Former Fiji Rugby Union Financial Accountant, Pawan Deo, and his wife, Subhashni Mudaliar, pleaded not guilty to two counts of charges brought forth by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) at the Suva Magistrate Court this morning.
The couple appeared before Magistrate Krishan Prasad and formally entered the plea of not guilty against the charge.
Deo and Mudaliar are jointly charged with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud – Obtaining A Gain and one (1) count of Obtaining Financial Advantage.
It is alleged that between 1 February 2022 and 31 July 2022, in the Central Division, Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar whilst being the proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited and whilst Pawan Deo was the Financial Accountant of the Fiji Rugby Union conspired with one another with the intention of dishonestly obtaining a gain of FJD $53,788.75 from the Fiji Rugby Union.
It is further alleged that between 1 February 2022 and 31 July 2022, in the Central Division, Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar whilst being the proprietors of Sports Supplies Limited and whilst Pawan Deo was the Financial Accountant of the Fiji Rugby Union fraudulently facilitated payments to Sports Supplies Limited and as a result of that conduct obtained a financial advantage in the sum of FJD $7,291.83 for Sports Supplies Limited knowing that the company was not eligible to receive that financial advantage.
The prosecution, represented by FICAC Counsel Ravinesh Lal, confirmed to the court that full disclosures has been served to the two accused persons, Pawan Deo and Subhashni Mudaliar, on November 26, 2024.
Counsel for Deo and Mudaliar informed the court of their intention to write legal representation to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) seeking a reconsideration of the charges,
The matter was subsequently adjourned to 28 February 28, 2025, at 2.30pm for a mention to confirm the representation made to FICAC.