Bank embezzlers remain in custody for sentencing [1]
Friday, April 4, 2014 - 17:15
Four former bank tellers who embezzled over $70,000 from the Westpac Bank of Tonga, were further remanded in custody today after their sentencing was adjourned to April 16.
Two women, Mo’ui Loketi, and Fifita ‘Uluheua Latu, and two men, Sione Matafahi and Tavake Kaufusi, appeared at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa this afternoon, March 4.
Mr Justice Charles Cato adjourned to April 16 to allow defence counsel to make their submissions before setting a date to deliver his sentence.
On March 18, the judge convicted Loketi, Latu and Matafahi of embezzling over $70,000 pa’anga on separate occasions. They stood trial from February 24 to March 11 this year after pleading not guilty to two charges each of embezzlement (or alternatively theft) and falsification of accounts.
Meanwhile, the other accused Kaufusi had pleaded guilty after the prosecution's case ended to an amended count of embezzlement and false accounting, alleging a slightly lower amount than he first faced.
Laki Niu and Palu Taufateau acted for the accused, with Marina Moa for the Crown.