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Nasinu town clerk Jaswant Kumar had dishonest intentions, he was told by High Court judge Justice Daniel Goundar, who today sentenced Kumar to 12 months in jail for abuse of office.
Kumar was found guilty and subsequently convicted by three assessors last week.
Charges were brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) over allegations that a cheque of $2344.44 meant for payment to Post Fiji was cashed.
The offence was committed on May 26, 2006.
In sentencing today Goundar said, “The public expects public office holders to conduct themselves in a transparent manner because these are public funds.
“Your intentions were dishonest. Your motive was to take the money.”
Justice Goundar said while being town clerk of Nasinu, Kumar was also managing the finances of the council but he abused this position.
He also noted that Kumar had also reimbursed $700 to the council in two payments but this was only made after the surcharge ‘not your free will’.
“The maximum penalty for such an offence is three years.”
Goundar ordered that his 12-month sentence be served immediately.
Kumar, who is represented by Rajendra Chaudhry, is married with two children.
He was charged along with former Nasinu mayor Rajeshwar Kumar who was told that he does not have a case to answer.
