Crime
Seven arrests during New Year period
Tuesday 5 January 2010 | Published in Crime
Police are generally pleased with how the New Year period went despite arresting seven people. A 25-year-old male from Arorangi was found to be driving while disqualified last Friday morning – January 1- during a traffic blitz in front of Empire Theatre. He was bailed and will appear in court on January 14. A 37-year-old […]
Audit investigation process questioned
Tuesday 17 November 2009 | Published in Crime
The way in which an audit investigation was carried out into alleged misuse of public funds by the Cook Islands Investment Corporation’s chief executive, was questioned in court yesterday. Suspended CEO John Tini applied for an interim injunction order to be granted by the court to compel the attorney general Sir Terepai Maoate and the […]
Land workshops to create awareness
Monday 16 November 2009 | Published in Crime
The land court community workshops which start today will be purely educational, and not a place to settle disputes. Justice secretary Mark Short says the first part of the workshops will involve presentations by land division staff, and this will be followed by a question-and-answer session. Application forms will be available to those at the […]
Areai-Enoka's religious beliefs questioned
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Tuesday 25: Lawyer for one of the accused in the Operation Slush trial questioned Junior Areai-Enoka about his religious beliefs last week. Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui are facing conspiracy and corruption charges brought against them by Crown Law. Chris Vaile’s defence counsel, Tim Arnold asked him about a reference in the witness’s […]
Witness accused of abusing privileges
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Friday 21: The issue of safety gear was again discussed during the Operation Slush trial as questioning of Junior Areai-Enoka continued on Wednesday. Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui are at present facing a raft of dishonesty charges. The witness confirmed a purchase order of safety gear for Aitutaki asbestos cleaning on October 22, […]
Accused drills defendant over purchase detail
Wednesday 26 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Thursday 20: Accused Norman George continued questioning Junior Areai-Enoka on day 11 (Wednesday) of the Operation Slush Trial. The key witness had previously alluded to the court how George was involved with him in purchasing safety gear for the road and quarry operators in the outer island and the asbestos cleaning programme in 2002. The […]
Witness says refund was for 'political party slush fund'
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Thursday 13: A key witness in the Operation Slush court trial told the court how he and an accused planned to deceive the government of thousands of dollars. Junior Areai-Enoka returned to the stand on Tuesday to testify in the trial in which Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui face numerous corruption and conspiracy […]
Witness says he was acting on defendant's instructions
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Wednesday 19: A key witness in the Operation Slush case was again accused of lying after facing heavy scrutiny during questioning. Junior Areai-Enoka retuned to the stand on Monday as lawyer Norman George continued his cross-examination. George along with Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui are facing numerous conspiracy and corruption charges in the final week […]
Credibility of key witness questioned
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Wednesday 19: Norman George began his cross-examination last week on the man whose testimony accuses him of joint conspiracy and corruption. Junior Areai-Enoka was questioned by George who alongside Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui is facing numerous dishonesty charges in the Operation Slush trial. On Thursday before questioning, George stood up and addressed the court […]
Tepaki's debt repayment extended
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Friday 14: Developer Tepaki Tepaki has been given four months to repay a debt or risk his company being put into liquidation. Last September, New Zealand architect company Peddle Thorp & Montgomery won a civil suit against Tepaki 1 Holdings Ltd and Tepaki Group for unpaid fees of $124,000. Tepaki failed to make repayments and […]
Witness admits lying for protection
Wednesday 19 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Friday 14: Crown prosecution continued to question their key witness in the Operation Slush trial on Wednesday with evidence gi-ven of more conspiracy and corruption. Junior Areai-Enoka was still being questioned in the case involving Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui. The witness had previously said in the stand that a bank account was […]
Former Finsec gives evidence in trial
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Wednesday 12: Former secretary of finance and economic management Kevin Carr was re-examined during the Operation Slush trial on Monday. The case alleges a number of conspiracy and corruption charges against Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui and is at present being heard in the Cook Islands High Court. Carr took to the stand […]
Former mayor explains crusher situation
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Tuesday 11: Former mayor of Mangaia testified during the Operation Slush case on Friday. Taata Tangatakino was called as a witness for the trial involving Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui. All three defendants are facing numerous conspiracy and corruption charges in the Cook Islands High Court. Prosecution allege there was a conspiracy along […]
Court overturns decision on Makea land
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Tuesday 11: The court of appeal has allowed an appeal by members of the Makea family, against a decision made in the land court last year. In April 2008 Justice Heta Hingston determined in favour of June Baudinet relating to an application to correct or annul an order on investigation of title made in the […]
Star witness called
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Tuesday 11: The star witness for the prosecution in the Operation Slush case has finally taken to the stand. Junior Areai-Enoka began giving his evidence in the high court in Avarua yesterday afternoon. Areai-Enoka is the key witness involved in all seven transactions that have led to conspiracy and corruption charges being laid against Norman […]
MPs give evidence in Operation Slush trial
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Saturday 8: AitUtaki witnesses took to the stand for the third day of the resumed Operation Slush trial on Thursday. Lawyer Norman George, businessman Chris Vaile and former Atiu island secretary Charles Koronui are currently facing numerous conspiracy and corruption charges. Members of parliament Kete Ioane and Teina Bishop and former head of ministry of […]
Political jealousy described in trial
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Friday 7: Three further witnesses were called by prosecution to testify on Wednesday during the Operation Slush trial. Lawyer Norman George, businessman Chris Vaile and former Atiu Island secretary Chris Koronui are all facing charges of conspiracy and corruption in the High Court. Vaine Teokotai, former chief executive of Norman George’s then deputy prime minister […]
Defence challenged over DVD screening
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Thursday 6: Defence counsel in the Operation Slush trial did not inform prosecution that a DVD would be screened to a witness. Tereapii Porio, former infrastructure manager for Atiu, testified in the Cook Islands High Court yesterday. Lawyer for Vaile, Tim Arnold, organised a mobile DVD player in the ministry of justice office to screen […]
Operation Slush trial resumes
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Thursday 6: The country’s biggest court case re-started on Monday with two of the defendants representing themselves. Dubbed ‘Operation Slush’, the trial has been running since October last year. Lawyer Norman George, Chris Vaile and Charles Koronui face of raft conspiracy and corruption charges spanning 1999 to 2002. Appearing before Justice Colin Nicholson this week, […]
Teacher makes bad call
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Crime
Thursday 30: A Tereora College teacher has admitted to testing for excess breath alcohol after crashing his car at Tupapa earlier this month. Delaney Yaqona pleaded guilty to a charge of returning a result of 480mcg/l – the legal limit is 400mcg/l, after being tested by police on July 19. Yaqona apologised to the court […]