Lawyer appears in court for $170K theft

Nadi lawyer, Unaisi Kanakarawa Baleilevuka, who allegedly stole accident compensation money of $170,000 was yesterday bailed by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court. The accused owns the law firm, Baleilevuka and Associates. She is charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage for allegedly stealing compensation awarded to a seven-year-old victim of a motor vehicle accident. She appeared before Magistrate Shelyn Kiran. The court heard that on July 30, 2017, the child was a passenger in a vehicle which was involved in a fatal accident along the Queens Highway, which claimed the life of a 30-year-old woman. Following the accident, the head of the learning institution where both accident victims had been attending, decided to pursue civil action against the driver of the fatal accident, whereby the 36-year-old accused was enlisted to pursue legal action. As the victim was a foreign student, she was medically evacuated and was being looked after by her family, and as such the manager of the learning institution was granted power of attorney. On the November 27, 2017, the accused filed a Writ of Summons at the High Court in Lautoka on behalf of the victim, and in April 2018, the matter was fixed for trial in April 2019. Subsequent court proceedings then resulted in an agreed settlement of $170,000. During April 2019, a Notice of Discontinuance was filed by the accused at the Lautoka Civil High Court, and thereafter the matter was called for the review for settlement and an Order of Discontinuance was issued. The matter was dismissed, and a bank transfer of $170,000 was made to a trust account belonging to the accused person’s law firm. However, it is alleged that the accused had continued to advise the victim’s power of attorney and school executive that the matter was still pending in court. In late June 2022, the accused allegedly informed the victim’s party that a hearing date was set for a date in September and when they checked, the said date fell on a Saturday. This prompted the party representing the victim to check with the Court Registry where they were informed that the matter had been dismissed as both parties had agreed to an out of court settlement. The matter was then reported to Police and investigations conducted by officers from the Criminal Investigations Department headquarters. Prosecution was represented by Corporal Vishal Sharan and her defence lawyer was represented by Amini Turuva. Magistrate Kiran has granted $2000 bond bail with two sureties and imposed a stop departure order. The case has been adjourned to next February 7, at the Nadi Magistrate Court. Story by: mereleki.nai@fijisun.com.fj

Link to the original story: https://fijisun.com.fj/2023/11/07/lawyer-appears-in-court-for-alleged-170k-theft/