Pawan Deo, a former accountant for the Fiji Rugby Union (FRU), and his wife, Subhashni Mudaliar, pleaded not guilty to fraud-related charges in the Suva Magistrate’s Court. During the session presided over by Magistrate Krishan Prasad, the couple faced allegations of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining financial gain, and unlawfully securing a financial advantage.

The charges stem from allegations that, while being the sole proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited (SSL), Deo conspired with Mudaliar to wrongfully obtain $53,788.75 from the FRU. The alleged misconduct occurred between February 1 and July 31, 2022. Furthermore, the couple is accused of facilitating fraudulent payments to SSL and receiving $7,291.83, despite knowing the company was not entitled to those funds during the period between February 1 and May 11, 2022.

Prosecution lawyer Ravinesh Lal informed the court that full disclosures had been provided to the accused on November 26 of the previous year. The couple’s lawyers indicated their intention to seek legal representation from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) to reconsider the charges. Their bail was extended, and the case was adjourned until February 28.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding financial integrity within sports organizations in Fiji and emphasizes the role of FICAC in addressing potential misconduct. The case serves as a reminder of the commitment to upholding transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.

As the case progresses, it highlights the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. While challenging, this situation can also lead to positive outcomes if it encourages stricter regulations and oversight within sporting entities in Fiji, ultimately benefitting the integrity of the sports community.