Woman on trial admits to misuse of over K46,000

By CLARISSA MOI
A PUBLIC money collector who was committed to stand trial in the National Court for allegedly misusing more than K46,000 in public funds two years ago has admitted to committing the offence.
Emily Morea, 61, of Mukawa village in Alotau, Milne Bay, was alleged to have, between Dec 19 and 24, 2019, from 9am to 5pm, dishonestly applied to her own use K46,800 belonging to the Department of Finance.
Morea in her declaration statement at the Waigani Committal Court yesterday admitted that she had committed the offence which she regretted.
She appealed to the court that she was a first time offender and that she had repaid half of the money.
Magistrate Paul Nii committed her to stand trial at the National Court and adjourned the matter before the listings court on Jan 24.
The Waigani Committal Court had found sufficient evidence against Morea last month and had committed her.
Morea was employed by the Finance Department as a public money collector based at the Boroko police station.
She allegedly collected K46,800 on the dates mentioned from the public for the Finance Department.
She did not rerun the money but instead gave it to a group called Private Placement Programme (PPP).
The group then promised to pay back the money before the end of December 2019 but did not.
Morea admitted her guilt in her record of interview and statement with the police.
Morea said in August of 2020, she refunded K14,600 and another K5,600 in June of that year for a total repayment to K20,200 so far.
She now has a balance of K26,600 outstanding to be paid back.
“Defendant’s version of statement and record of interview corroborates with the witness statements about the allegation,” Magistrate Nii said.