The two former Financial Officers of The Pacific Theological College who are being tried for money laundering related offences allegedly altered 70 cheques from the college that were issued for bills and salary payments.

This was revealed by the prosecution lawyer in the case who has presented 70 cheques that had names that differed from the names that were entered in the cheque butt.

Rosheen Parveen Raj and Rine Munivai Sorby are charged with 3 counts of money laundering.

It is alleged that Raj between the 1st of June 2006 to the 16th of February 2011 paid herself in excess of her normal salary or wage by falsifying documents and obtained a total sum of $96,576.86 from the Pacific Theological College bank account.

It is alleged that Sorby between the 1st of June 2006 to the 16th of February 2011, paid herself in excess of her normal salary or wage from the Westpac Bank Account by falsifying documents and obtained a total sum of $73,099.95.

It is also alleged that both Raj and Sorby between the 1st of March 2010 to the 30th of November, 2012 engaged directly or indirectly in transactions involving the same bank account, in relation to cheques of Pacific Theological College payable to various body corporates, which had the payees altered to fictitious names and by cashing the falsified cheques obtained a total sum of $412,567.61.

Raj and Sorby allegedly committed these offences whilst being employed as Financial Officers at the Pacific Theological College.

It was revealed in court that the two women had allegedly made alterations on the names written on the cheques and cashed it themselves.

As an example, the two officers had written “Fea” as the recipients of the cheque which appears on the cheque butt, however, these women had made alterations to the name Fea and wrote “Feania” instead.

The first witness in the trial, Reverend Dr Felika Nokise  today continued giving evidence where he said he had never doubted the two women during the duration of their employment.

Dr Nokise said the women had given him no reason to doubt them.

The Principal said the two former financial officers were always punctual and seemed to always have everything under control.

The trial continues before High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo.