Three men have been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of five counts of money laundering while employed at iTaukei Land Trust Board (TLTB).

Josefa Saqanavere, Tuimoala Raoga and Savenaca Batibawa were found guilty for laundering a total sum of $638,902.26 from the TLTB in 2012.

The three appeared before Justice Salesi Temo at Suva High Court yesterday.

They were convicted for five counts of money laundering contrary to section 69 (2) (a) and (3)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1997 as amended by Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 7 of 2005 and Proceeds of Crime (Amendment ) Decree 61 of 2012.

Justice Temo said: “Saqanavere and the distribution clerk tampered with the TLTB Land soft computer system data and created numerous TLTB fraudulent cheques to ensure the theft of $329,777.76 of iTaukei landowners’ lease money.”

“Batibawa provided his brother’s two ANZ and BSP bank accounts to store the above stolen money.

Justice Temo said the three accused withdrew the money and used on themselves.

“A total of $638,902.26 worth of iTaukei landowners’ lease money was stolen and laundered by the accused. Not a single cent has been recovered,” he said.

“You all acted together as a group, aided by (the) distribution clerk to steal a total of $638,902.26 of lease money from iTaukei landowners,” Justice Temo said.