Governor Kodep was charged by the Office of the Special Prosecutor with conversion of public funds, misconduct in public office and money laundering.
The information filed in court yesterday stated that “from April 2003 until 2007 on at least 100 separate occasions, Kodep committed the offense of conversion of public funds by embezzling, stealing, purloining or knowingly converting to his use own use funds of the Melekeok State Government, in that defendant stole and converted to his own use funds in excess of $100 belonging to the Melekeok State Treasury.”The information stated that Kodep “on at least 100 separate occasions, committed the offense of Misconduct in public office by being a public official, did illegal acts under the color of office.”The information stated that Kodep “did acquire, possess and control property that he knew was the proceeds of the crimes referenced in Count one of this information.”The affidavit of probable cause stated that on April 21, 2009, Senior Criminal Investigator Bradley Kumangai interviewed a witness who stated that she had been an employee of the Melekeok State Government for the past 25 years, mostly, under Kodep’s administration.The witness was assigned by the Governor to take other responsibilities such as accounting works which include issuing receipts, receiving payments, making deposits, withdrawals and issuing checks.The affidavit stated that Kodep on numerous occasions had asked the witness to justify payments and cash that he received.The affidavit stated that the witness did not comply with Kodep’s request because he never submits receipts to her whenever a check or cash is issued to him.The affidavit stated that the money was used to pay Kodep’s personal loan at Bank of Hawaii.The document added that Kodep signed his own affidavit and admitted the allegations and is willing to take full responsibilities for his wrong actions.Kodep’s affidavit was written in Palauan.
