Travel Air Owner Eremas Wartoto facedthe Waigani Committal Court yesterday.
He’s been charged with two offences underthe criminal code, one conspiracy to defraudthe state andthe ther false pretense to obtain public funds.
Presiding judge Cosmas Badar read out his two alleged charges,the first being conspiring withthen planning Minister Paul Tiensten to defraudthe state.
A submission of K10milion was submitted underthe airfreight subsidy. Earmarked for subsidisingthe airfares for people living in remote areas oPNG which is serviced by existing third level airline operators and was not meant to help start up a new airline company.
The 2nd allegation was using false pretence to obtain money.
Atthe time ofthe submission Travel air was not registered underInvestment Promotion Authority.
Judge Badar saidthe allegations remain allegations until provern inthe court of law. Police will be given two months to carry out investigations. The next hearing will be onthe 23rd of July.
Judge Badar also dismissed Wartovo’surrendering his passport. Onthe grounds that Wartoto’s Australian Business Visa was already cancelled.
Mr Eremas Wartoto, surrendered to members of Task-Force Sweep on 15th May 2013 to facethe balance of charges outstanding since he leftthe country two years ago to live in Cairns Australia.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=b1QKeNIHVH4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
