A MAN charged with one count of giving false information to a public servant and conversion has been found guilty by the Labasa Magistrates Court.
Appearing before Magistrate Timoci Qalinauci last Friday, the court heard that the accused, Alick Thaggard, was the spokesman and point of contact for the Vatukaroa community and applied for funding assistance for the construction of a community hall.
The Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs provided assistance in the form of building materials worth $11,000.
Mr Thaggard was entrusted with these to construct a community hall, but constructed a church instead.
FICAC state counsel Adrian Sharma had called five witnesses who gave evidence to prove the charges during the two-week trial.
Mr Thaggard chose to exercise his right to remain silent when asked by Mr Qalinauci if he wanted to give evidence.
In delivering his judgment, Mr Qalinauci stated that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the offences.
The matter has been adjourned to October 12, 2018, for sentencing.
Mr Thaggard was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in 2016.
