News
Court Convicts Man for Assisting in Fraudulent Claims
Posted by Media Team 9 June 2026
A man has been convicted in the Suva Magistrates Court of offences prosecuted by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Nick Stark, a former driver with the RPA Group, was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud – Obtaining a Gain and one count of Aiding and Abetting – Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
The court found that between 1 March 2019 and 30 April 2019, Mr Stark conspired with his former wife, Rosalia Muavesi, a former employee of the Department of Heritage and Arts, to dishonestly obtain a gain of $660 from the Department.
During the same period, Mr Stark was found to have aided and abetted Ms Muavesi in obtaining part of the financial advantage, totaling $200.
Ms Muavesi was convicted and sentenced in 2020 to 24 months' imprisonment onfor the aforementioned charges, together with one count of Forgery.
She served 12 months in custody, with the remaining 12 months suspended for five years.
In delivering his judgment today, Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne stated that it was established that Ms Muavesi had attended a Lomaiviti Tikina meeting in Gau.
Upon her return, she sought reimbursement for expenses allegedly incurred during the trip, including $160 from the contingency fund and $500 for the purported hire of a vehicle for the island meeting.
The court heard that the vehicle used for travel in Gau belonged to the RPA Group, and that Mr Stark was employed as a driver in Suva at the time.
The Court also referred to evidence arising from Mr Stark's caution interview concerning transportation arrangements requested by Ms Muavesi.
After consulting his employer, he arranged for the vehicle to be provided at no charge.
The court found that Mr Stark was aware that the transportation had been provided free of charge and that no payment was required.
Mr Stark further admitted during his caution interview that, upon Ms Muavesi's return, she contacted him and asked him to prepare charges.
Using the receipts he prepared, Ms Muavesi fraudulently obtained funds by submitting forged ones.
Resident Magistrate Somaratne said that, based on forged receipts, Ms Muavesi obtained $484, which was deposited into her BSP Bank account.
On the same day, she transferred $200 to Mr Stark's BSP Bank account, which he admitted receiving.
The court noted that, given the parties had separated in 2019, it was difficult to accept that the transfer was routine.
Resident Magistrate Somaratne stated that the only reasonable inference was that the payment was part of the arrangement between Ms Muavesi and Mr Stark for his assistance in dishonestly obtaining funds from the Ministry by means of forged receipts.
Resident Magistrate Somaratne said he was satisfied that the prosecution had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Stark committed the offences charged.
Accordingly, Mr Stark was found guilty and convicted on both counts.
The defence has 28 days within which to file an appeal.
Mr Stark represented himself during the proceedings, while prosecuting for FICAC were Manager Legal Mr Joseph Work and Counsel Ms Shamama Khan.
