In an unprecedented sentence handed today by the Suva High Court, former Permanent Secretary for Works, Anasa Vocea has been handed a partial custodial sentence of two years after he pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraudulent conversion yesterday.

High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar sentenced Vocea to two years imprisonment however has ordered that Vocea is to serve the first six months of his sentence in custody where he is to remain in prison from 8am to 4pm everyday on weekdays under the supervision of Prison officials but in the weekends and on public holidays, Vocea is allowed to stay at home.

Judge Goundar also ordered that the next 18 months of Vocea's sentence is suspended for two years and he is to pay $1000 in court costs.

Justice Goundar said he took into account the mitigating factors such as Vocea's guilty plea as well as the fact that he had repaid $100,000 and $56, 850 when he heard that FICAC was investigating him.

However, Justice Goundar condemned the actions saying that Vocea held a position of power and authority and abused the power by converting the money that should have been handed back to the Government.

Justice Goundar then said that Vocea's fall from grace was punishment enough however such actions would not be taken lightly as public trust had been breached.
 
Yesterday, Vocea pleaded guilty to seven counts of fraudulent conversion for converting the Director's fees he received as a member of the Pacific Forum Line board which was to be paid to the Ministry of Finance.

The total amount collected was $130,266 and Vocea converted the money for his own use.

Vocea will start his six months partial custodial sentence on the first of next month.


Story by: Paradise Tabucala