A former accountant for the Fiji Rugby Union and his partner are in custody as they await a bail decision. Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar appeared before senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza on charges of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining a gain, and obtaining a financial advantage. The charges allege that while managing Sports Supplies Limited, and with Deo serving as FRU’s financial accountant, they conspired to fraudulently obtain $53,788.75 from the FRU between February 1 and July 31, 2022.
Additionally, they are accused of improperly facilitating payments to their company, resulting in an illicit gain of $7,291.83, knowing their firm was not entitled to these funds, occurring between February 1 and May 11, 2022. During the court proceedings, both defendants chose to represent themselves. Prosecutor Mary Takinana did not oppose bail but requested stipulations for their release, which were later accepted. Magistrate Hamza ordered that the couple remain in custody until their sureties are presented in court today.