Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A former employee of GHC Reid & Co, Ltd, Talitiga Dave Matagi will appear in the High Court on Monday on an embezzlement charge for an incident that began back in 2018 after close to $50,000 was discovered missing in 2020.
The defendant appeared in the District Court this week. He is facing charges of aiding and abetting another to steal; stealing; aiding and abetting another to embezzle, and embezzlement.
Matagi is held on bail of $30,000. Co-defendants in the case are Benita Hunkin and Ropati Naseri.
According to the government’s case in June 2020 an official from GHC Reid lodged a complaint with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Mr. Latu Kupu informed police that an internal investigation by the company revealed that between September 2018 and July 2020, three staff members of the GHC Reid engaged in unauthorized sale of the company’s stock.
According to Samoa News archives, it’s alleged Hunkin re-issued phantom items from the warehouse without the items having been physically returned. Also, Hunkin falsely noted returns on the invoices from September 2018 to July 2019 but these items were never returned to the warehouse.
On or about May 29, 2019, an audit conducted by the warehouse manager revealed that the inventory on hand did not balance out with the reported inventory, triggering a more in-depth investigation into past months’ reported inventory and actual stock.
In September 2018, vending receipts and warehouse inventory showed stock checked out, but there were, however, no reports showing money collected or vendor reports (who got the stock).
Between September and December 2018, Hunkin was the only employee at GHC Reid to count the money from the vending machines. Between the same period, Hunkin collected from the vending machines on a daily basis without providing any reports of the collections.
During the months of September through December 2018, GHC Reid vending machine loss of product and money totaled $45,748.50.
On June 4, 2019, GHC Reid General Manager and Sales Manager interviewed Matagi about the account discrepancies. Matagi allegedly admitted to the fraudulent activities. He further stated that fraud was undertaken by himself, Naseri and Ms. Hunkin.
Matagi further alleged to the company’s managers that Ms. Hunkin was the mastermind behind the scheme.
The following day, June 5, Hunkin was interviewed by three senior officials of GHC Reid regarding the account discrepancies.
At first, Hunkin allegedly denied any wrongdoing, however, during a joint interview with Hunkin and Matagi, along with managers of the GHC Reid regarding this matter, Hunkin allegedly admitted selling a few sodas to a few stores but denied any further wrongdoing.
During another interview with Hunkin, she also admitted to submitting statements accounting for returned stock without the required documentation per GHC Reid inventory controls. Hunkin further stated she knew the proper procedures.
The stock reports filed by Hunkin under her exclusive control show she manipulated the stock reported from the actual physical stock.
According to the criminal complaint, between September 2018 and December 2018, GHC Reid vending machines loss of product and money totaled $45,748.50.
“Matagi admitted to all of the … fraudulent activities."
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