Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates 19 May 2017: Cook Island, Fiji, PNG

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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COOK ISLANDS:
Move to seize MP's assets.  An application has been made to the Civil Division of the High Court to seize the assets of Aitutaki Village Ltd, a company owned by jailed former One Cook Islands leader and MP Teina Bishop.
http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/64419-move-to-seize-bishop-assets

FIJI:
Ex-police executive to take plea next month.  Former Police Director CID Luke Rawalai who is charged by FICAC with three counts of abuse of office and two counts of receiving a bribe will take his plea on the 15th of next month.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Former-Police-CID-Director-on-corruption-charges-to-take-plea-next-month-sk9r52/
Customs agency investigates VAT fraud by some companies.  The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority continues to discover serious non‑compliant behavior in terms of fictitious claims and non‑lodgment of VAT returns and due payments.
http://fijivillage.com/news/FRCA-investigates-VAT-Frauds-by-some-companies-r2k5s9/
Deceitful financial activities worth $60.4M reported to policelast year.  Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit Director Razim Buksh says they reported 58 cases to Police last year for investigating possible money laundering activities worth $60.4 million.
http://fijivillage.com/news/Deceitful-financial-activities-worth-604M-reported-to-police-last-year-sk592r/

PNG: 
PNG on anti-money laundering.  Papua New Guinea is determined to stay out of the Financial Action Taskforce on Money Laundering (FATT) grey list.
http://postcourier.com.pg/png-anti-money-laundering/

Thank you to the team at UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.  For more information, please contact:
Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org
Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org
Luisa Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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