Maprik MP John Simon has maintained his innocence over allegations of false pretence and official corruption.
He was alleged to have paid a total of K86,050 to his two private companies, which allegedly rendered services to 2012’s election campaign.
He feels he has being unfairly trialled by the media without having been proven guilty in a competent court of law. LLG presidents and Maprik students from the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) were present to hear what their member, John Simon had to say about allegations against him.
Mr Simon assured them he is still innocent until proven guilty by the court.
Mr Simon was arrested by police last week Friday on false pretence and official corruption charges. He was alleged to have paid his own company for services during the 2012 election campaign.
He is yet to receive an official copy of the police file. These allegations, he says, are politically motivated, aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Before becoming a politician, Mr Simon was a successful businessman. He has declared this to the Ombudsman when he was elected as Member for Maprik. The police, however, proceeded with his arrest without allowing him to explain himself.
He has also sought legal advice from his lawyer to sue the Post Courier for running a headline story on the allegations against him without verifying the facts with him.
Mr Simon has also slammed Transparency International PNG for its unfair judgment. He says the matter is before the courts but he feels he has been unfairly been trialled by the media and other agencies.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=djsC6TkQ5G8%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
