ONE Link Pacifica’s owner, Charles Dora who was accused of registering the One Link Pacifica scheme without applying for a bank’s licenses is seeking a ‘plea deal’ with the prosecution.
Dora’s matter was listed for plea yesterday after his lawyer sought an adjournment on the last date to go through his file.
Appearing in court, Public Prosecutor Vernon Taupongi informed the court of a proposal that he had just received from Dora’s lawyer.
Mr Taupongi said he needs time to review the proposal before passing it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for her endorsement on whether or not they will accept the ‘plea deal’ or not.
When asked as to what the representation was in relation to, Mr. Taupongi said it in relation to the charges.
“…it is for the prosecution to withdrawn one charge and for the accused to plea to another charge,” he said.
Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison therefore adjourned the matter to August 10 for plea.
The Prosecution was also ordered to confirm their position with respect to the ‘plea deal’ on that day.
Dora is facing two counts of operating unlicensed banking business, charges laid under the Financial Institution Act (FIA) on July 22.
He was accused of registering the One Link Pacifica at the Company Haus on 4 July 2019 without applying for a license under the FIA to engage in business of banking in Solomon Islands.
Dora allegedly continues on to run the investment scheme where he recruited agents (mentors) for people to come along and invest their money through them.
The essence of the scheme is that investors give money towards the company on promise there will be higher return after 30 days of investment.
The investor gave money through manual and online streams.
Dora allegedly managed the online stream while his co-accused Gerrad Tauohu manned the manual stream.
He allegedly collected deposits from the mentors by way of online deposits.
Prosecution further alleged following the establishment and registration of the scheme, huge number of the public invested their money through Dora’s agencies totaling up to $56,440, 475 ($56 million).
Prosecution alleged that the money went missing and was not recovered until today.
Between December 2019 and March last year, investors had not received their money as promised and within that period, CBSI warned public members about the operation of the scheme.
On 4 March last year, CBSI wrote to Dora to make available to CBSI records, books or accounts relating to the business for examination within seven working days pursuant to FIA but Dora allegedly did not do so.
Dora was arrested by police on June 1 this year at his residence in Russell Islands, Central Province.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN BONGIDANI
Newsroom, Honiara