Former Information and Public Relations Officer at the Prime Minister’s Office Rudra Maharaj who was convicted of one count of bribery has been sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment and fined $2,000.
Maharaj accepted an advantage of $2,000 cash and two cheques amounting to $10,000 from the Director of Fijiana Builders, Avin Prakash in 2012.
While sentencing Maharaj this morning, High Court Judge Justice Priyantha Fernando said that what Maharaj did was a serious breach of trust as a civil servant.
Justice Fernando says Maharaj played the leading role in soliciting the bribe.
The 55-year-old is only eligible for parole after three years.
He has 30 days to appeal.
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