More Charges to be Filed against Former Bank Employee who Admitted to Stealing $80k

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Translated from FaaSamoa, Mulinuu Apia Samoa. A former ANZ bank employee who already admitted to stealing $80,000 tala from her previous employer is likely to be facing additional charges of theft as a servant.

Seira Malifa, 38, of Nuu-Fou and Safotu had entered an early guilty plea when she appeared before Justice Ameperosa Roma in January 2023.

The Court heard the former branch manager had set up fake loan applications, which she herself approved, and then withdrew the funds for personal use.

A sophisticated system of putting through more loans to ensure all others were properly serviced and paid off in time was being juggled by the accused when the matter finally surfaced in November 2022.

At the time, Deputy Police Commissioner Papalii Monalisa Tiai-Keti confirmed an investigation had been launched in response to a formal complaint filed by the ANZ bank against Ms Malifa.

When the matter was called before the Supreme Court on Monday morning, however, Prosecution requested more time to file additional charges.

The Supreme Court adjourned the sentencing of Ms Malifa and allowed police a one week adjournment to finalise charges.