additionally, Deo and Mudaliar face allegations of facilitating fraudulent payments to SSL, which allegedly resulted in an improper gain of $7,291.83, knowing the company was not eligible to receive those funds between February 1 and May 11, 2022.
During the proceedings, prosecution lawyer Ravinesh Lal confirmed that all necessary documentation regarding the charges had been delivered to the defendants on November 26 of the previous year. The couple’s defense team expressed intentions to seek a reconsideration of the charges from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Their bail was extended as the case has been adjourned until February 28 for further hearings. This situation is reflective of ongoing challenges in maintaining financial integrity within organizations managing public funds in Fiji, particularly in sports, which has faced scrutiny over governance practices.
As the legal proceedings continue, it remains crucial to uphold the principles of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. This case may serve as a pivotal moment in reinforcing accountability within sporting bodies, potentially leading to improved regulations and oversight to prevent future financial misconduct.
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