A man who used to work for the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa’s television network, E.F.K.S TV, has pleaded guilty to forging the signature of the General Secretary of the church, Reverend Elder Dr. Iutisone Salevao.
The signature was apparently forged on a local bank cheque in a series of incidents where a total of $15,000 was removed.
Semester Falefatu appeared before the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu, on Monday.
Falefatu, according to information presented in Court, initially faced six charges.
The Prosecutor, Precious Chang, however, withdrew two of those charges.
Falefatu was then asked if he needed a lawyer to represent him.
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He said no, indicating that he was ready to enter his plea.
With two of six charges withdrawn, Falefatu then pleaded guilty to four counts of forgery and two counts of theft.
The four counts of forgery included two incidents during which he forged the signature of Rev. Salevao as well as another senior Pastor of the Church.
The theft charges involve the amounts of $700 and $800 he took while he was working at the TV network.
The matter has been adjourned to 18 August 2014.
It has been referred to the court of Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.
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