Three individuals, including two former civil servants, have been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) in connection with a significant $748,763 scam involving the Ministry of Education’s Transport Assistance program.
Levani Bose, who served as a Clerical Officer in the Transport Assistance Unit, and Ivamere Driu, a Senior Accounts Officer within the Ministry of Education, each face a charge of Abuse of Office. They allegedly enabled fraudulent payments to Surend Kumar, a transport service provider, who is now charged with Obtaining Financial Advantage.
Kumar is accused of submitting falsified and inflated Transport Assistance Summary Claim forms to the Ministry of Education, Heritage, and Arts (MEHA) between January 31, 2016, and December 31, 2020. This fraudulent activity allegedly allowed him to receive an unauthorized financial advantage totaling $748,763.09.
As part of the legal proceedings, Bose, Driu, and Kumar are required to report to the FICAC office on the last Saturday of each month starting from November 30, 2024.
This situation underscores the importance of accountability in public service and the ongoing efforts by FICAC to combat corruption effectively. It serves as a reminder that breaches of trust within government operations will be addressed seriously, fostering a greater sense of integrity in public administration.
Summary: Three individuals, including two civil servants, have been charged in a substantial $748,763 scam related to the Ministry of Education’s Transport Assistance program. They are accused of facilitating fraudulent payments, highlighting FICAC’s commitment to tackling corruption within government sectors.
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