By obtaining this financial advantage and thereby causing a loss to government, you have not only breached the trust of your employer but more importantly, the public in this country.
Magistrate Joseph Daurewa said this while sentencing Vasiti Tabuakuro to 12 months imprisonment at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday for illegally obtaining over $4000 through corrupt practices.
The former Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services employee was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in June this year for one count each of obtaining a financial advantage and general dishonesty – causing a loss.
According to a statement by FICAC the 26-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges in August and was convicted accordingly.
“While working as a temporary relieving packer, she admitted to receiving revenue and issuing receipts from a Ministry of Health (MOH) receipt book without entering the details of the payments into the Revenue Collector’s Cash Analysis Book and not putting the money from sales in the till,” the statement said.
Magistrate Daurewa said Tabuakuro’s role was entrusted with a form of revenue collection for the Government of Fiji.
Furthermore, in taking into consideration the time of the offence which was a two month period, he said that it was done at a time where the government is trying to ensure revenue collection for the best interests of the people of Fiji.
He said her selfishness has taken away the benefit of $4,050.45 which she obtained, from the people and that he saw no reason to suspend her sentence.
