Former Plant Manager for Palau National Telecommunications Corporation (PNCC) Stalin Bai and Clinton Freese, current PNCC Resources Manager both pled not guilty to charges of Second Degree Theft of Government Properties brought against them by the Office of the Attorney General this month.
Information accompanying the charges alleges that Stalin Bai committed theft of 1 Honda Elemax SHX Generator, 1 Forney MIG Welder and 1 Makita Cordless Drill valued over $300 from PNCC.
In addition, the information also alleges that Clinton Freese also knowingly removed without proper authority 1 PULSAR 600W generator and 1 Suzuki Mini Flatbed Truck, a Theft in Second Degree of properties of PNCC.
Both of these charges are Class C Felony charges punishable for up to 1 year in jail or fine of up to $1,000 or both.
Affidavit filed by Police Officer Randal Ngirengkoi stated that the investigation stemmed from a 2019 report filed by Mr. Clinton Freese on behalf of PNCC regarding a missing water blaster taken from the storage container without permission.
He said after the case was re-assigned to him in August 2020, his investigations and interviews with staff and management of PNCC revealed that this issue of missing PNCC properties was not an isolated incident but a “pattern of ongoing theft at PNCC.” He was provided a list of items by PNCC that were considered stolen because no official authorization has been given for their removal from PNCC storage.
Further interviews with other former PNCC employee, he was informed that some of the missing items were seen in Mr. Bai’s residence and Mr. Freese’s residence. Search warrant on both locations yielded the missing items containing PNCC property tags and serial numbers.
These items have not been reported stolen by PNCC but no official authorization has been given for their removal from PNCC’s storage site and as such, government charged the defendants with theft of government properties.
Both defendants posted bail of $200 each pending trial scheduled for January 5th, 2021.