Cook Islands Former Deputy Prime Minister Robert Tapaitau to Appeal Fraud Conviction and Sentence

Former Cook Islands Deputy Prime Minister, Robert Tapaitau, is set to appeal his conviction and sentence for financial fraud charges. The appeal hearing is scheduled for July 4, according to a report by the Cook Islands News.

Conviction and Sentencing

• Tapaitau was convicted alongside Ngatokorua Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna for taking $70,000 in public funds between April 2019 and March 2021.
• Tapaitau faced three charges of using a document to obtain pecuniary advantage and one charge of conspiracy to defraud in the case.
• Chief Justice Patrick Keane ruled that Tapaitau was convicted of “all or most” of the offenses.
• Tapaitau was first suspended from Parliament in 2022 when the charges were laid but was later reinstated by Prime Minister Mark Brown.
• He was successfully re-elected as Tongareva MP before being suspended during his trial in July 2023.

Following the conviction, a by-election was held in March for the vacant Penryva Island seat, which was won by Sarakura Tapaitau, the former prime minister’s wife. Albert Nicholas was appointed as the Cook Islands’ deputy prime minister.

Sentence Appeal

• Tapaitau was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison.
• His appeal will challenge the sentence, which was handed down a month ago.
• The appeal hearing is scheduled for July 4, according to the Cook Islands News report.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.