A former Tobaco Control Unit Officer charged with one count of falsification of documents and two counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception was handed a suspended sentence by the Labasa Magistrates Court, yesterday.

Asivurusi Taganeredina, 32, was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 36 months.

Taganeredina was also ordered to pay a fine of $2800 within 90 days, with a default period of 90 days imprisonment.

Magistrate Thushara Thennakoon warned him that if he reoffends during his sentence period, than he would be jailed for a term of six months.

Taganeredina had pleaded guilty to all three counts.

It was alleged that on April 4, 2012, Taganeredina dishonestly falsified a quotation for Bula Re Snack Bar and submitted the quotation in the name of Veilomani Club that were part of a project proposal namely ‘Tobacco Control Enforcement Unit-Northern Division Tobacco Settings Declaration 2012’.

He obtained a financial advantage of $2295.

Then in the same year between April 4 to May 8, he also falsified a quotation from Total Fiji Limited for $484.

He was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

Magistrate Thennakoon told the court that falsifying documents is a serious offence and is generally classified as a felony.

He then told the accused that being a Government servant, he had breached the trust and misled the state.

He further explained that public servants are expected to serve the public with integrity and honesty.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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