Tiensten jailed with hard labour

Pomio MP Paul Tiensten was sentenced to 9 years imprisonment with hard labour this afternoon. This is one year less than the maximum sentence.

Judge Presiding the case, Justice Gibbs Salika said 4 of these years will be suspended only and until the prisoner repays the sum of K10 million, which he was found guilty of misappropriating.

This is effective as of today. The prisoner will make the repayment while serving his time at Bomana.

Justice Salika said this case stood alone on the size of the amount misapplied, K10 million.

He attributed this fact to the 11 Members of Parliament who served time between 1 to 5 years for misapplying monies worth K150 thousand and below.

Justice Salika also took into account that it was a serious offence, and that it was in breach of trust to commit this offence and a lot of money was involved.

He said he took into account the prisoners enormous contributions to the development of his electorate and the country, and also his sporting contributions as well.

However, Justice Salika said the case precedents of the Members of Parliament who were charged and convicted of misappropriation charges show that none of them misappropriated amounts of more than K150 thousand, yet they received very stiff sentences.

In November last year, the former Planning Minister and Pomio MP Paul Tiensten, was found guilty for misappropriating K10 million.

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

The K10 million was allegedly paid to Travel Air, an airline company owned by Kokopo businessman, Eremas Wartoto.

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. PNG Today/ EMTV