Tribunal told to impose fine on Pruaitch over late submission

By KARO JESSE
LAWYERS have recommended to a Leadership Tribunal to impose fines on Aitape-Lumi MP Patrick Pruaitch for the late submissions of his annual returns.
Pruaitch pleaded guilty earlier to the tribunal to three charges of submitting annual returns late.
The tribunal comprising Justice Panuel Mogish and two senior magistrates had earlier dismissed six charges of misconduct in office against Pruitch because they were “poorly drafted and confusing”.
Pruaitch’s lawyer Greg Sheppard of Young and William Lawyers submitted that a fine of K500 would be an appropriate penalty.
He said penalties such as dismissal from office should be reserved for more serious offences.
“We submit that a fine of K500 for each charge is most appropriate in the current circumstances” Sheppard said.
“There is no allegation of corruption, of dishonesty.
“These offences are process or compliance offences, triggered by a failure to comply with a prescribed time limit.
State prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said it was a serious matter when an MP breached a law. He said Pruaitch had failed three consecutive times to submit annual returns on time.
But he said a fine would be appropriate after considering circumstances of other leadership tribunal cases and decisions.
“The ultimate penalty of dismissal from office is not desired. Our submission is that a fine of K1,000 be impose on each offences.”
The tribunal will make a decision on Oct 15.