Former Fiji citizen sentenced for stealing nearly $4.5M

A former Fiji citizen has been sentenced to four years six months imprisonment for stealing nearly $4.5 million from a transport company in New Zealand.

Sushila Devi Mosese who appeared in the Auckland District Court pleaded guilty to eight charges of dishonestly using a document when employed with Mainfreight Company eight years ago.

The court heard that the fifty-one year old was in charge of collecting outstanding invoices, and that she deposited cheques for payment into a bank account with a similar name to her employer.

Mosese also controlled a bank account that was assigned to a social club under the name of Daily Freight Ltd but with no association to Daily Freight.

Prosecutor Erin Woolley said in some situations Mosese was said to have overcharged customers to which the company had to refund.

Woolley added that $3.2 million have been recovered from the third parties after the High Court civil proceedings and settlements.

$1.2 million is still being owed by Mosese.

While sentencing the accused the Judge said Mosese was not entitled to discount due to her previous convictions in Fiji, involving theft from an employer.