Cook Islands: Ex-Deputy Prime Minister and Two Others Sentenced for Financial Fraud

According to New Zealand’s RNZ Pacific, the Cook Islands has seen three government officials sentenced for various fraud charges. The individuals involved are:

• Robert Tapaitau, former deputy prime minister
• Nga Puna, former director of the National Environment Service
• Diane Charlie-Puna, ex-secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands

Robert Tapaitau’s Sentencing

Robert Tapaitau, who previously represented the Penrhyn constituency, was sentenced to a term of two years and nine months in prison ¹. He stood accused of:

• Three charges of using documents to obtain financial advantages
• One charge of conspiracy to defraud

The charges against Tapaitau were established in a verdict delivered by Chief Justice Patrick Keane ². The chief justice affirmed that Tapaitau had been found guilty of “all or most” offenses. A by-election was organized to fill Tapaitau’s seat following his conviction, and his wife, Sarakura Tapaitau, emerged victorious.

Sentencings of Nga Puna and Diane Charlie-Puna

• Nga Puna, former director of the National Environment Service, received a five-year sentence, according to The Cook Islands News ³.
• Diane Charlie-Puna, the ex-secretary of Infrastructure Cook Islands, was jailed for 18 months.

Previous Financial Scandals

The latest sentencing adds to the Cook Islands’ ongoing attempt to address financial scandals within its government. The island nation has grappled with transparency and accountability concerns.