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Press Release ONPA Assist the FSM Department of Justice in the Chuuk Court Trial Staff from the Office of National Public Auditor's Office played a key role in the recent criminal court that was heard in Chuuk from March 06 to April 05, 2006.The trial involved charges ranging from theft to conspiracy to defraud the National Government. It was alleged that more than half a million dollars in National Government funds had been diverted and improperly obligated or been the subject of a conspiracy to improperly obligate. The defendants involved include prominent citizens including former and current Congressmen, government employees and private business people. Investigative Auditors Sophia Pretrick and Fletcher Poll , along with Audit Supervisor Omar E. Njie , assisted the litigation staff of the FSM Department of Justice in the investigation and prosecution of the case. The one-month trial heard evidence from over fourteen Government witnesses. One defendant came forward and entered a plea of guilty during the trial. This defendant was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment and was ordered to pay restitution. A further four defendants were convicted of felony charges for the conspiracy count on the evidence before the Court. Sentencing for these four defendants is scheduled for the end of June. Two of the defendants were severed from the case and their trial is now pending the appointment of a Special Prosecutor. |
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