Former school manager convicted over $3,700 school grant funds

A former school manager has been found guilty of unlawfully obtaining a financial advantage after failing to properly account for thousands of dollars withdrawn from a school's Free Education Grant account.

Former Nakorotubu District School manager Kelevi Salauca was convicted by the Tavua Magistrates Court on one count of obtaining a financial advantage.

Resident Magistrate Timoci Qalinauci delivered the verdict earlier this week, ruling that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The case centred on four cheques worth a total of $3,700 that were withdrawn from the school's Free Education Grant account between December 1 and 31, 2017.

During the trial, FICAC told the court that Salauca failed to follow the proper procedures required before money could be withdrawn from the grant account. This included not obtaining prior approval from the School Management Committee before making the withdrawals.

The court accepted that a separate fifth cheque had been used to buy a new brush cutter and repair another one owned by the school.

However, the court found that Salauca could not provide receipts or other records to explain how the remaining funds had been spent.

Magistrate Qalinauci also ruled that Salauca failed to give a satisfactory explanation for the unaccounted money, leading to his conviction.

Sentencing has been set for July 22.

Salauca has 28 days from the date of the judgment to lodge an appeal against his conviction.

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