TIENSTEN CONVICTED ON MISAPPROPRIATION OF K10M PAID TO TRAVEL AIR

Hon Paul Tiensten, member for Pomio and former Minister for National Planning was convicted on one count of misappropriating for his part in the K10million that was paid to Travel Air to start an airline company.

Mr. Tiensten was found guilty on one count of misappropriation by trial judge, Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, in the Waigani Supreme Court.

The transaction was made during Mr. Tiensten’s term as the Minister for National Planning and Monitoring.

This was one of the first cases Investigation Task Force Sweep investigated, when it was established by the Government in August 2011.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tiensten’s other trial concerning and amount of 3 point 4 million kina paid to Tol Port Services Limited by his department then, was concluded last month in Kokopo.

Justice Panuel Mogish, who heard the matter, deferred the decision on conviction to a later date this month.

In other related news, the National Court in Kimbe today revoked an earlier order permitting Eremas Wartoto to leave the country.

Mr. Wartoto has a number of committal and trial hearings pending in the District and National Courts, and the court ruling today prevents him from absconding jurisdiction again.