The correctional court delivered its ruling with an assorted sentence of one year suspended jail term, a fine of two million French Pacific francs ($21,500) and one year of ineligibility to hold any elected political mandate.
The case was related to the eve of French Polynesia’s general elections on 23 May, 2004, when results from the poll ere announced.
Flosse, who at the time was the incumbent president seeking re-election, was then confident he would secure a sufficient majority in the 57-MP House to govern another term.
He had then organized a lavish cocktail party to celebrate the much-expected victory for his party, the Tahoeraa Huiraatira.
As it turned out, election results showed a landslide victory for his long-time political foe, pro-independence Oscar Temaru.
But the catering company has delivered the food and service and presented its bill a few days later, under a new government.
After he took office, Temaru then refused to pay the catering bill of close to $25,000 US for the reception that had been seriously dampened by Flosse’s defeat.
In handing out the ruling, the tribunal said the party had been financed by public funds whereas in was in fact deemed to be a “private” event.
Flosse’s lawyer, François Quinquis, said he would appeal the ruling.
Tahoeraa treasurer Mate Tuihani and accountant Marc Fareata were also found guilty and sentenced to ten and six months suspended jail, as well as a fine of $5,400 and $2,150 respectively.
