Potape cleared of fraud allegations

PARLIAMENTARIAN Francis Potape is a relieved man after being cleared of fraud allegations made against him.
Potape, the member for Komo-Margarima, had been sought by police for questioning over the fraud
allegations.
He turned up at the Ko­nedobu Police Fraud and Anti-Corruption unit on Monday and underwent an intensive interview.
He was cleared after police investigators were satisfied with his explanations.
Potape said the police interview was not a political witch-hunt but a normal police investigation based on reports.
He said the reports were also based on financial statements obtained from the bank which was reported to the department of Finance and Treasury two years ago.
He said the allegation was based on some funds reimbursed to him by the district finance after he
had used his personal funds to pay for some projects which had no funds.
During the interview, he gave the police all the treasury documents obtained from Mendi in regards to the payments made to him.
Potape assured his people of Komo-Margarima that he would continue to provide them a steady leadership.
He also clarified that he had not been evading police over the allegations.
He said he had co-operated with the fraud squad officers from the start and now they had cleared his name.
“I’m now relieved that I’ve cleared my name and my reputation and, therefore, I’m as usual prepared to serve my people,’’ he said.
“I’m a national leader and I do not want to tarnish my reputation and be tainted with any forms of corruption.”