Court clears former councillor of misappropriation charges

Veata Patana, a former village councillor (Image: Supplied)

Former Mahuru village councillor, Veata Patana, has been acquitted by the National Court on all charges of misappropriation and fraud relating to the use of Motu Koita Assembly funds.

Justice Berrigan delivered the decision on September 5, 2025, ruling that there was no evidence of fraudulent intent by Patana, who had been facing four charges since 2023.

Patana, who served as councillor for Mahuru between 2018 and June 2025, was accused of misappropriating K18,002.88 from MKA accounts, conspiring to defraud the assembly, and knowingly submitting a false loan application to Moni Plus for K100,000.

The court heard that Patana had an existing loan arrangement with Moni Plus, which was fully aware of his monthly allowances as a sitting MKA member. From the loan he obtained, only K38,466.02 was disbursed after refinancing an earlier balance of K61,533.98.

Evidence revealed that two payments of K6,001.44 and K12,001.44 were made from Mahuru electorate Public Infrastructure Project [PIP] funds towards Patana’s loan. However, the court found these were likely administrative errors within the MKA finance section, approved at the time by the assembly’s finance controller.

It was also noted that during the same period, at least five other MKA members had similar personal loan repayments made from their respective electorate funds.

Justice Berrigan ruled that the evidence did not support claims of conspiracy or fraud, acquitting Patana of all charges.

Speaking after the decision, Patana said the verdict had restored his dignity after three years of stigma and hardship.

“Since October 2022, I carried the heavy burden of being treated as guilty before the court had even heard my case. The accusations damaged my reputation, cost me my role as councillor, and deeply affected my family. I am relieved and grateful that the court has confirmed my innocence,” he said.

Although no longer a councillor, Patana said he remained committed to serving his family and community with integrity.