Former Planning Minister and Pomio MP Paul Tiensten, has been found guilty for misappropriating Ten Million kina.
Mr. Tiensten was found guilty on one count of misappropriation by trial judge, Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, inthe Waigani Supreme Court.
The ten million kina was allegedly paid to Travel Air, an airline company owned by Kokopo businessman, Eremas Wartoto.
The transaction was made during Mr. Tiensten’s term asthe Minister for National Planning and Monitoring.
This was one ofthe first casesInvestigation Task Force Sweep investigated, when it was established bythe Government in August 2011.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tiensten’s ther trial concerning and amount of 3 point 4 million kina paid to Tol Port Services Limited by his departmentthen, was concluded last month in Kokopo.
Justice Panuel Mogish, who heardthe matter, deferredthe decision on conviction to a later date this month.
Mr. Wartoto has a number of committal and trial hearings pending inthe District and National Courts, andthe court ruling today prevents him from absconding jurisdiction again.
