The Anti-Corruption High Court of Suva this morning has found SODELPA Member of Parliament, Tui Namosi Ratu Suliano Matanitobua guilty of corruption charges involving more than $38,000.

He is now convicted for the charges of giving false information about his permanent residential address to the Parliament of Fiji and obtaining financial advantage of $38,378.22 as reimbursement for claims from the Parliament.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged Ratu Suliano Matanitobua with one count of false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining financial advantage.

The Anti-Corruption High Court found that the MP breached the Parliamentary Remuneration Act of 2014 when he claimed travel and accommodation allowances he was not entitled to.

The complaints were brought by the former Parliament Secretary-General, Viniana Namosimalua.

Matanitobua falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Namosi village, Namosi, and allegedly obtained $38,378.22 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Justice Thushara Kumarage delivered his judgment via Skype to a courtroom filled with Tui Namosi’s supporters, family and friends.

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