Heleni Vi a former Westpac Bank of Tonga employee who has been charged with 16 counts that included theft of more than $8,000 pa’anga was released on bail today after appearing at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate’s Court.

Police Prosecutor Mema Latu said the 26-year-old Vi who was deported from New Zealand on Saturday, January 18 was charged with 16 counts that included mainly theft, forgery and embezzlement.

He said the accused from Fasi was released on bail to appear on February 17.

It is understood she went to New Zealand in July last year, before the bank realised she was gone, and before they filed their complaint against her to the police on that same week.

Tonga Police issued a warrant for her arrest in New Zealand and sought the assistance of the New Zealand Police and Immigration to locate her and as a result she was deported to Tonga, he said.