Former Fiji Official Sentenced to Jail for Corruption

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- The Principal Accounts Officer for the Agriculture Ministry, Suliasi Sorovakatini, has been sentenced to two and a half years of jail by High Court Judge, Justice Gerard Winters. The court found Sorovakatini guilty of one count of abuse of office, for which he was sentenced to sixteen months, and one count of official corruption, for which he was sentenced to two and a half years.  His sentences will run concurrently. 

Sorovakatini admitted the allegations of corruption and pleaded guilty to these charges in July. 

The scandal involved the misappropriation of public funds from June 2000 until December 2001.  During that period Sorovakatini wrote 51 Westpac checks, totally USD $600,000, payable to Repina Wholesalers. The Accounts Officer also ensured that whenever able, he would ensure that Repina Wholesalers would be awarded contracts for the supply of farming implements, chemicals and fertilisers under the Affirmative Action Plan. In return for these services, Sorovakatini received received property  and cashing totally about USD $70,000.

The High Court found that these actions were in breach of the Finance Act. 

Two other businessmen have been implicated in this scandal, but have denied any involvement.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International - Former official jailed over agriculture ministry scam - 26 September 2007

Fiji Live - Sorovakatini jailed for 2 1/2 years - 26 September 2007

Fiji Times Online - Sorovakatini sentencing tomorrow - 25 September 2007