Below is the sixty-eigth part of the serialized edited version of the National Provident Fund Commission of Inquiry Final Report that first appeared in the Post Courier newspaper in 2002/3.
This conclusively showed that Mr O’Neill had definitely benefitted from the proceeds of the NPF Tower fraud.
NPF Final Report
This is the 68th extract from the National Provident Fund (now known as NASFUND) Commission of Inquiry report. The inquiry was conducted by retired justice Tos Barnett and investigated widespread misuse of member funds. The report recommended action be taken against several high-profile leaders, including former NPF chairman Jimmy Maladina. The report was tabled in Parliament on November 20 by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
Executive Summary: Schedule 6 Continued
(b) The K250,000 paid to Bank of Hawaii was for the benefit of South Super Stores Limited and both Peter O’Neill and Nathaniel Poiya received a direct benefit as this payment reduced their direct personal liability under their respective guarantees given to Imak International Limited;
(c) The K60,000 came from Carter Newell and was credited to this Ledger 18. The evidence of Mr Barker regarding that money was false and knowingly false. It is recommended that if Mr Barker ever returns to PNG he should be referred to the Commissioner for Police with a view to his being charged with perjury under the Commissions of Inquiry Act;
(d) The K60,000 paid into Ledger 18 from Carter Newell was part of the proceeds of the Waigani Land fraud. It was later combined with other moneys to enable Mr O’Neill’s children’s company LBJ Investments (see paragraph 12.4.20.9) to buy Remington Ltd from Baradeen Holdings.
Mr O’Neill’s rental income
In attempting to explain the expenditure of apparently excessive sums for his personal benefit Mr O’Neill claimed they were funded from rental income on his properties, which had been paid into PMFNRE on his behalf. At paragraph 12.4.25, the commission reported upon the procedures whereby PMFNRE accounted by monthly rental statements to Mr O’Neill for rental receipts.
Accordingly, payments were not made out of rentals unless they are detailed in the monthly rental statements.
Free rent for Minister Zemming
While investigating the rental payments, the commission discovered that rent was not charged for unit 105 Pacific View Apartments, which was occupied by Hon Mao Zemming, a Minister in the National Government. Mr O’Neill said Unit 403 was occupied by Mr Zemming’s first secretary Sam Basil and that Mr Basil’s company paid the rent for both apartments by one cheque.
Findings
At paragraph 12.4.25.1, the commission has found:
(a) Mr O’Neill’s statement that the payments out for his benefit are balanced by rental receipts from his rental properties managed by PMFNRE is not true; and
(b) Mr Zemming was occupying Unit 105 owned by Mr O’Neill rent free.
Money from Niugini Aviation Consultants and links to Chelsea Ltd
At paragraph 12.4.27 (12.4.21(f)), the commission revisited the Waigani land matters concerning money allegedly paid into Carter Newell Trust Account Niugini Aviation Consultants in Hong Kong. After the deposit was made large cheques were paid to PMFNRE, Biga Holdings and also a cheque for K333,200.00 for Chelsea Ltd.
A search of Chelsea Ltd shows probable links to Mr O’Neill (represented again by Jack Awela and other significant links).
Findings
At paragraph 12.4.26.1, the commission has found:
(a) There are clear links between the money from Hong Kong and each of PMFNRE and Mr O’Neill; the company Chelsea Security Limited and M Basil and Wandi Yamuna and the company Biga Holdings Limited owned by Ms Iaraga Asi (Mr Pok’s current partner);
(b) There are also rental arrangement links between Mr O’Neill, Chelsea Security and Mr Sam Basil and Hon. Mao Zemming and the commission so finds.
The relationship between Mr O’Neill and PMFNRE
At paragraph 12.5.2, the commission lists the many links between Mr O’Neill and PMFNRE, the many benefits he received from that company and the controls he exercised over the accounts and funds held by PMFNRE. The commission points out at paragraph 12.5.2.3 that:
(a) Mr O’Neill used PMFNRE as his banker with massive numbers of transactions treated as “Adjustments” and many entries on numbered sales ledgers attributable to Mr O’Neill and persons and companies associated with him and the commission so finds;
(b) Mr O’Neill also received funds for his personal benefit from sales “commissions” said to be earned by PMFNRE on property sales and which there were efforts to conceal;
(c) Mr O’Neill also borrowed large sums of money from PMFNRE, which were treated as “Adjustments” and many of which were not reimbursed even as late as 31st May 2001; and
(d) Mr O’Neill made, requested or gave directions to PMFNRE on multiple occasions concerned not only with his own funds but with funds derived from the NPF Tower fraud (credited to PMFNRE Ledgers 8, 9 and 18) and with transactions derived from those funds – one sees so often “REF P.ON” or “REF PO” or similar expressions that it is perfectly plain Mr O’Neill had dominion over these funds and gave directions in relation to them.
At paragraph 12.5.2.4 the commission describes how Mr O’Neill gave detailed directions to PMFNRE’s accountants on accounting matters. At paragraph 12.5.2.5, the commission reports on Companies Office records which show Mr Awela as owning 90 per cent of the shares in PMFNRE. Granted the commission’s previous findings that Mr Awela is a nominee for Mr O’Neill in Mecca No.36 Ltd, and Nama Coffee Exports Ltd, it is quite clear that Mr O’Neill himself owns the 90 per cent of shares in PMFNRE attributed to Mr Awela.
There are many reasons why Mr O’Neill would want to conceal his interests in PMFNRE including:
1. First, it would avoid the need for disclosure to the Ombudsman Commission during the time Mr O’Neill was executive chairman of Finance Pacific Group and subject to the Leadership Code;
2. Second, it would avoid the need for disclosure during the same period to PNGBC, which was a lender to each of these companies;
3. Third, it would conceal the fact that Mr O’Neill would receive benefits from the work that was directed to PMFNRE from the various Commercial Statutory Authorities; and
4. Fourth, it would mask Mr O’Neill’s connection with moneys that were being laundered through PMFNRE and used for purposes such as the acquisition of RIFL and the purchase by Bethgold Pty Limited of the Kanimbla property from Mr and Mrs Reynolds.
Findings
At paragraph 12.5.2.6, the commission has found that the:
(a) evidence is overwhelming that the true owner of PMFNRE is and was Mr O’Neill and that Maurice Sullivan and Mr Barker acted in accordance with his instructions.
(b) The commission recommends that the Prime Minister refer Mr O’Neill to the Ombudsman Commission to consider whether Mr O’Neill’s concealment of his interests in Nama Coffee Exports Pty Ltd and Port Moresby First National Real Estate Pty Ltd constitutes a breach of his duty under the Leadership Code and the need to submit full and honest Leadership Returns.
Concluding comments on the second acceleration claim
The investigation into the spurious second acceleration payment has clearly demonstrated that it involved a carefully planned fraud on the NPF, instigated and carried out by Jimmy Maladina, with the active involvement and support of Herman Leahy. Mr Leahy’s wife Ms Angelina Sariman played a supporting role as a principal offender.
Ken Yapane was also involved, at least as an accessory and receiver of fraudulently obtained money. The two managers of Kumagai Gumi were reluctant participants and are also principal offenders. Mr Fabila had knowledge of what was occurring. He failed to stop it and signed documents which helped to perpetrate the fraud.
The tracing of the NPF money, paid as six progress payments by Kumagai Gumi, plus the K150,000 personal commission for Mr Maladina shows quite clearly who the beneficiaries of most of the Tower fraud moneys were.
These included Mr Maladina and his wife and companies, Mr Leahy and his wife and companies and Mr Yapane.
Substantial amounts were paid into PMFNRE accounts and substantial parts of these moneys were paid for the benefit of Mr O’Neill.
This finding was vigorously denied by Mr O’Neill, who argued that although it appears on paper that payments for his benefit came from ledgers containing NPF Tower fraud money, he in fact had other moneys of his own in other PMFNRE accounts, which were the true and “innocent” source of moneys paid out to himself, his companies and his family company.
To assess Mr O’Neill’s claim, the commission made a thorough study of PMFNRE’s accounts and traced all moneys paid in and out on account of Mr O’Neill.
This conclusively showed that Mr O’Neill had definitely benefitted from the proceeds of the NPF Tower fraud. It also showed that, despite his denial’s, Mr O’Neill is the beneficial owner of PMFNRE and that Mr Sullivan and Mr Awela are his nominee shareholders.
It is quite clear that there is a relationship between Mr Maladina and Mr O’Neill whereby they have benefitted jointly from the NPF Tower fraud.
The Proposed Sale Of 50 Per Cent Of NPF Tower To PNG Harbours Board
1. In paragraph 13 of Schedule 6, the commission describes the failed attempt by NPF to sell a 50 per cent ownership in NPF Tower to the Papua New Guinea Harbours Board (PNGHB) for K40 million.
The idea of selling off an interest in the uncompleted NPF Tower was a good one because it would enable NPF to pay off some of its K59 million debt to the PNGBC, the interest on which was a crippling burden to NPF.
The commission reports how a small group of conspirators plotted and manipulated events hoping to ensure that:
- Maurice Sullivan of PMFNRE would be appointed NPF’s agent to arrange the sale but this was without the knowledge and approval of the NPF board;
- NPF management would agree to pay 2.5 per cent commission to Mr Sullivan, which was then raised to 5 per cent, (K2 million) without the knowledge or approval of the NPF board;
- Mr Sullivan would take advantage of the inexperience of the PNGHB chairman John Orea to obtain his signature to a contract of sale;
- The board of the PNGHB would then approve the purchase of 50 per cent of the NPF Tower for K40 million with the responsibility to pay the K2 million commission to PMFNRE being shared between NPF and the PNGHB;
2. Fortunately, the management of the PNGHB, under managing director Bobby Kaivepa, resisted the political pressure and prepared an excellent brief to the members of the PNGHB pointing out that:
(a) PNGHB had no legal power to enter the agreement;
(b) the proposal was not financially viable; and
(c) PNGHB lacked the required funds and had no power to borrow for this purpose.
3. The sale to PNGHB was then dropped by NPF. Throughout the negotiations Mr Leahy and Mr Fabila had deliberately refrained from mentioning the unauthorised agency agreement entered into with PMFNRE and the 5 per cent commission, which had already been agreed by Mr Fabila and Mr Sullivan.
On the evidence, it is clear that this idea was being promoted in NPF mostly by Mr Maladina and Mr Leahy, with Mr Fabila’s support.
Mr Sullivan was obviously a principal in the conspiracy.
In relation to the attempted sale to the PNGHB, at the paragraphs in Schedule 6 referred to below, the commission has found that:
At paragraph 13.1.3:
(a) Mr Leahy was not in direct discussion with Mr Emilio;
(b) Mr Leahy, without any authority from the NPF board or Mr Fabila, engaged PMFNRE as NPF’s agent to sell equity in The Tower Pty Limited;
(c) Mr Leahy suppressed the fact that he had engaged PMFNRE from Mr Fabila and the NPF board.
(d) Mr Leahy provided false information to the NPF board that he was holding direct discussions with Mr Emilio and in failing to disclose his engagement of PMFNRE;
Paragraph 13.1.5:
(a) Mr Leahy exceeded his authority in entering arrangements with PMFNRE in August 1998 without the approval of the NPF board or Mr Fabila;
(b) Mr Leahy was the recipient of Mr Sullivan’s letter of March 5, 1999, and the author of Mr Fabila’s letter of March 10, 1999. Mr Leahy exceeded his authority in entering into these altered arrangements with PMFNRE in March 1999 without NPF board and Ministerial approval. Mr Leahy was remiss in his duty to fully and properly inform Mr Fabila of the content and legal effect of the letter of March 10, 1999, which he arranged for Mr Fabila to sign;
(c) Mr Fabila was remiss in his duty as managing director of NPF in signing the letter of March 10, 1999, without properly reading and understanding it and without apprehending that the letter constituted a contract beyond his approved financial delegation, which required both NPF board and Ministerial approval;
(d) February/ March 1999 was a time of financial crisis at NPF and concurrently with this arrangement, Mr Leahy was heavily involved in the Waigani Land proposal and the NPF Tower claims with Kumagai. In those contexts, Mr Leahy also wrote and arranged for Mr Fabila to sign other letters in respect of which Mr Leahy also did not fully and frankly brief Mr Fabila; and
(e) MR Leahy, Mr Sullivan and Mr Fabila should be referred to the Commissioner of Police to consider whether charges of criminal conspiracy, attempted fraud or other offences should be brought against them.
Paragraph 13.4.1:
Both Mr Fabila and Mr Leahy failed in their duties in not fully and frankly informing the board of this contractua* obligation they had entered into to pay 5 per cent commission to Mr Sullivan and by not openly seeking board ratification of their action despite the clear opportunity to do so.
Paragraph 13.5.5.1:
The commission finds, on the balance of probabilities, that it is likely that this approval was prepared in Carter Newell’s office after March 25, but backdated to March 22.
There are at least two possible explanations for the sense of urgency about obtaining the Minister’s approval for the sale of 50 per cent of the Tower to the PNGHB. Firstly, NPF desperately needed the money. Secondly, the conspirators were greedily awaiting payment of the 5 per cent commission.
The three identical approvals by Ministers Lasaro, Pok and Auali, which were sent to the PNGHB were also dated 22nd March 1999, but were worded differently from the approval faxed from Carter Newell on 1st August 1999.
Paragraph 13.15:
(a) THE approval for the sale of 50 per cent equity in the NPF Tower signed by Minister Lasaro dated March 22, 1999, which was faxed by Carter Newell Lawyers to NPF on April 1, 1999, was drawn up by Carter Newell and backdated to March 22, 1999;
(b) The approvals to sell to the PNGHB which were given by Ministers Lasaro, Pok and Auali, dated March 22 and 24, 1999, were also drawn up by Carter Newell, for the purpose of applying pressure on the management and members of the PNGHB to approve the purchase of 50 per cent of the NPF Tower;
(c) Mr Leahy acted unprofessionally in drawing up a certificate recording a circular resolution of the NPF board dated March 26, 1999, without indicating that it had not been ratified by the board at a properly constituted meeting and that it was therefore not a valid board resolution;
(d) THE payment to Kumagai authorised by Mr Fabila on March 31, 1999, was part of a fraudulent scam involving Mr Leahy and Mr Maladina to fraudulently obtain K2,505,000 for the benefit of Mr Maladina. On the face of the documents Mr Fabila was also involved;
(e) The responsibility for the scam involving the 5 per cent (K2 million) commission to Mr Sullivan of PMFNRE lies with Mr Leahy, Mr Maladina and Mr Sullivan. On the face of the documents, Mr Fabila was also involved;
(f) MR Fabila as managing director and Mr Maladina as chairman, knowingly withheld from the NPF board the fact that Mr Fabila had signed an agreement to pay Mr Sullivan of PMFNRE a 5 per cent commission on the sale of the 50 per cent interest in The Tower. This was a breach of fiduciary duty by Mr Fabila and Mr Maladina.
(g) In relation to the attempted sale to PNGHB, it is recommended that the Prime Minister should refer the following people to the authorities named:
(i) TO the commissioner for Police – Herman Leahy, Jimmy Maladina, Henry Fabila, Maurice Sullivan, and Angelina Sariman to consider criminal charges;
(ii) TO the Papua New Guinea Law Society – Mr Leahy and Mr Maladina and Ms Sariman to consider disciplinary measures.
TO BE CONTINUED
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