Cop and Ex-Banker Duo Face Over $230k Money Laundering Charges
Sofia Khan, 31, a former reconciliation officer at the ANZ Bank, is charged with eight counts of fraudulent falsification of accounts and eight counts of money laundering.
Friday 07 June 2024 | 09:51
Former bank reconciliation officer Sofia Khan (in black), and Police officer Jean Baleinabuli outside the Suva Magistrate’s Court on June 6, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
A police officer and a former bank officer charged with laundering over $230,000 appeared at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The pair, who were in a de-facto relationship, appeared before Magistrate Pulekeria Low.
Jean Baleinabuli, 33, is charged with 20 counts of money laundering.
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Sofia Khan, 31, a former reconciliation officer at the ANZ Bank, is charged with eight counts of fraudulent falsification of accounts and eight counts of money laundering.
They were bailed under strict conditions on a $5000 non-cash bail bond.
Allegations
It is alleged that between May 2, 2022, and February 13, 2023, Khan stole $233,230.27 from ANZ and laundered it to Baleinabuli’s ANZ account.
It is also alleged that they used the money to build and upgrade two houses in Nausori.
Bail
The State prosecution did not oppose their bail application, but they were each required to provide two sureties and adhere to strict conditions.
These conditions required the individual to refrain from committing any further offences while on bail, avoid interfering with any prosecution witnesses, and hand over both passports to the court registry before departing the premises.
Magistrate Low has set a deadline for the prosecution to file and serve full disclosures by June 27.
The substantive matter has been adjourned to July 18, for a plea hearing.
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