A former assistant provincial treasurer for the Kadavu Provincial Council, Suliasi Lau, is facing legal consequences after being convicted on multiple counts of obtaining financial advantages and falsifying documents. Lau, age 44, allegedly misappropriated $5,780 during his tenure, an act that has drawn scrutiny from both the court and the Fijian Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Presenting his mitigation submissions before Magistrate Aisea Paka, Lau’s lawyer claimed that his client had fully repaid the amount he misappropriated. However, this assertion was challenged by FICAC prosecutor Joshua Francis Prasad, who stated that there is no available documentation to verify the claimed repayment. The court emphasized the need for concrete evidence of restitution, directing the defense to submit any receipts confirming payment to the court registry. Should this documentation not be provided, the issue of restitution will not be taken into account during sentencing.
In prior court proceedings, Lau admitted to seven counts of obtaining a financial advantage and four counts of falsification of documents. The offenses occurred between June and July 2019, during which Lau collected cash payments designated as provincial levies from several villages but failed to deposit these funds into the council’s account. This included misappropriating $1,200 intended for the allowances of three village leaders, for which he forged their signatures on payment vouchers.
During the hearing, it was noted that Lau has expressed remorse for his actions and is hoping for a non-custodial sentence. He remains in custody as he awaits sentencing, scheduled for March 12. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in public office and the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within governmental institutions.
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