By Scott Waide – EMTV News, Lae
Lae Police Fraud Squad have arrested four workers from the Lae City Council for the theft of more than K700,000.
Lae Metropolitan Superintendent, Anthony Wagambie said investigators have found credible evidence enough to charge four employees. Three are cashiers and one is the accountant.
The two male cashiers has been charged with misappropriation, abuse of office and false pretense for the amounts of K11,897.44 and K20,029.62 respectively. One of the man also had a separate charge for the misappropriation of K349,593.
A female cashier has had multiple charges laid for the misappropriation of funds totaling K348,000. A Lae City Council accountant has also been charged with four counts of misappropriation.
“I have been briefed by the Fraud Squad that they are also awaiting documentary evidence from the Morobe Provincial Administration Audit Office. This has been delaying further arrests,” Mr. Wagambie said. “Police have done all the ground work, only awaiting the Provincial Administration. I call on the Acting Provincial Administrator to ensure that there is cooperation so that this investigation can run smoothly.”
The arrests have happened in a space of two months.
