Lawyer convicted of taking government funds

Paul Paraka, a prominent Papua New Guinea lawyer and businessman, has been convicted of misappropriating over $US45 million (NZ$74.8m) in government funds. According to the Post Courier, Justice Teresa Berrigan found Paraka guilty in the National Court of all five charges brought against him by the government. These outlined that between 2007 and 2011, Paraka misappropriated $US45.8m. ‘‘The monies were paid to PKP nominees, a property investment company wholly owned and directed by the accused or to the accounts of seven other law firms who were also named,’’ the newspaper reported. –