A FORMER senior employee of the Ministry of Forestry Nicholas Teveko yesterday admitted converting $16,174.78 of public funds for his own benefit.
The amount was for payments of overtime and allowances for surveyors who went and surveyed tick trees in the Shortland Islands in Western Province.
Teveko pleaded guilty to the six counts of conversion charge when he appeared in the Magistrates court.
The court was told instead of sharing the payments to the surveyors, Teveko converted the money for his own use between the dates of May in 2003 and April 2004.
He was previously charged with seven counts which he denied last year but later entered guilty pleas yesterday.
The seventh count was withdrawn as the Prosecution said there was no victim in the case.
Martha Manaka from the Public Solicitor’s Office who represented the accused sought a one day adjournment to prepare mitigation.
Principal Magistrate Steve Wilson adjourned the matter for today.
By ASSUMPTA PIVA
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