19 Feb 2003

Samoan policeman found guilty of theft, forgery and corruption

8:33 am on 19 February 2003

A court in Samoa has found a senior police sergeant, Finau Elisaia, guilty of theft, forgery and corruption.

The officer was convicted of stealing just under 2-thousand US dollars which was confiscated from a suspect held on drug charges.

In delivering his decision, Judge Vui Clarence Nelson said the case was unique as it was rare for a police officer in Samoa to be taken to court.

Sentencing will be in early March.