A Marshall Islands cabinet minister has pleaded no contest to three charges related to allegations of theft and misconduct in office.
Kenneth Kedi originally pleaded not guilty to ten charges ranging from grand larceny to misconduct in office, over allegations he was improperly reimbursed for office furniture and that he cashed a cheque made out to a local government.
Our correspondent, Giff Johnson, says the case was only over about 2000 US dollars.
"In the agreement with the Attorney General's office, the AG's office dropped seven of the charges. He pleaded no contest to three. And then the judge has given him a 30 day suspended jail term, and ordered him to pay a thousand (US) dollar fine."
Giff Johnson says Mr Kedi will continue as the minister for transportation and communications.
