A ranking Palauan government official is facing four counts of criminal charges relating to his conduct in public office.
Ngiwal State Delegate Masasinge Arurang is facing criminal charges of Violation of the Code of Ethics: Conflict of Interest, Cheating, Conspiracy to Defraud the Republic of Palau and Misconduct in Public Office.
On December 8, 2014, Interim Special Prosecutor Robert C. Lee filed these charges against Delegate Arurang in the Supreme Court.
The charges reportedly stemmed from an incident when Arurang was the Governor for Ngiwal State.
According to court information, Delegate Arurang allegedly used his official government position as a Governor to “attempt to influence an official action to purchase a vehicle”… that could have personal material financial effect or interest to him.
The Affidavit of Probable Cause states that Arurang sought assistance from one Romeo Teliu for the purchase of a black Nissan Terrano to the Government of Ngiwal.
This vehicle, which Teliu admitted was not his, was allegedly registered to Arurang’s wife.
Court information further revealed the State Government purchased the vehicle for $7,500 with the check made out to Teliu.
Teliu admitted to receiving the payment with majority of the funds given to Arurang.
Delegate Arurang is due to appear before the Court to answer to these charges on January 14, 2015.
