A former assistant provincial treasurer at the Kadavu Provincial Council, Suliasi Lau, has claimed to have fully repaid the $5,780 he illicitly obtained through fraudulent activities. This assertion was presented by Lau’s lawyer during mitigation submissions before Magistrate Aisea Paka. However, FICAC prosecutor Joshua Francis Prasad noted that this claim lacks verification due to the absence of documentary evidence to substantiate it.
Lau, 44, had previously pleaded guilty to seven counts of obtaining a financial advantage and four counts of falsifying documents in the Magistrate’s Court, with the offenses taking place between June and July of 2019. During this period, he received cash payments meant as provincial levies from four villages in Kadavu but failed to deposit the funds into the council’s account, instead pocketing $4,580 for himself. Additionally, Lau misappropriated a sum of $1,200 designated as allowances for three village headmen, for which he forged signatures on payment vouchers.
During the court proceedings, Mr. Prasad highlighted that any restitution made should not be perceived as an afterthought in the context of Lau’s sentencing. The court has mandated the defense to submit all receipts verifying the repayment to the court registry; failure to do so will result in the mitigation arguments regarding restitution being disregarded.
Lau expressed remorse for his actions and is seeking a non-custodial sentence. He remains in custody as he awaits his sentencing scheduled for March 12. This case underscores the ongoing challenges of financial integrity within public office, highlighting the importance of accountability and oversight in government financial practices.