PNG climate change officials accused of skimming $2 million in public funds
Exclusive by PNG correspondent Tim Swanston, Stephen Long and Theckla Gunga
Posted 15h ago
Senior staff at the government body responsible for carrying out Papua New Guinea's climate change response are facing major criminal proceedings after the alleged misappropriation of more than $2 million.
Key points:
Staff at PNG's Climate Change and Development Authority have been accused of corruption and misappropriation of public funds
Finance manager Ivan Aipi faces 35 charges, including illegally executing cheques for the benefit of his boss and associates
The ABC understands two whistleblowers raised concerns with authorities last year
Police have arrested and charged Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)'s finance manager, Ivan Aipi, after armed officers raided the authority's Port Moresby premises earlier this year, seizing computers and financial records.
Court documents also allege that Mr Aipi's wife, a court magistrate, attempted to bribe an investigating police officer, later allegedly apologising through her clerk and claiming her "husband is spoiling her reputation".
The allegations against CCDA staff include official corruption and misappropriation of public funds, and "illegally executing" cheques for the benefit of CCDA's acting managing director William Lakain and his associates.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-28/png-national-climate-change-officers-accused-of-skimming-funds/102230786
