U.S. fugitive to be returned to face fraud charges

American fugitive Antone Thomas (Chris) Pedras (64) will be returned to the United States to stand trial on multiple counts of wire fraud, in which he is alleged to have defrauded investors of more than USD$5 million, after a second Appeal Court sitting in Nuku'alofa has ordered him to voluntarily surrender himself into custody, in a judgment delivered on Wednesday, 14 September.