Kaupa referred to Public Prosecutor over misconduct allegations

Member for Moresby North East John Kaupa has been referred to the Office of the Public Prosecutor by the Ombudsman Commission for alleged misconduct in office.

Acting Public Prosecutor Helen Roalakona in a statement, said, the subject of the referral is the leader's failure to comply with Section 27 of the constitution and sections 4 and 23 of the Organic Law on Duties and responsibilities of leadership.

She said the allegations include “false and misleading information provided to the Ombudsman Commission in annual statements for periods July 2016- July 2019 where portions of land declared were excessive compared to initial value they were purchased for.”

There was also a failure to declare business connection and position of himself and his spouse, Josephine Kaupa with business KJ General cleaning and maintenance service as owners of business in annual statements from July 2016-July 2020.

Ms. Roalakona added there are also allegations of double dipping in to motor vehicle allowance by accepting and using a vehicle owned by the National capital district commission while also receiving similar allowance as per SRC determination.

The Acting Public Prosecutor says she would he perusing the file to determine whether there is sufficient, credible and cogent evidence to request the chief justice to appoint an appropriate leadership tribunal to enquire into these allegations.