Yeah here we go again......... In the Cook Islands News this week. Bribery investigation underway Thursday 1 Aug Police Commissioner Maara Tetava confirmed yesterday a government official is the subject of a police investigation into alleged bribery and corruption. The investigation was begun after the receipt of an official complaint by an unidentified source. “Right now it’s an allegation,” said Tetava. “Once we have evidence that reaches the evidential threshold for criminal charges to be laid, we will do so. If not, the investigation will be discontinued.” “It’s going to be a complex investigation,” he added. Tetava would not name the individual(s) who are the subject of the investigation or the complaint, saying at this point he “can’t confirm or deny specifics”, however, a source with exclusive information on the matter has identified Marine Resources Minister Teina Bishop as the point of focus. At the heart of the investigation is section 113 of the 1969 Crimes Act, which relates to “corruption and bribery of minister of the Crown”. Section 113 reads, “Every minister of the Crown or member of the Executive Council is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years who corruptly accepts or obtains, or agrees or offers to accept or attempts to obtain, any bribe for himself or any other person in respect of any act done or omitted, or to be done or omitted, by him in his capacity as a minister or member of the Executive Council.” Bishop has recently been the subject of corruption allegations in relation to the purchase, sale, and trading of two fishing boats, the Orongo and the Bounty, and the eventual issuance of a fishing license to foreign fishing company Huanan Fishery (Cook Islands) Company, a subsidiary of Luen Thai Fishing Venture. To date, no link has been made between these events and yesterday’s announcement by commissioner Tetava. Also under section 113, a maximum prison term of seven years is applicable to every one who “corruptly gives or offers or agrees to give any bribe to any person with intent to influence any minister of the Crown or member of the Executive Council in respect of any Act or omission by him in his capacity as a minister or member of the Executive Council”. Tetava said the investigation is currently being conducted by members of the Cook Islands police force, but if outside expertise is required they will consult authorities overseas. No timeline was given for the investigation.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 19:17:34 +0000
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