Bale fires back at those who exposed his fraudulent tax return

[posted 27 October 2004, 12:00]

Attorney-General, Qoriniasi Bale, has lashed out officials at FIRCA who released copies of his tax-return that later was exposed in the Senate by Labour Senator, Felix Anthony.

The Attorney-General stated that the matter would be properly investigated and those responsible for leaking his tax return information would be punished.

The Attorny-General seems bent on punishing the whistle-blowers who exposed a $25,000 payment endorsed by the FIRCA Chief Executive, on a unsubstantiated adjustment made to his tax return.

He is yet to provide documentation or proof of the nature of amendments made to his return to illegally benefit him to the tune of $25,000.

The leaked documents were presented in a meeting of the Senate last month, by Senator Felix Anthony.  

Mr. Bale said that the 'irregularity' contained in his tax return could have been dealt with through internal procedures of FIRCA and seeking outside attention is a violation of privacy protections.  

His accusations of corruption within FIRCA seem laughable when he has so clearly been caught digging into government coffers for his own benefit. 

The courage and conviction of those who exposed this scam should be commended by all who want to see good governance and financial prudence prevail in Fiji.