Lorengau mayor charged with fraud

Mayor for Lorengau town in Manus Ruth Mandrakamu has been arrested and charged with false pretence and misappropriation.
Mandrakamu, 57, from Harengan Island, Lorengau, is the third official to be arrested in a week.
Pomotu-Adrehet-Kuriti-Andra LLG president Edward Yohange and Bisakani-Soparibeu LLG president Lukes Hisamou were arrested last Thursday.
The arrests came after an investigation by the police fraud squad from Port Moresby.
Acting provincial police commander Senior Inspector David Yapu said the Manus district treasury had drawn out cheques to 12 LLG presidents for them to purchase academic prizes for schools in their LLGs for the end of last year.
Yapu said the money was allegedly deposited into their personal bank accounts but was not used for its intended purpose of buying prizes for students.
Reports alleged that the LLG presidents, including the three charged already, all benefited from the funds.
Yapu said the matter was reported to the Anti Fraud and Corruption Directorate in Port Moresby and a team was sent to Manus to investigate the allegation, which resulted in the arrest of the two LLG presidents and the town mayor.
He said the mayor was released on a K2000 bail and was expected to appear at the Lorengau District Court today.